Living in Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Spruce Pine · Census data 2020–2024
Spruce Pine has 2,398 residents with a median age of 48.6. The median household income is $42,098 (42% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $207,500, the median rent is $837/month.
Spruce Pine at a glance
- Population
- 2,398
- Median age
- 48.6State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $42,098State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $207,500State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $837/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 64.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.4%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Spruce Pine a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 28% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 1.8%.
Cons: Median household income 42% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 22.5%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Spruce Pine
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Spruce Pine the median home value is $207,500, 38% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $837 per month, which is 29.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,402 a month in housing costs.
Spruce Pine median household income
The median household income in Spruce Pine is $42,098 and the income per person is $28,834. 22.5% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Spruce Pine: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,228
- Owner-occupied
- 64.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 35.6%
- Vacant
- 9.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1968
- Average household size
- 2.09
Spruce Pine demographics
- Population
- 2,398
- Median age
- 48.6
- Under 18
- 15.1%
- 65 and older
- 21.7%
- Households
- 1,111
- Foreign-born
- 8.1%
- Veterans
- 5.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Spruce Pine ›
Education in Spruce Pine
24.4% of adults 25 and older in Spruce Pine have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 11.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Spruce Pine
- Unemployment rate
- 1.8%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 3.9%
- Drive alone
- 80.6%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.1%
Spruce Pine vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spruce Pine | 2,398 | $42,098 | $207,500 | $837 |
| Bakersville | 747 | $50,263 | $231,300 | $504 |
| Burnsville | 2,082 | $50,997 | $243,500 | $862 |
| Newland | 866 | $46,006 | $241,700 | $792 |
| Linville | 291 | $75,833 | — | — |
| Nebo | 1,670 | $50,139 | $129,800 | $1,087 |
| Marion | 7,579 | $51,314 | $163,500 | $762 |
| Elk Park | 560 | $41,583 | $160,400 | $241 |
| West Marion | 1,066 | $36,715 | $161,600 | $866 |
More for people moving to Spruce Pine
Spruce Pine ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Spruce Pine: FAQ
What is the median household income in Spruce Pine, NC?
The median household income in Spruce Pine is $42,098, 42% 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 Spruce Pine?
The median home value in Spruce Pine is $207,500, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Spruce Pine?
The median gross rent in Spruce Pine is $837 per month, about 29.3% of household income.
Is Spruce Pine, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 28% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 1.8%. Minuses: median household income 42% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 22.5%.
What is the median age in Spruce Pine?
The median age in Spruce Pine is 48.6 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Spruce Pine?
The average commute to work in Spruce Pine is 22 minutes; 3.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Spruce Pine?
The unemployment rate in Spruce Pine is 1.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Spruce Pine?
24.4% of adults in Spruce Pine 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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