Barker Heights, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Barker Heights is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 1,025. Residents earn $28,929 per year, which is 62% below the national average.

2.1 /5.0
C Fair
1,025 Population 1,046/sq mi density
$28,929 Median Income $20,130 per capita
$199,700 Home Value $272,244 Zillow
$790 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
C
Overall
2.1 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.4 / 5.0
$28,929 median income, 1.5% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.8 / 5.0
$199,700 home value, $790/mo rent
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
3.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $28,929
62% lower than US avg
Home Value $199,700
29% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 3.3%
90% lower than US avg
Median Rent $790
32% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.7%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.5%
58% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 53.8%
334% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,025
Median Age45.6 yrs
Density1,046/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 70%

Economy

C
Median Income$28,929
Per Capita$20,130
Unemployment1.5%
Poverty53.8%
County GDP$6,372M
Commute18 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$199,700
Rent$790
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$272,244

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.3%
Heart Disease7.0%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain59.1 in/yr
Elevation2,162 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+3.3%
High School+66.8%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute18 min
Libraries6

Is Barker Heights a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Barker Heights receives an overall livability score of 2.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Barker Heights has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Barker Heights is $28,929, 62% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. The poverty rate of 53.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Barker Heights is $199,700, 29% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $790 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 6.9x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

3.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 66.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Barker Heights enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 59.1 inches, including 6.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Barker Heights has a population of 1,025 with a density of 1,046 people per square mile. The median age is 45.6 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (69.8%), with 4.8% Hispanic, 9.8% Black.

Population

1,025
Total Population
1,046
People / sq mi
45.6yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50%
Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

Barker Heights vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only80.5%
3% above US avg
Spanish19.5%
46% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Barker Heights vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Barker Heights is $28,929, which is 62% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 53.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Barker Heights vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$28,929
62% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,130
Avg Weekly Wage$1,041
IRS Avg AGI$74,950

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.5%
58% below US avg
Poverty Rate53.8%
334% above US avg
Establishments (County)4,120
County GDP$6,372M

Business (County)

Restaurants250
Healthcare324
Retail407
Manufacturing132

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,686
5% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.85%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.9 min
Work from Home1.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Barker Heights is $199,700, 29% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $790 (32% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $272,244.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$199,700
29% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$272,244

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$790
32% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied33.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,686
5% above US avg
Effective Rate1.85%
In Barker Heights, 35.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.3% report depression. 28.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Barker Heights vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.7%
11% above US avg
Diabetes12.7%
Heart Disease7.0%
High Blood Pressure34.7%
Asthma10.6%
COPD8.2%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.8%
Physical Inactivity28.9%
Depression25.3%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress14.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate69.8%
Checkup Rate76.9%
Premature Death8,875/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access72.0%
Healthcare Facilities324

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Barker Heights has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 59.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average56.0°F
4% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall59.1 inches
55% above US avg
Snowfall6.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,162 ft (659 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density1,046/sq mi
Coordinates35.3084°N, 82.4412°W
County FIPS37089
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 3.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (90% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.7%
D 42.2%

Winner: Republican by 14.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+3.3%
90% below US avg
High School+66.8%
School Test Score5.46
F Education Grade (1.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,046/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities324
Restaurants250
Retail Stores407

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.9 min
Work from Home1.5%

Nearby Cities

Compare Barker Heights with another city: