Hot Springs, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Hot Springs is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 494. Residents earn $39,167 per year, which is 48% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
494 Population 172/sq mi density
$39,167 Median Income $29,428 per capita
$184,900 Home Value $317,853 Zillow
$488 Median Rent 33.3% income on rent
58°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$39,167 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$184,900 home value, $488/mo rent
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,167
48% lower than US avg
Home Value $184,900
34% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.3%
25% lower than US avg
Median Rent $488
58% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.4%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.2%
63% higher than US avg

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

People

Population494
Median Age46.4 yrs
Density172/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans16.2%

Economy

B
Median Income$39,167
Per Capita$29,428
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty20.2%
County GDP$632M
Commute25 min

Housing

A
Home Value$184,900
Rent$488
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$317,853
Rent Burden33.3%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.0%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain46.7 in/yr
Elevation1,365 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.3%
High School+97.4%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 38%
Commute25 min
Broadband84.3%
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Is Hot Springs a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Hot Springs receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Hot Springs offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Hot Springs is $39,167, 48% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. The poverty rate of 20.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Hot Springs is $184,900, 34% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $488 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

25.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Hot Springs enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.7 inches, including 6.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Hot Springs has a population of 494 with a density of 172 people per square mile. The median age is 46.4 years, 19% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.4%), with 2.6% Hispanic.

Population

494
Total Population
172
People / sq mi
46.4yrs
Median Age
19% above US avg
2.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.8%
Female 52.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Hot Springs vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.8%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.2%
69% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Hot Springs vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Hot Springs is $39,167, which is 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 20.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Hot Springs vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,167
48% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,428
Avg Weekly Wage$915
IRS Avg AGI$59,099

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate20.2%
63% above US avg
Establishments (County)576
County GDP$632M

Business (County)

Restaurants39
Healthcare41
Retail45
Manufacturing18

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,111
11% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.68%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.2 min
Drive Alone80.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Hot Springs is $184,900, 34% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $488 (58% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $317,853.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$184,900
34% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$317,853
Median List Price$245,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$245,000
$/Sq Ft$155
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio94.1%
Price Drops42.9%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$488
58% below US avg
Rent Burden33.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied51.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,111
11% below US avg
Effective Rate1.68%
In Hot Springs, 36.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.0% report depression. 23.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Hot Springs vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.4%
13% above US avg
Diabetes9.9%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure33.6%
Asthma11.5%
COPD7.6%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.3%
Physical Inactivity23.4%
Depression29.0%
Mental Distress19.7%
Physical Distress13.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.8%
Checkup Rate77.0%
Premature Death11,509/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access88.4%
Healthcare Facilities41

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Hot Springs has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

38°F Jan (4°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average58.0°F
7% above US avg
January Average38°F (4°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.7 inches
23% above US avg
Snowfall6.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,365 ft (416 m)
Area2.9 sq mi (7.4 km²)
Population Density172/sq mi
Coordinates35.8936°N, 82.8294°W
County FIPS37115
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 25.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (25% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 23.5-point margin. 84.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61%
D 37.5%

Winner: Republican by 23.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.3%
25% below US avg
High School+97.4%
School Test Score5.46
B Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density172/sq mi
Total Area2.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access84.3%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities41
Restaurants39
Retail Stores45

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.2 min
Drive Alone80.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.9%

Nearby Cities

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