Calabash, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Calabash is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 2,397. Residents earn $60,048 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
2,397 Population 329/sq mi density
$60,048 Median Income $34,549 per capita
$202,000 Home Value $347,992 Zillow
$1,348 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$60,048 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$202,000 home value, $1,348/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,048
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $202,000
28% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.2%
34% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,348
16% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.2%
0% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.6%
15% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,397
Median Age54.0 yrs
Density329/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 75%

Economy

B+
Median Income$60,048
Per Capita$34,549
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty10.6%
County GDP$22,774M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$202,000
Rent$1,348
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$347,992

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity32.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.1%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain48.5 in/yr
Elevation36 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.2%
High School+85.3%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute18 min
EV Stations1
Libraries12

Is Calabash a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Calabash receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Calabash offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Calabash is $60,048, 20% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. 10.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Calabash is $202,000, 28% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,348 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

22.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Calabash 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 48.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Calabash has a population of 2,397 with a density of 329 people per square mile. The median age is 54.0 years, 39% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.1%), with 3% Hispanic, 6% Black.

Population

2,397
Total Population
329
People / sq mi
54.0yrs
Median Age
39% above US avg
7.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.6%
Female 56.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Calabash vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.6%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.4%
60% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Calabash vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Calabash is $60,048, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 10.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Calabash vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,048
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,549
Avg Weekly Wage$924
IRS Avg AGI$67,849

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate10.6%
15% below US avg
Establishments (County)12,484
County GDP$22,774M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,398
Healthcare896
Retail1,849
Manufacturing171

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,541
1% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.75%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.1 min
Work from Home18.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Calabash is $202,000, 28% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,348 (16% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $347,992.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$202,000
28% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$347,992
Median List Price$310,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$310,000
$/Sq Ft$270
Homes Sold6
Sale-to-List Ratio98.5%
Price Drops24.6%
Inventory69

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,348
16% above 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-Occupied67.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,541
1% above US avg
Effective Rate1.75%
In Calabash, 32.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 26.1% report depression. 20.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.2%
0% below US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure29.2%
Asthma10.6%
COPD5.7%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.9%
Physical Inactivity20.0%
Depression26.1%
Mental Distress17.2%
Physical Distress11.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.0%
Checkup Rate78.0%
Premature Death11,747/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access78.6%
Healthcare Facilities896

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)78

Safety Score

Calabash 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 48.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average64.0°F
19% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.5 inches
28% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation36 ft (11 m)
Area7.3 sq mi (18.9 km²)
Population Density329/sq mi
Coordinates33.8926°N, 78.5573°W
County FIPS45051
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 22.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (34% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 38.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.8%
D 30.3%

Winner: Republican by 38.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.2%
34% below US avg
High School+85.3%
School Test Score5.46
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density329/sq mi
Total Area7.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities896
Restaurants1,398
Retail Stores1,849

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)78

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.1 min
Work from Home18.6%

Nearby Cities

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