Living in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sugar Mountain · Census data 2020–2024
Sugar Mountain has 539 residents with a median age of 66.8. The median household income is $96,094 (33% higher than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $343,800, the median rent is $1,500/month.
Sugar Mountain is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Sugar Mountain at a glance
- Population
- 539
- Median age
- 66.8State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $96,094State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $343,800State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,500/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 93%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 65.3%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Sugar Mountain a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 33% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 18 minutes; a poverty rate of 6.3%.
Cons: Home values 19% higher than the state median; unemployment of 8.4%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Sugar Mountain
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sugar Mountain the median home value is $343,800, 3% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,500 per month, which is 51% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,898 a month in housing costs.
Sugar Mountain median household income
The median household income in Sugar Mountain is $96,094 and the income per person is $90,458. 6.3% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Sugar Mountain: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,710
- Owner-occupied
- 93%
- Renter-occupied
- 7%
- Vacant
- 81.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1985
- Average household size
- 1.72
81.7% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Sugar Mountain has many vacation and second homes.
Sugar Mountain demographics
- Population
- 539
- Median age
- 66.8
- Under 18
- 9.3%
- 65 and older
- 52.5%
- Households
- 313
- Foreign-born
- 6.9%
- Veterans
- 8.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sugar Mountain ›
Education in Sugar Mountain
65.3% of adults 25 and older in Sugar Mountain have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 30.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sugar Mountain
- Unemployment rate
- 8.4%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 26.2%
- Drive alone
- 68.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.7%
Sugar Mountain vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Mountain | 539 | $96,094 | $343,800 | $1,500 |
| Banner Elk | 1,473 | $86,382 | $458,100 | $849 |
| Seven Devils | 425 | $111,667 | $426,900 | $1,583 |
| Linville | 291 | $75,833 | — | — |
| Newland | 866 | $46,006 | $241,700 | $792 |
| Foscoe | 1,226 | $49,243 | $325,800 | $928 |
| Beech Mountain | 987 | $90,855 | $443,500 | $1,137 |
| Elk Park | 560 | $41,583 | $160,400 | $241 |
| Blowing Rock | 992 | $120,938 | $705,000 | $1,278 |
More for people moving to Sugar Mountain
Sugar Mountain ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sugar Mountain: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sugar Mountain, NC?
The median household income in Sugar Mountain is $96,094, 33% 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 Sugar Mountain?
The median home value in Sugar Mountain is $343,800, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Sugar Mountain?
The median gross rent in Sugar Mountain is $1,500 per month, about 51% of household income.
Is Sugar Mountain, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 33% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 18 minutes; a poverty rate of 6.3%. Minuses: home values 19% higher than the state median; unemployment of 8.4%.
What is the median age in Sugar Mountain?
The median age in Sugar Mountain is 66.8 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Sugar Mountain?
The average commute to work in Sugar Mountain is 18 minutes; 26.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sugar Mountain?
The unemployment rate in Sugar Mountain is 8.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sugar Mountain?
65.3% of adults in Sugar Mountain 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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