Emma, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Emma is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 2,757. Residents earn $40,964 per year, which is 45% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
2,757 Population 2,529/sq mi density
$40,964 Median Income $18,474 per capita
$88,900 Home Value
$981 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$40,964 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$88,900 home value, $981/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,964
45% lower than US avg
Home Value $88,900
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.6%
60% lower than US avg
Median Rent $981
16% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.1%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.7%
86% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,757
Median Age28.9 yrs
Density2,529/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 51%

Economy

B+
Median Income$40,964
Per Capita$18,474
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty1.7%
County GDP$21,262M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$88,900
Rent$981
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.0%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain40.6 in/yr
Elevation2,179 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.6%
High School+78.2%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 37% / D 62%
Commute20 min
Libraries12

Is Emma a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Emma receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Emma offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Emma is $40,964, 45% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 1.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Emma is $88,900, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $981 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Emma enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.6 inches, including 11.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Emma has a population of 2,757 with a density of 2,529 people per square mile. The median age is 28.9 years, 26% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (50.6%), with 6.4% Hispanic.

Population

2,757
Total Population
2,529
People / sq mi
28.9yrs
Median Age
26% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.1%
Female 51.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Emma vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only59.5%
24% below US avg
Spanish40.5%
202% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Emma vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Emma is $40,964, which is 45% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Emma vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,964
45% below US avg
Per Capita Income$18,474
Avg Weekly Wage$1,130
IRS Avg AGI$86,785

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.7%
86% 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 Rate5.69%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.9 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Emma is $88,900, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $981 (16% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$88,900
68% below US avg
Median List Price$342,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$342,000
$/Sq Ft$357
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio99.4%
Price Drops50.0%
Inventory6

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$981
16% 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-Occupied70.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,058
45% above US avg
Effective Rate5.69%
In Emma, 37.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.0% report depression. 29.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.1%
16% above US avg
Diabetes12.7%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure35.2%
Asthma10.5%
COPD7.8%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.2%
Physical Inactivity29.2%
Depression25.0%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress15.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate70.2%
Checkup Rate75.3%
Premature Death8,557/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access76.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,283

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)34

Safety Score

Emma has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average57.3°F
6% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.6 inches
7% above US avg
Snowfall11.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,179 ft (664 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density2,529/sq mi
Coordinates35.6020°N, 82.5958°W
County FIPS37021
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (60% below 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+13.6%
60% below US avg
High School+78.2%
School Test Score5.46
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density2,529/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities1,283
Restaurants971
Retail Stores1,329

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)34

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.9 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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