Living in Hays, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Hays · Census data 2020–2024
Hays has 1,053 residents with a median age of 48.2. The median household income is $55,035 (24% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $183,800.
Hays is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Hays at a glance
- Population
- 1,053
- Median age
- 48.2State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $55,035State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $183,800State: $288,900
- Homeowners
- 94.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16.9%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Hays a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 36% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 4.9%.
Cons: Median household income 24% lower than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 26 minutes.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Hays
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Hays the median home value is $183,800, 45% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $953 a month in housing costs.
Hays median household income
The median household income in Hays is $55,035 and the income per person is $35,781. 4.9% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Hays: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 562
- Owner-occupied
- 94.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 5.5%
- Vacant
- 16.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1991
- Average household size
- 2.25
Hays demographics
- Population
- 1,053
- Median age
- 48.2
- Under 18
- 14.6%
- 65 and older
- 19.4%
- Households
- 469
- Foreign-born
- 9.6%
- Veterans
- 9.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Hays ›
Education in Hays
16.9% of adults 25 and older in Hays have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Hays
- Unemployment rate
- 0%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 3.9%
- Drive alone
- 84%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.5%
Hays vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hays | 1,053 | $55,035 | $183,800 | — |
| Mulberry | 2,037 | $51,919 | $172,400 | $604 |
| Fairplains | 1,803 | $38,585 | $140,200 | $653 |
| North Wilkesboro | 4,421 | $38,474 | $212,700 | $599 |
| Cricket | 2,317 | $39,859 | $140,600 | $773 |
| Millers Creek | 1,689 | $63,125 | $227,200 | $695 |
| Wilkesboro | 3,646 | $40,907 | $223,700 | $764 |
| Ronda | 436 | $48,393 | $109,500 | $875 |
| Moravian Falls | 1,285 | $47,548 | $218,800 | $700 |
More for people moving to Hays
Hays ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Hays: FAQ
What is the median household income in Hays, NC?
The median household income in Hays is $55,035, 24% 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 Hays?
The median home value in Hays is $183,800, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
Is Hays, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 36% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 4.9%. Minuses: median household income 24% lower than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 26 minutes.
What is the median age in Hays?
The median age in Hays is 48.2 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Hays?
The average commute to work in Hays is 26 minutes; 3.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Hays?
The unemployment rate in Hays is 0% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Hays?
16.9% of adults in Hays 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.
Last updated: