North Carolina
Blowing Rock is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 848. Residents earn $120,865 per year, which is 61% above the national average.
Based on current data, Blowing Rock receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Blowing Rock offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Blowing Rock is $120,865, which is significantly higher than the national average — 61% above $75,149. This places Blowing Rock among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.
The median home value in Blowing Rock is $667,300, making it a premium housing market at 137% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $877 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.5x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.
Violent crime in Blowing Rock is below the national average at 323 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,264 per 100,000, near the national average.
Blowing Rock is a highly educated community — 59.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 95.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.
Blowing Rock experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
| English Only | 99.7% |
| 27% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 0.3% |
| 98% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $120,865 |
| 61% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $73,833 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $924 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $81,568 |
| Unemployment | 0.4% |
| 89% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 0.0% |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 2,018 |
| County GDP | $3,193M |
| Restaurants | 180 |
| Healthcare | 167 |
| Retail | 304 |
| Manufacturing | 40 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $4,223 |
| 21% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.63% |
| Commute Time | 32.2 min |
| Work from Home | 17.4% |
| Census Median | $667,300 |
| 137% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $732,100 |
| Median List Price | $525,000 |
| Median List Price | $525,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $407 |
| Homes Sold | 4 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 97.3% |
| Price Drops | 0.0% |
| Inventory | 32 |
| Census Median Rent | $877 |
| 25% below US avg |
| Studio | $932 |
| 1 Bedroom | $981 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,161 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,499 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,780 |
| Owner-Occupied | 74.6% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $4,223 |
| 21% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 0.63% |
| Obesity | 31.2% |
| 3% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 7.5% |
| Heart Disease | 4.6% |
| High Blood Pressure | 28.4% |
| Asthma | 10.4% |
| COPD | 4.9% |
| Stroke | 2.4% |
| Binge Drinking | 19.1% |
| Physical Inactivity | 16.8% |
| Depression | 26.9% |
| Mental Distress | 16.2% |
| Physical Distress | 10.2% |
| Insurance Rate | 93.1% |
| Checkup Rate | 78.0% |
| Premature Death | 6,649/100K |
| Food Environment | 7.9/10 |
| Exercise Access | 86.6% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 167 |
| Total Violent | 323.4/100K |
| 15% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 0.0/100K |
| Robbery | 0.0/100K |
| Assault | 323.4/100K |
| Total Property | 2,263.5/100K |
| 15% above US avg | |
| Burglary | 485.0/100K |
| Theft | 1,616.8/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 161.7/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 4 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 49.8°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 3,631 ft (1,107 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 262/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.1292°N, 81.6663°W |
| County FIPS | 37189 |
Winner: Democrat by 6 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% |
| 78% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 95.6% |
| School Test Score | 5.46 |
| RUCC Code 5 | Nonmetro — Urban 20K+ |
| Population Density | 262/sq mi |
| Total Area | 3.2 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 7 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 7 |
| Public Libraries | 2 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 167 |
| Restaurants | 180 |
| Retail Stores | 304 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 4 |
| Avg Commute | 32.2 min |
| Work from Home | 17.4% |