Living in Drexel, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Drexel · Census data 2020–2024
Drexel has 2,146 residents with a median age of 47.2. The median household income is $61,992 (14% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $214,400, the median rent is $590/month.
Drexel at a glance
- Population
- 2,146
- Median age
- 47.2State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $61,992State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $214,400State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $590/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 72%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23.2%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Drexel a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 26% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.7%.
Cons: Median household income 14% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 13.7%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Drexel
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Drexel the median home value is $214,400, 36% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $590 per month, which is 28.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,356 a month in housing costs.
Drexel median household income
The median household income in Drexel is $61,992 and the income per person is $32,950. 11.7% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Drexel: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 940
- Owner-occupied
- 72%
- Renter-occupied
- 28%
- Vacant
- 8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1974
- Average household size
- 2.36
Drexel demographics
- Population
- 2,146
- Median age
- 47.2
- Under 18
- 20.9%
- 65 and older
- 22%
- Households
- 865
- Foreign-born
- 5%
- Veterans
- 3.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Drexel ›
Education in Drexel
23.2% of adults 25 and older in Drexel have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 8.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Drexel
- Unemployment rate
- 13.7%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 5.7%
- Drive alone
- 83.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.2%
Drexel vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drexel | 2,146 | $61,992 | $214,400 | $590 |
| Valdese | 4,704 | $50,740 | $209,800 | $665 |
| Rutherford College | 1,374 | $67,500 | $185,600 | $853 |
| Morganton | 17,646 | $51,355 | $221,700 | $944 |
| Connelly Springs | 2,427 | $54,620 | $206,500 | $884 |
| Salem | 2,377 | $68,988 | $159,100 | $856 |
| Gamewell | 3,689 | $46,556 | $170,100 | $808 |
| Cajah's Mountain | 2,704 | $53,361 | $201,800 | $729 |
| Sawmills | 5,042 | $71,067 | $219,600 | $730 |
More for people moving to Drexel
Drexel ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Drexel: FAQ
What is the median household income in Drexel, NC?
The median household income in Drexel is $61,992, 14% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Drexel?
The median home value in Drexel is $214,400, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Drexel?
The median gross rent in Drexel is $590 per month, about 28.4% of household income.
Is Drexel, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 26% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.7%. Minuses: median household income 14% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 13.7%.
What is the median age in Drexel?
The median age in Drexel is 47.2 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Drexel?
The average commute to work in Drexel is 20 minutes; 5.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Drexel?
The unemployment rate in Drexel is 13.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Drexel?
23.2% of adults in Drexel have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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