Beaufort, NC

North Carolina

Beaufort is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 4,613. Residents earn $48,111 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,613 Population 899/sq mi density
$48,111 Median Income $37,018 per capita
$319,700 Home Value $420,136 Zillow
$862 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
190 Violent Crime/100K 3,440 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$48,111 median income, 3.9% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.9 / 5.0
$319,700 home value, $862/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
190 violent crimes/100K (50% below avg)
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
36.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,111
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $319,700
13% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 190/100K
50% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 36.0%
7% higher than US avg
Median Rent $862
26% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.5%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.3%
15% higher than US avg

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

People

Population4,613
Median Age50.5 yrs
Density899/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 81%

Economy

B
Median Income$48,111
Per Capita$37,018
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty14.3%
County GDP$3,739M
Commute19 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$319,700
Rent$862
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$420,136

Crime

F
Violent190/100K
Property3,440/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault142/100K
Burglary641/100K

Health

Obesity35.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.1%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain55.7 in/yr

Education

B+
Bachelor's+36.0%
High School+88.6%
School Score5.29

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute19 min
EV Stations5
Libraries5

Is Beaufort a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Beaufort receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Beaufort has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Beaufort is $48,111, 36% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. 14.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Beaufort is $319,700, 13% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $862 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 6.6x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Beaufort is below the national average at 190 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,440 per 100,000, 76% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 36.0% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 88.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Beaufort enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Beaufort has a population of 4,613 with a density of 899 people per square mile. The median age is 50.5 years, 30% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (80.6%), with 2.4% Hispanic, 11.7% Black.

Population

4,613
Total Population
899
People / sq mi
50.5yrs
Median Age
30% above US avg
5.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.6%
Female 52.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Beaufort vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.0%
24% above US avg
Spanish3.0%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Beaufort vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Beaufort is $48,111, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 14.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Beaufort vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,111
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,018
Avg Weekly Wage$879
IRS Avg AGI$87,892

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate14.3%
15% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,721
County GDP$3,739M

Business (County)

Restaurants264
Healthcare197
Retail365
Manufacturing56

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,947
13% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.23%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.0 min
Work from Home17.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Beaufort is $319,700, 13% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $862 (26% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $420,136.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$319,700
13% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$420,136
Median List Price$525,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$525,000
$/Sq Ft$295
Homes Sold12
Sale-to-List Ratio97.0%
Price Drops16.0%
Inventory75

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$862
26% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$732
1 Bedroom$737
2 Bedrooms$925
3 Bedrooms$1,220
4 Bedrooms$1,552

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied48.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,947
13% above US avg
Effective Rate1.23%
In Beaufort, 35.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.1% report depression. 21.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.5%
11% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure33.0%
Asthma11.3%
COPD6.7%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.1%
Physical Inactivity21.7%
Depression27.1%
Mental Distress18.1%
Physical Distress12.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.8%
Checkup Rate78.2%
Premature Death10,599/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access84.9%
Healthcare Facilities197
Beaufort has a violent crime rate of 190 per 100,000 residents, 50% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,440 per 100,000 (76% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent189.8/100K
50% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape47.5/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault142.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,440.1/100K
76% above US avg
Burglary640.6/100K
Theft2,728.4/100K
Vehicle Theft71.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Beaufort has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 55.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average63.8°F
18% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall55.7 inches
47% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area5.1 sq mi (13.3 km²)
Population Density899/sq mi
Coordinates34.7227°N, 76.6512°W
County FIPS37031
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 36.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (7% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.1%
D 28%

Winner: Republican by 43.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+36.0%
7% above US avg
High School+88.6%
School Test Score5.29
B+ Education Grade (3.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density899/sq mi
Total Area5.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities197
Restaurants264
Retail Stores365

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.0 min
Work from Home17.8%

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