Black Mountain, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Black Mountain is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 8,462. Residents earn $70,041 per year, which is 7% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
8,462 Population 1,254/sq mi density
$70,041 Median Income $49,465 per capita
$351,700 Home Value $453,554 Zillow
$1,334 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
37 Violent Crime/100K 1,696 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$70,041 median income, 1.7% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.8 / 5.0
$351,700 home value, $1,334/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
37 violent crimes/100K (90% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
58.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,041
7% lower than US avg
Home Value $351,700
25% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 37/100K
90% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 58.7%
74% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,334
15% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.3%
9% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.9%
85% lower than US avg

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

People

Population8,462
Median Age60.6 yrs
Density1,254/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

A
Median Income$70,041
Per Capita$49,465
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty1.9%
County GDP$21,262M
Commute21 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$351,700
Rent$1,334
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$453,554

Crime

F
Violent37/100K
Property1,696/100K
Murder12.3/100K
Assault25/100K
Burglary369/100K

Health

Obesity29.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.8%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI40 (Good)
Elevation2,320 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+58.7%
High School+93.3%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 37% / D 62%
Commute21 min
EV Stations5
Libraries12

Is Black Mountain a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Black Mountain receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Black Mountain offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Black Mountain is $70,041, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. Only 1.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Black Mountain is $351,700, 25% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,334 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Black Mountain is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 37 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,696 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Black Mountain is a highly educated community — 58.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 93.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Black Mountain experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Black Mountain has a population of 8,462 with a density of 1,254 people per square mile. The median age is 60.6 years, 56% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.8%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 3.3% Black.

Population

8,462
Total Population
1,254
People / sq mi
60.6yrs
Median Age
56% above US avg
6.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.7%
Female 56.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Black Mountain vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.3%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.7%
80% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Black Mountain vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Black Mountain is $70,041, which is 7% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Black Mountain vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,041
7% below US avg
Per Capita Income$49,465
Avg Weekly Wage$1,130
IRS Avg AGI$86,785

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.9%
85% below US avg
Establishments (County)13,107
County GDP$21,262M

Business (County)

Restaurants971
Healthcare1,283
Retail1,329
Manufacturing331

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,058
45% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.44%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.9 min
Work from Home17.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Black Mountain is $351,700, 25% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,334 (15% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $453,554.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$351,700
25% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$453,554
Median List Price$495,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$495,000
$/Sq Ft$302
Homes Sold9
Sale-to-List Ratio97.3%
Price Drops16.5%
Inventory79

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,334
15% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,851

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,058
45% above US avg
Effective Rate1.44%
In Black Mountain, 29.3% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.8% report depression. 16.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Black Mountain vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.3%
9% below US avg
Diabetes7.9%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure29.4%
Asthma10.4%
COPD5.1%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.8%
Physical Inactivity16.6%
Depression25.8%
Mental Distress15.8%
Physical Distress10.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.8%
Checkup Rate76.7%
Premature Death8,557/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access76.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,283
Black Mountain has a violent crime rate of 37 per 100,000 residents, 90% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,696 per 100,000 (13% below US avg). The murder rate is 12.3 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent36.9/100K
90% below US avg
Murder12.3/100K
95% above US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault24.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,695.8/100K
13% below US avg
Burglary368.6/100K
Theft1,191.9/100K
Vehicle Theft135.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)34

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Black Mountain has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average55.4°F
3% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,320 ft (707 m)
Area6.8 sq mi (17.5 km²)
Population Density1,254/sq mi
Coordinates35.6150°N, 82.3279°W
County FIPS37021
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 58.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 24.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 36.9%
D 61.7%

Winner: Democrat by 24.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+58.7%
74% above US avg
High School+93.3%
School Test Score5.46
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,254/sq mi
Total Area6.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities1,283
Restaurants971
Retail Stores1,329

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)34
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.9 min
Work from Home17.0%

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