Living in Valdese, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Valdese · Census data 2020–2024
Valdese has 4,704 residents with a median age of 52.6. The median household income is $50,740 (30% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $209,800, the median rent is $665/month.
Valdese at a glance
- Population
- 4,704
- Median age
- 52.6State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $50,740State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $209,800State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $665/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 72.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 37.2%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Valdese a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 27% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 12.8%.
Cons: Median household income 30% lower than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 5.8%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Valdese
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Valdese the median home value is $209,800, 37% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $665 per month, which is 25.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,357 a month in housing costs.
Valdese median household income
The median household income in Valdese is $50,740 and the income per person is $41,651. 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Valdese: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,427
- Owner-occupied
- 72.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 27.1%
- Vacant
- 2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1968
- Average household size
- 1.93
Valdese demographics
- Population
- 4,704
- Median age
- 52.6
- Under 18
- 18%
- 65 and older
- 25.7%
- Households
- 2,378
- Foreign-born
- 5.7%
- Veterans
- 7.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Valdese ›
Education in Valdese
37.2% of adults 25 and older in Valdese have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 14.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Valdese
- Unemployment rate
- 5.8%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 10.9%
- Drive alone
- 87.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.9%
Valdese vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valdese | 4,704 | $50,740 | $209,800 | $665 |
| Drexel | 2,146 | $61,992 | $214,400 | $590 |
| Rutherford College | 1,374 | $67,500 | $185,600 | $853 |
| Connelly Springs | 2,427 | $54,620 | $206,500 | $884 |
| Icard | 2,153 | $44,641 | $141,800 | $842 |
| Sawmills | 5,042 | $71,067 | $219,600 | $730 |
| Cajah's Mountain | 2,704 | $53,361 | $201,800 | $729 |
| Morganton | 17,646 | $51,355 | $221,700 | $944 |
| Gamewell | 3,689 | $46,556 | $170,100 | $808 |
More for people moving to Valdese
Valdese ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Valdese: FAQ
What is the median household income in Valdese, NC?
The median household income in Valdese is $50,740, 30% 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 Valdese?
The median home value in Valdese is $209,800, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Valdese?
The median gross rent in Valdese is $665 per month, about 25.3% of household income.
Is Valdese, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 27% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 12.8%. Minuses: median household income 30% lower than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 5.8%.
What is the median age in Valdese?
The median age in Valdese is 52.6 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Valdese?
The average commute to work in Valdese is 27 minutes; 10.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Valdese?
The unemployment rate in Valdese is 5.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Valdese?
37.2% of adults in Valdese 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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