Elkin, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Elkin is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 4,025. Residents earn $60,434 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
4,025 Population 591/sq mi density
$60,434 Median Income $29,906 per capita
$187,200 Home Value $219,113 Zillow
$765 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
249 Violent Crime/100K 11,064 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$60,434 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$187,200 home value, $765/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
249 violent crimes/100K (34% below avg)
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
28.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,434
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $187,200
34% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 249/100K
34% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.0%
17% lower than US avg
Median Rent $765
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.2%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.8%
19% higher than US avg

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

People

Population4,025
Median Age41.3 yrs
Density591/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 81%

Economy

B+
Median Income$60,434
Per Capita$29,906
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty14.8%
County GDP$1,334M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$187,200
Rent$765
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$219,113

Crime

F
Violent249/100K
Property11,064/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault174/100K
Burglary1,395/100K

Health

Obesity40.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.8%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain49.0 in/yr
Elevation1,094 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.0%
High School+84.7%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 81% / D 18%
Commute25 min
EV Stations7
Libraries4

Is Elkin a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Elkin receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Elkin offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Elkin is $60,434, 20% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 14.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Elkin is $187,200, 34% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $765 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Elkin is below the national average at 249 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 11,064 per 100,000, 464% above the national average.

Education

28.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Elkin enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Elkin has a population of 4,025 with a density of 591 people per square mile. The median age is 41.3 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (80.7%), with 4.4% Hispanic, 2.9% Black.

Population

4,025
Total Population
591
People / sq mi
41.3yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
6.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.8%
Female 52.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Elkin vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only80.4%
2% above US avg
Spanish19.6%
46% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Elkin vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Elkin is $60,434, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Elkin vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,434
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,906
Avg Weekly Wage$868
IRS Avg AGI$62,397

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.8%
19% above US avg
Establishments (County)798
County GDP$1,334M

Business (County)

Restaurants60
Healthcare42
Retail107
Manufacturing40

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,700
23% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.44%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.7 min
Work from Home10.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Elkin is $187,200, 34% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $765 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $219,113.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$187,200
34% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$219,113
Median List Price$452,497

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$452,497
$/Sq Ft$156
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio98.7%
Price Drops10.0%
Inventory20

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$765
34% below 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-Occupied62.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,700
23% below US avg
Effective Rate1.44%
In Elkin, 40.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.8% report depression. 26.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.2%
25% above US avg
Diabetes10.6%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure33.4%
Asthma11.2%
COPD7.6%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.6%
Physical Inactivity26.3%
Depression27.8%
Mental Distress18.7%
Physical Distress13.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate79.2%
Checkup Rate77.5%
Premature Death12,330/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access51.6%
Healthcare Facilities42
Elkin has a violent crime rate of 249 per 100,000 residents, 34% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 11,064 per 100,000 (464% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent249.2/100K
34% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape24.9/100K
Robbery49.8/100K
Assault174.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property11,064.0/100K
464% above US avg
Burglary1,395.5/100K
Theft9,494.1/100K
Vehicle Theft174.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Elkin has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average56.0°F
4% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.0 inches
29% above US avg
Snowfall3.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,094 ft (333 m)
Area6.8 sq mi (17.6 km²)
Population Density591/sq mi
Coordinates36.2634°N, 80.8471°W
County FIPS37197
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 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 62.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 80.8%
D 18.4%

Winner: Republican by 62.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.0%
17% below US avg
High School+84.7%
School Test Score5.46
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density591/sq mi
Total Area6.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations7
Alt Fuel Stations8
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities42
Restaurants60
Retail Stores107

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.7 min
Work from Home10.1%

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