Living in Oriental, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Oriental · Census data 2020–2024
Oriental has 873 residents with a median age of 69.6. The median household income is $57,880 (20% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $422,900, the median rent is $1,138/month.
Oriental is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Oriental at a glance
- Population
- 873
- Median age
- 69.6State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $57,880State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $422,900State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,138/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 84.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 51%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Oriental a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 1%; a poverty rate of 7.7%.
Cons: Median household income 20% lower than the North Carolina median; home values 46% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Oriental
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Oriental the median home value is $422,900, 27% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,138 per month, which is 41% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,804 a month in housing costs.
Oriental median household income
The median household income in Oriental is $57,880 and the income per person is $48,805. 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Oriental: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 776
- Owner-occupied
- 84.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 15.6%
- Vacant
- 28%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1993
- Average household size
- 1.56
Oriental demographics
- Population
- 873
- Median age
- 69.6
- Under 18
- 1.9%
- 65 and older
- 70.7%
- Households
- 559
- Foreign-born
- 7.3%
- Veterans
- 21.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Oriental ›
Education in Oriental
51% of adults 25 and older in Oriental have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 29.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Oriental
- Unemployment rate
- 1%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 23.7%
- Drive alone
- 62.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 5.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.3%
Oriental vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oriental | 873 | $57,880 | $422,900 | $1,138 |
| Stonewall | 131 | $50,000 | $134,400 | — |
| Minnesott Beach | 593 | $73,690 | $292,200 | $1,405 |
| Bayboro | 1,266 | $33,636 | $138,000 | $1,084 |
| Cherry Branch | 1,684 | $104,432 | $262,200 | $1,706 |
| Alliance | 709 | $50,341 | $142,400 | $497 |
| Vandemere | 209 | $35,833 | $108,100 | — |
| Mesic | 205 | $47,750 | $160,500 | — |
| Grantsboro | 645 | $54,583 | $153,800 | $838 |
More for people moving to Oriental
Oriental ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Oriental: FAQ
What is the median household income in Oriental, NC?
The median household income in Oriental is $57,880, 20% 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 Oriental?
The median home value in Oriental is $422,900, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Oriental?
The median gross rent in Oriental is $1,138 per month, about 41% of household income.
Is Oriental, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 1%; a poverty rate of 7.7%. Minuses: median household income 20% lower than the North Carolina median; home values 46% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Oriental?
The median age in Oriental is 69.6 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Oriental?
The average commute to work in Oriental is 22 minutes; 23.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Oriental?
The unemployment rate in Oriental is 1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Oriental?
51% of adults in Oriental 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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