Living in Northwest, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Northwest · Census data 2020–2024
Northwest has 885 residents with a median age of 51.5. The median household income is $53,214 (26% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $225,900, the median rent is $825/month.
Northwest is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Northwest at a glance
- Population
- 885
- Median age
- 51.5State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $53,214State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $225,900State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $825/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 89.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25.8%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Northwest a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 22% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 26% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 10.3%; a poverty rate of 19.1%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Northwest
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Northwest the median home value is $225,900, 32% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $825 per month, which is 30.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,401 a month in housing costs.
Northwest median household income
The median household income in Northwest is $53,214 and the income per person is $31,342. 19.1% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Northwest: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 496
- Owner-occupied
- 89.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 10.7%
- Vacant
- 7.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1997
- Average household size
- 1.92
Northwest demographics
- Population
- 885
- Median age
- 51.5
- Under 18
- 13.4%
- 65 and older
- 25.5%
- Households
- 460
- Foreign-born
- 2.4%
- Veterans
- 5.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Northwest ›
Education in Northwest
25.8% of adults 25 and older in Northwest have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 9.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Northwest
- Unemployment rate
- 10.3%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 14.4%
- Drive alone
- 80.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 81.7%
Northwest vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest | 885 | $53,214 | $225,900 | $825 |
| Sandy Creek | 300 | $61,250 | $151,300 | $785 |
| Riegelwood | 649 | $49,583 | $200,300 | — |
| Delco | 258 | $86,721 | — | — |
| Navassa | 2,039 | $62,000 | $187,100 | $1,313 |
| Leland | 29,607 | $91,977 | $398,900 | $1,735 |
| Sandyfield | 763 | $41,667 | $69,100 | $885 |
| Belville | 2,573 | $81,944 | $282,600 | $1,798 |
| East Arcadia | 444 | $44,063 | $128,100 | $439 |
More for people moving to Northwest
Northwest ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Northwest: FAQ
What is the median household income in Northwest, NC?
The median household income in Northwest is $53,214, 26% 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 Northwest?
The median home value in Northwest is $225,900, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Northwest?
The median gross rent in Northwest is $825 per month, about 30.4% of household income.
Is Northwest, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 22% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 26% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 10.3%; a poverty rate of 19.1%.
What is the median age in Northwest?
The median age in Northwest is 51.5 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Northwest?
The average commute to work in Northwest is 21 minutes; 14.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Northwest?
The unemployment rate in Northwest is 10.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Northwest?
25.8% of adults in Northwest 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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