At a Glance
Median Income
$48,784
$26,546 per capita
Home Value
$173,000
Zillow: $238,608
Median Rent
$942/mo
29.5% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
14.4%
82.0% high school+
Unemployment
7.3%
13.9% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
39.1%
20.8% smoking rate
How Bessemer City Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Bessemer City's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Bessemer City a Good Place to Live?
B
3.2 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Bessemer City residents earn a median household income of $48,784 , which is 35% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $26,546. The unemployment rate stands at 7.3% (103% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 13.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 5,635 business establishments, including 410 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Bessemer City is $173,000 , 39% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $238,608. Median rent is $942/month, with 29.5% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 94.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1973.
Education
14.4% of adults in Bessemer City hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(57% below the national average).
82.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.4/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Bessemer City has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C).
Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.3 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population5,508
Median Age34.3 yrs
Density968/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Foreign Born3.9%
Veterans7.8%
Economy
C+
Median Income$48,784
Per Capita$26,546
Unemployment7.3%
Poverty13.9%
County GDP$11,264M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,043
Housing
A+
Home Value$173,000
Rent$942
Ownership55.9%
Zillow$238,608
Housing Units2,451
Rent Burden29.5%
Health
Obesity39.1%
Diabetes12.7%
Smoking20.8%
Heart Disease7.2%
Premature Death11,889/100K
Climate
Avg Temp62°F
Rain43.3 in/yr
Elevation891 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+14.4%
High School+82.0%
Graduate+4.5%
School Score5.4/10
Community
2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute25 min
Broadband81.9%
Internet Speed194 Mbps
EV Stations3
Libraries10
Did You Know?
Bessemer City was founded in 1893.
The median home in Bessemer City was built in 1973.
The nearest airport is Charlotte/Douglas International (19 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.459 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
22.7% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 194 Mbps.
There are 410 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 22 fatal vehicle crashes.