Granite Falls, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Granite Falls is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 4,921. Residents earn $74,250 per year, which is 1% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
4,921 Population 996/sq mi density
$74,250 Median Income $33,512 per capita
$203,100 Home Value $266,486 Zillow
$845 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
256 Violent Crime/100K 5,114 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$74,250 median income, 1.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$203,100 home value, $845/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
256 violent crimes/100K (33% below avg)
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $74,250
1% lower than US avg
Home Value $203,100
28% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 256/100K
33% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.2%
19% lower than US avg
Median Rent $845
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.3%
2% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.0%
72% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.6%
23% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,921
Median Age42.4 yrs
Density996/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 76%

Economy

A
Median Income$74,250
Per Capita$33,512
Unemployment1.0%
Poverty9.6%
County GDP$3,308M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$203,100
Rent$845
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$266,486

Crime

F
Violent256/100K
Property5,114/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault107/100K
Burglary618/100K

Health

Obesity31.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.4%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain47.2 in/yr
Elevation1,128 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.2%
High School+90.0%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 23%
Commute27 min
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Is Granite Falls a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Granite Falls receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Granite Falls offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Granite Falls is $74,250, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.0%. 9.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Granite Falls is $203,100, 28% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $845 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Granite Falls is below the national average at 256 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,114 per 100,000, 161% above the national average.

Education

27.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Granite Falls enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Granite Falls has a population of 4,921 with a density of 996 people per square mile. The median age is 42.4 years, 9% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.7%), with 2.6% Black.

Population

4,921
Total Population
996
People / sq mi
42.4yrs
Median Age
9% above US avg
4.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.2%
Female 49.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Granite Falls vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.4%
13% above US avg
Spanish11.6%
13% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Granite Falls vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Granite Falls is $74,250, which is 1% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Granite Falls vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$74,250
1% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,512
Avg Weekly Wage$973
IRS Avg AGI$59,168

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.0%
72% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.6%
23% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,594
County GDP$3,308M

Business (County)

Restaurants136
Healthcare146
Retail240
Manufacturing111

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,509
0% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.73%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.7 min
Work from Home10.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Granite Falls is $203,100, 28% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $845 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $266,486.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$203,100
28% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$266,486
Median List Price$250,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$250,000
$/Sq Ft$182
Homes Sold12
Sale-to-List Ratio97.1%
Price Drops29.2%
Inventory24

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$845
27% 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-Occupied68.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,509
0% below US avg
Effective Rate1.73%
In Granite Falls, 31.3% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 27.4% report depression. 22.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Granite Falls vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.3%
2% below US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure31.3%
Asthma10.9%
COPD6.6%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.7%
Physical Inactivity22.6%
Depression27.4%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress12.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.5%
Checkup Rate77.1%
Premature Death12,863/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access79.8%
Healthcare Facilities146
Granite Falls has a violent crime rate of 256 per 100,000 residents, 33% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,114 per 100,000 (161% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent255.7/100K
33% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape85.2/100K
Robbery63.9/100K
Assault106.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,114.0/100K
161% above US avg
Burglary617.9/100K
Theft4,432.1/100K
Vehicle Theft63.9/100K
Arson42.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Granite Falls has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average59.0°F
9% above US avg
January Average40°F (4°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.2 inches
24% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,128 ft (344 m)
Area4.9 sq mi (12.8 km²)
Population Density996/sq mi
Coordinates35.7972°N, 81.4244°W
County FIPS37027
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 27.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (19% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 52.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76%
D 23.4%

Winner: Republican by 52.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+27.2%
19% below US avg
High School+90.0%
School Test Score5.46
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density996/sq mi
Total Area4.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities146
Restaurants136
Retail Stores240

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.7 min
Work from Home10.0%

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