Living in Elm City, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Elm City · Census data 2020–2024
Elm City has 1,292 residents with a median age of 43.1. The median household income is $36,150 (50% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $109,300, the median rent is $859/month.
Elm City is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Elm City at a glance
- Population
- 1,292
- Median age
- 43.1State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $36,150State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $109,300State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $859/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 58.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 10.7%
- Average commute
- 28 min
Is Elm City a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 62% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 50% lower than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 8.8%; a poverty rate of 33.7%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Elm City
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Elm City the median home value is $109,300, 67% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $859 per month, which is 24.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,075 a month in housing costs.
Elm City median household income
The median household income in Elm City is $36,150 and the income per person is $22,689. 33.7% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Elm City: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 612
- Owner-occupied
- 58.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 41.9%
- Vacant
- 12.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1977
- Average household size
- 2.41
Elm City demographics
- Population
- 1,292
- Median age
- 43.1
- Under 18
- 25.1%
- 65 and older
- 26.7%
- Households
- 537
- Foreign-born
- 0.3%
- Veterans
- 6.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Elm City ›
Education in Elm City
10.7% of adults 25 and older in Elm City have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Elm City
- Unemployment rate
- 8.8%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 28 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 11.2%
- Drive alone
- 80.5%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.9%
Elm City vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elm City | 1,292 | $36,150 | $109,300 | $859 |
| Sharpsburg | 1,605 | $54,709 | $121,900 | $954 |
| Wilson | 48,370 | $52,485 | $210,700 | $971 |
| Macclesfield | 391 | $56,000 | $135,200 | $796 |
| Saratoga | 291 | $30,469 | $97,900 | $800 |
| Rocky Mount | 54,297 | $55,534 | $165,700 | $957 |
| Sims | 522 | $78,267 | $196,900 | $1,027 |
| Pinetops | 1,426 | $60,458 | $136,500 | $815 |
| Black Creek | 749 | $53,750 | $112,200 | $868 |
More for people moving to Elm City
Elm City ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Elm City: FAQ
What is the median household income in Elm City, NC?
The median household income in Elm City is $36,150, 50% 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 Elm City?
The median home value in Elm City is $109,300, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Elm City?
The median gross rent in Elm City is $859 per month, about 24.1% of household income.
Is Elm City, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 62% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 50% lower than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 8.8%; a poverty rate of 33.7%.
What is the median age in Elm City?
The median age in Elm City is 43.1 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Elm City?
The average commute to work in Elm City is 28 minutes; 11.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Elm City?
The unemployment rate in Elm City is 8.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Elm City?
10.7% of adults in Elm City 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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