Erwin, NC

North Carolina

Erwin is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 4,617. Residents earn $50,077 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
4,617 Population 1,074/sq mi density
$50,077 Median Income $27,235 per capita
$150,400 Home Value $196,775 Zillow
$1,085 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
363 Violent Crime/100K 4,884 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$50,077 median income, 1.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$150,400 home value, $1,085/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
363 violent crimes/100K (5% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,077
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $150,400
47% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 363/100K
5% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.0%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,085
7% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.8%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.1%
69% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.0%
27% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,617
Median Age46.0 yrs
Density1,074/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 64%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,077
Per Capita$27,235
Unemployment1.1%
Poverty9.0%
County GDP$3,965M
Commute32 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$150,400
Rent$1,085
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$196,775

Crime

F
Violent363/100K
Property4,884/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault213/100K
Burglary896/100K

Health

Obesity37.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.5%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain50.1 in/yr
Elevation194 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.0%
High School+88.9%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute32 min
EV Stations1
Libraries7

Is Erwin a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Erwin is $50,077, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.1%. 9.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Erwin is $150,400, 47% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,085 per month. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Erwin is below the national average at 363 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,884 per 100,000, 149% above the national average.

Education

16.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Erwin 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 50.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Erwin has a population of 4,617 with a density of 1,074 people per square mile. The median age is 46.0 years, 18% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (64.4%), with 1.6% Hispanic, 19.9% Black.

Population

4,617
Total Population
1,074
People / sq mi
46.0yrs
Median Age
18% above US avg
4.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47%
Female 53%

Race & Ethnicity

Erwin vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.4%
11% above US avg
Spanish12.6%
6% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Erwin vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Erwin is $50,077, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Erwin vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,077
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,235
Avg Weekly Wage$903
IRS Avg AGI$64,247

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.1%
69% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.0%
27% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,384
County GDP$3,965M

Business (County)

Restaurants178
Healthcare190
Retail297
Manufacturing66

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,367
4% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.24%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.5 min
Work from Home2.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Erwin is $150,400, 47% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,085 (7% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $196,775.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$150,400
47% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$196,775
Median List Price$275,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$275,000
$/Sq Ft$125
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio94.3%
Price Drops21.1%
Inventory38

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,085
7% 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-Occupied71.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,367
4% below US avg
Effective Rate2.24%
In Erwin, 37.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.5% report depression. 27.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.8%
18% above US avg
Diabetes11.5%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure37.2%
Asthma11.4%
COPD7.7%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.1%
Physical Inactivity27.8%
Depression27.5%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress14.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.6%
Checkup Rate78.1%
Premature Death10,064/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access69.6%
Healthcare Facilities190
Erwin has a violent crime rate of 363 per 100,000 residents, 5% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,884 per 100,000 (149% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent362.6/100K
5% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape21.3/100K
Robbery128.0/100K
Assault213.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,883.8/100K
149% above US avg
Burglary895.7/100K
Theft3,796.1/100K
Vehicle Theft191.9/100K
Arson42.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Erwin 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 50.1 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 Rainfall50.1 inches
32% above US avg
Snowfall2.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation194 ft (59 m)
Area4.3 sq mi (11.1 km²)
Population Density1,074/sq mi
Coordinates35.3222°N, 78.6735°W
County FIPS37085
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 16.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62%
D 36.9%

Winner: Republican by 25.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.0%
53% below US avg
High School+88.9%
School Test Score5.46
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,074/sq mi
Total Area4.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities190
Restaurants178
Retail Stores297

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.5 min
Work from Home2.4%

Nearby Cities

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