Albemarle, NC

North Carolina

Albemarle is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 16,527. Residents earn $52,825 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
16,527 Population 918/sq mi density
$52,825 Median Income $28,111 per capita
$186,100 Home Value $258,769 Zillow
$856 Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
586 Violent Crime/100K 4,877 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$52,825 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$186,100 home value, $856/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
586 violent crimes/100K (54% above avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,825
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $186,100
34% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 586/100K
54% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.5%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $856
26% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.6%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.9%
19% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.0%
45% higher than US avg

How Albemarle Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population16,527
Median Age39.8 yrs
Density918/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 64%

Economy

B
Median Income$52,825
Per Capita$28,111
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty18.0%
County GDP$2,785M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$186,100
Rent$856
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$258,769

Crime

F
Violent586/100K
Property4,877/100K
Murder6.2/100K
Assault424/100K
Burglary1,653/100K

Health

Obesity38.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.2%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain48.3 in/yr
Elevation543 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.5%
High School+86.5%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute26 min
EV Stations4
Libraries6

Is Albemarle a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Albemarle receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Albemarle has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Albemarle is $52,825, 30% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.9%. The poverty rate of 18.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Albemarle is $186,100, 34% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $856 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 586 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,877 per 100,000, 149% above the national average.

Education

21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Albemarle enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Albemarle has a population of 16,527 with a density of 918 people per square mile. The median age is 39.8 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (63.7%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 22.5% Black.

Population

16,527
Total Population
918
People / sq mi
39.8yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
18.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48%
Female 52%

Race & Ethnicity

Albemarle vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.2%
16% above US avg
Spanish8.8%
34% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Albemarle vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Albemarle is $52,825, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 18.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Albemarle vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,825
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,111
Avg Weekly Wage$860
IRS Avg AGI$67,178

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.9%
19% below US avg
Poverty Rate18.0%
45% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,703
County GDP$2,785M

Business (County)

Restaurants130
Healthcare162
Retail249
Manufacturing85

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,478
1% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.87%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.0 min
Work from Home7.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Albemarle is $186,100, 34% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $856 (26% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $258,769.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$186,100
34% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$258,769
Median List Price$287,200

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$287,200
$/Sq Ft$168
Homes Sold18
Sale-to-List Ratio96.5%
Price Drops34.6%
Inventory136

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$856
26% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,322

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied57.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,478
1% below US avg
Effective Rate1.87%
In Albemarle, 38.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.2% report depression. 27.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Albemarle vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.6%
20% above US avg
Diabetes12.1%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure36.4%
Asthma11.8%
COPD8.0%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.0%
Physical Inactivity27.0%
Depression26.2%
Mental Distress19.4%
Physical Distress14.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.5%
Checkup Rate77.8%
Premature Death10,233/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access68.0%
Healthcare Facilities162
Albemarle has a violent crime rate of 586 per 100,000 residents, 54% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,877 per 100,000 (149% above US avg). The murder rate is 6.2 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Albemarle vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent586.3/100K
54% above US avg
Murder6.2/100K
1% below US avg
Rape37.4/100K
Robbery118.5/100K
Assault424.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,877.4/100K
149% above US avg
Burglary1,652.8/100K
Theft2,943.9/100K
Vehicle Theft280.7/100K
Arson68.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Albemarle has an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average60.3°F
12% above US avg
January Average41°F (5°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.3 inches
27% above US avg
Snowfall0.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation543 ft (166 m)
Area18.0 sq mi (46.6 km²)
Population Density918/sq mi
Coordinates35.3581°N, 80.1912°W
County FIPS37167
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 50.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.1%
D 24.2%

Winner: Republican by 50.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.5%
36% below US avg
High School+86.5%
School Test Score5.46
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density918/sq mi
Total Area18.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities162
Restaurants130
Retail Stores249

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.0 min
Work from Home7.6%

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