Bailey, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Bailey is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 504. Residents earn $48,929 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
504 Population 720/sq mi density
$48,929 Median Income $22,913 per capita
$124,200 Home Value $275,477 Zillow
$873 Median Rent 17.9% income on rent
61°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$48,929 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$124,200 home value, $873/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,929
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $124,200
56% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.4%
63% lower than US avg
Median Rent $873
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.6%
8% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 29.3%
136% higher than US avg

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

People

Population504
Median Age44.5 yrs
Density720/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 43%

Economy

C+
Median Income$48,929
Per Capita$22,913
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty29.3%
County GDP$11,573M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$124,200
Rent$873
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$275,477
Rent Burden17.9%

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property6,903/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary1,062/100K

Health

Obesity34.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.3%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain49.9 in/yr
Elevation250 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.4%
High School+76.9%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 60% / D 39%
Commute28 min
Libraries7

Is Bailey a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bailey receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Bailey offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bailey is $48,929, 35% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. The poverty rate of 29.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bailey is $124,200, 56% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $873 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Bailey is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,903 per 100,000, 252% above the national average.

Education

12.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Bailey enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Bailey has a population of 504 with a density of 720 people per square mile. The median age is 44.5 years, 14% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (42.7%), with 1.2% Hispanic, 11.3% Black.

Population

504
Total Population
720
People / sq mi
44.5yrs
Median Age
14% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.6%
Female 53.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Bailey vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only80.4%
2% above US avg
Spanish19.6%
46% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Bailey vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bailey is $48,929, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 29.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Bailey vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,929
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,913
Avg Weekly Wage$1,064
IRS Avg AGI$73,009

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate29.3%
136% above US avg
Establishments (County)5,104
County GDP$11,573M

Business (County)

Restaurants352
Healthcare353
Retail575
Manufacturing117

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,488
0% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.81%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.6 min
Drive Alone85.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home11.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Bailey is $124,200, 56% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $873 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $275,477.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$124,200
56% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$275,477

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$873
25% below US avg
Rent Burden17.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied54.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,488
0% below US avg
Effective Rate2.81%
In Bailey, 34.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.3% report depression. 24.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.6%
8% above US avg
Diabetes10.3%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure32.7%
Asthma11.0%
COPD6.1%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.8%
Physical Inactivity24.1%
Depression25.3%
Mental Distress18.0%
Physical Distress12.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate81.7%
Checkup Rate77.6%
Premature Death8,163/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access96.8%
Healthcare Facilities353
Bailey has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 6,903 per 100,000 (252% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property6,902.7/100K
252% above US avg
Burglary1,062.0/100K
Theft5,663.7/100K
Vehicle Theft177.0/100K
Arson177.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)35

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Bailey has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

42°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average60.7°F
12% above US avg
January Average42°F (6°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.9 inches
31% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation250 ft (76 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density720/sq mi
Coordinates35.7806°N, 78.1129°W
County FIPS37101
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 12.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (63% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 21.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 60.2%
D 38.7%

Winner: Republican by 21.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.4%
63% below US avg
High School+76.9%
School Test Score5.46
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density720/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities353
Restaurants352
Retail Stores575

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)35
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.6 min
Drive Alone85.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home11.3%

Nearby Cities

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