Elizabeth City, NC

North Carolina

Elizabeth City is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 18,740. Residents earn $50,947 per year, which is 32% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
18,740 Population 1,589/sq mi density
$50,947 Median Income $28,253 per capita
$202,100 Home Value $258,602 Zillow
$1,111 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
501 Violent Crime/100K 4,383 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$50,947 median income, 4.5% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$202,100 home value, $1,111/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
501 violent crimes/100K (32% above avg)
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
28.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,947
32% lower than US avg
Home Value $202,100
28% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 501/100K
32% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.0%
17% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,111
4% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.5%
29% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.5%
25% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.5%
7% lower than US avg

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

People

Population18,740
Median Age36.1 yrs
Density1,589/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 39%

Economy

B
Median Income$50,947
Per Capita$28,253
Unemployment4.5%
Poverty11.5%
County GDP$2,206M
Commute22 min

Housing

A
Home Value$202,100
Rent$1,111
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$258,602

Crime

F
Violent501/100K
Property4,383/100K
Murder5.5/100K
Assault358/100K
Burglary1,377/100K

Health

Obesity41.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.3%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain51.3 in/yr
Elevation9 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.0%
High School+88.6%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 52% / D 47%
Commute22 min
EV Stations6
Libraries2

Is Elizabeth City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Elizabeth City receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Elizabeth City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Elizabeth City is $50,947, 32% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.5%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Elizabeth City is $202,100, 28% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,111 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,383 per 100,000, 124% above the national average.

Education

28.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Elizabeth City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Elizabeth City has a population of 18,740 with a density of 1,589 people per square mile. The median age is 36.1 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (50.1%), with 38.5% White, 3.4% Hispanic.

Population

18,740
Total Population
1,589
People / sq mi
36.1yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
11.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.9%
Female 56.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Elizabeth City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.9%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.1%
47% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Elizabeth City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Elizabeth City is $50,947, which is 32% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Elizabeth City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,947
32% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,253
Avg Weekly Wage$967
IRS Avg AGI$58,294

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.5%
25% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.5%
7% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,150
County GDP$2,206M

Business (County)

Restaurants100
Healthcare152
Retail177
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,293
6% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.1 min
Work from Home11.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Elizabeth City is $202,100, 28% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,111 (4% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $258,602.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$202,100
28% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$258,602
Median List Price$237,737

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$237,737
$/Sq Ft$184
Homes Sold23
Sale-to-List Ratio99.9%
Price Drops8.4%
Inventory95

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,111
4% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,505

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied41.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,293
6% below US avg
Effective Rate1.63%
In Elizabeth City, 41.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.3% report depression. 27.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Elizabeth City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.5%
29% above US avg
Diabetes13.0%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure38.5%
Asthma12.3%
COPD7.1%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.8%
Physical Inactivity27.5%
Depression24.3%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress13.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.6%
Checkup Rate80.8%
Premature Death11,395/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access55.7%
Healthcare Facilities152
Elizabeth City has a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, 32% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,383 per 100,000 (124% above US avg). The murder rate is 5.5 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent501.1/100K
32% above US avg
Murder5.5/100K
13% below US avg
Rape16.5/100K
Robbery121.1/100K
Assault357.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,382.8/100K
124% above US avg
Burglary1,376.5/100K
Theft2,934.7/100K
Vehicle Theft71.6/100K
Arson5.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Elizabeth 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 is 51.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average62.3°F
15% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.3 inches
35% above US avg
Snowfall0.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation9 ft (3 m)
Area11.8 sq mi (30.5 km²)
Population Density1,589/sq mi
Coordinates36.2942°N, 76.2378°W
County FIPS37139
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 28.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (17% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 4.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 52%
D 47.1%

Winner: Republican by 4.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.0%
17% below US avg
High School+88.6%
School Test Score5.46
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,589/sq mi
Total Area11.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities152
Restaurants100
Retail Stores177

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.1 min
Work from Home11.3%

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