Living in Mills River, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Mills River · Census data 2020–2024
Mills River has 7,281 residents with a median age of 46.4. The median household income is $105,398 (46% higher than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $436,100, the median rent is $1,551/month.
Mills River at a glance
- Population
- 7,281
- Median age
- 46.4State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $105,398State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $436,100State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,551/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 85.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 43.7%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Mills River a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 46% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 2.8%; a poverty rate of 2.6%.
Cons: Home values 51% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Mills River
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Mills River the median home value is $436,100, 31% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,551 per month, which is 19.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,907 a month in housing costs.
Mills River median household income
The median household income in Mills River is $105,398 and the income per person is $46,796. 2.6% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Mills River: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 3,172
- Owner-occupied
- 85.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 14.4%
- Vacant
- 14%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1997
- Average household size
- 2.66
Mills River demographics
- Population
- 7,281
- Median age
- 46.4
- Under 18
- 21.7%
- 65 and older
- 24.3%
- Households
- 2,727
- Foreign-born
- 7.4%
- Veterans
- 8.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Mills River ›
Education in Mills River
43.7% of adults 25 and older in Mills River have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 18.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Mills River
- Unemployment rate
- 2.8%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 11.5%
- Drive alone
- 76.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.7%
Mills River vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mills River | 7,281 | $105,398 | $436,100 | $1,551 |
| Horse Shoe | 1,490 | $64,096 | $407,500 | — |
| Mountain Home | 3,437 | $83,083 | $400,000 | $1,240 |
| Etowah | 7,968 | $72,596 | $338,100 | $1,413 |
| Fletcher | 8,098 | $75,272 | $331,100 | $1,484 |
| Avery Creek | 2,887 | $113,261 | $412,900 | — |
| Balfour | 1,134 | $70,116 | $292,600 | $591 |
| Laurel Park | 2,408 | $90,000 | $433,100 | $1,418 |
| Valley Hill | 2,675 | $86,599 | $353,100 | — |
More for people moving to Mills River
Mills River ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Mills River: FAQ
What is the median household income in Mills River, NC?
The median household income in Mills River is $105,398, 46% higher 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 Mills River?
The median home value in Mills River is $436,100, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Mills River?
The median gross rent in Mills River is $1,551 per month, about 19.4% of household income.
Is Mills River, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 46% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 2.8%; a poverty rate of 2.6%. Minuses: home values 51% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Mills River?
The median age in Mills River is 46.4 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Mills River?
The average commute to work in Mills River is 21 minutes; 11.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Mills River?
The unemployment rate in Mills River is 2.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Mills River?
43.7% of adults in Mills River 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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