Horse Shoe, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Horse Shoe is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 1,699. Residents earn $67,703 per year, which is 10% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
1,699 Population 228/sq mi density
$67,703 Median Income $39,113 per capita
$396,400 Home Value $492,494 Zillow
N/A Median Rent 20.0% income on rent
55°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$67,703 median income, 3.5% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.4 / 5.0
$396,400 home value
A+
Education
4.9 / 5.0
48.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,703
10% lower than US avg
Home Value $396,400
41% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 48.5%
44% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 28.6%
11% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.5%
3% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.6%
63% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,699
Median Age53.1 yrs
Density228/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans12.1%

Economy

A
Median Income$67,703
Per Capita$39,113
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty4.6%
County GDP$6,372M
Commute24 min

Housing

B
Home Value$396,400
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$492,494
Rent Burden20.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity28.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.5%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain51.4 in/yr
Elevation2,648 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+48.5%
High School+98.1%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute24 min
Broadband87.2%
Libraries6

Is Horse Shoe a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Horse Shoe receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Horse Shoe stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Horse Shoe is $67,703, 10% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 4.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Horse Shoe is $396,400, 41% above the national median. The price-to-income ratio of 5.9x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 48.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 98.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Horse Shoe experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Horse Shoe has a population of 1,699 with a density of 228 people per square mile. The median age is 53.1 years, 37% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.4%), with 3.1% Hispanic.

Population

1,699
Total Population
228
People / sq mi
53.1yrs
Median Age
37% above US avg
7.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.1%
Female 49.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Horse Shoe vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.9%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.1%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Horse Shoe vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Horse Shoe is $67,703, which is 10% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Horse Shoe vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,703
10% below US avg
Per Capita Income$39,113
Avg Weekly Wage$1,041
IRS Avg AGI$74,950

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.5%
3% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.6%
63% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,120
County GDP$6,372M

Business (County)

Restaurants250
Healthcare324
Retail407
Manufacturing132

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,686
5% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.93%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.8 min
Drive Alone70.7%
Public Transit3.8%
Work from Home15.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Horse Shoe is $396,400, 41% above the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $492,494.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$396,400
41% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$492,494

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$268
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio97.1%
Price Drops18.8%
Inventory16

Rental Costs

Rent Burden20.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied87.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,686
5% above US avg
Effective Rate0.93%
In Horse Shoe, 28.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 26.5% report depression. 18.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Horse Shoe vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity28.6%
11% below US avg
Diabetes7.9%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure28.7%
Asthma10.6%
COPD5.5%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.6%
Physical Inactivity18.0%
Depression26.5%
Mental Distress16.9%
Physical Distress10.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.9%
Checkup Rate77.4%
Premature Death8,875/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access72.0%
Healthcare Facilities324

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Horse Shoe has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average55.4°F
3% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.4 inches
35% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,648 ft (807 m)
Area7.5 sq mi (19.3 km²)
Population Density228/sq mi
Coordinates35.3324°N, 82.5627°W
County FIPS37089
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 48.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (44% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.6-point margin. 87.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.7%
D 42.2%

Winner: Republican by 14.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+48.5%
44% above US avg
High School+98.1%
School Test Score5.46
A+ Education Grade (4.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density228/sq mi
Total Area7.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access87.2%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities324
Restaurants250
Retail Stores407

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.8 min
Drive Alone70.7%
Public Transit3.8%
Work from Home15.6%

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