Henderson, NC

North Carolina

Henderson is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 14,922. Residents earn $38,780 per year, which is 48% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
14,922 Population 1,731/sq mi density
$38,780 Median Income $24,005 per capita
$116,800 Home Value $176,686 Zillow
$835 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature
1,494 Violent Crime/100K 9,353 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$38,780 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$116,800 home value, $835/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,494 violent crimes/100K (293% above avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $38,780
48% lower than US avg
Home Value $116,800
59% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,494/100K
293% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.2%
52% lower than US avg
Median Rent $835
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 46.1%
44% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 21.6%
74% higher than US avg

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

People

Population14,922
Median Age36.6 yrs
Density1,731/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 25%

Economy

C+
Median Income$38,780
Per Capita$24,005
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty21.6%
County GDP$1,689M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$116,800
Rent$835
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$176,686

Crime

F
Violent1,494/100K
Property9,353/100K
Murder26.1/100K
Assault1,122/100K
Burglary2,270/100K

Health

Obesity46.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.7%
Heart Disease6.9%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain48.6 in/yr
Elevation444 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.2%
High School+82.3%
School Score6.35

Community

2024 VoteR 43% / D 56%
Commute22 min
EV Stations7
Libraries1

Is Henderson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Henderson receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Henderson has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Henderson is $38,780, 48% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 21.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Henderson is $116,800, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $835 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 1,494 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 9,353 per 100,000, 377% above the national average.

Education

16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.3/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Henderson enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Henderson has a population of 14,922 with a density of 1,731 people per square mile. The median age is 36.6 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (61.7%), with 25.4% White.

Population

14,922
Total Population
1,731
People / sq mi
36.6yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
8.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.2%
Female 55.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Henderson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.5%
15% above US avg
Spanish9.5%
29% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Henderson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Henderson is $38,780, which is 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 21.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Henderson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$38,780
48% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,005
Avg Weekly Wage$909
IRS Avg AGI$50,725

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate21.6%
74% above US avg
Establishments (County)958
County GDP$1,689M

Business (County)

Restaurants66
Healthcare118
Retail171
Manufacturing36

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,844
19% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.43%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.9 min
Work from Home8.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Henderson is $116,800, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $835 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $176,686.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$116,800
59% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$176,686
Median List Price$164,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$164,900
$/Sq Ft$101
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio86.6%
Price Drops21.7%
Inventory69

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$835
28% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,081

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,227
1 Bedroom$1,429
2 Bedrooms$1,567
3 Bedrooms$1,905
4 Bedrooms$2,629

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied39.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,844
19% below US avg
Effective Rate2.43%
In Henderson, 46.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.7% report depression. 33.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity46.1%
44% above US avg
Diabetes16.2%
Heart Disease6.9%
High Blood Pressure43.4%
Asthma12.9%
COPD8.8%
Stroke4.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking12.0%
Physical Inactivity33.6%
Depression23.7%
Mental Distress20.5%
Physical Distress15.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.0%
Checkup Rate81.3%
Premature Death16,711/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access66.2%
Healthcare Facilities118
Henderson has a violent crime rate of 1,494 per 100,000 residents, 293% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 9,353 per 100,000 (377% above US avg). The murder rate is 26.1 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,493.6/100K
293% above US avg
Murder26.1/100K
314% above US avg
Rape26.1/100K
Robbery319.6/100K
Assault1,121.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property9,353.0/100K
377% above US avg
Burglary2,269.8/100K
Theft6,698.4/100K
Vehicle Theft384.8/100K
Arson65.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Henderson has an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average58.2°F
8% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.6 inches
28% above US avg
Snowfall1.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation444 ft (135 m)
Area8.6 sq mi (22.3 km²)
Population Density1,731/sq mi
Coordinates36.3260°N, 78.4149°W
County FIPS37181
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (52% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 13.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 42.9%
D 56.3%

Winner: Democrat by 13.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.2%
52% below US avg
High School+82.3%
School Test Score6.35
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,731/sq mi
Total Area8.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations7
Alt Fuel Stations9
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities118
Restaurants66
Retail Stores171

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.9 min
Work from Home8.2%

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