James City, NC

North Carolina

James City is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 4,859. Residents earn $63,835 per year, which is 15% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
4,859 Population 631/sq mi density
$63,835 Median Income $35,308 per capita
$175,700 Home Value
$1,028 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$63,835 median income, 0.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$175,700 home value, $1,028/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,835
15% lower than US avg
Home Value $175,700
38% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.2%
28% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,028
12% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.3%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.6%
55% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,859
Median Age51.3 yrs
Density631/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 76%

Economy

A
Median Income$63,835
Per Capita$35,308
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty5.6%
County GDP$378M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$175,700
Rent$1,028
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.2%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain56.8 in/yr
Elevation26 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.2%
High School+92.4%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 34%
Commute19 min
Libraries1

Is James City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, James City receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. James City stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in James City is $63,835, 15% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. Only 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in James City is $175,700, 38% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,028 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

24.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

James City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 56.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

James City has a population of 4,859 with a density of 631 people per square mile. The median age is 51.3 years, 32% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (76.2%), with 2.1% Hispanic, 15.2% Black.

Population

4,859
Total Population
631
People / sq mi
51.3yrs
Median Age
32% above US avg
7.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.3%
Female 54.7%

Race & Ethnicity

James City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.9%
20% above US avg
Spanish6.1%
54% below US avg

Social Characteristics

James City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in James City is $63,835, which is 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: James City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,835
15% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,308
Avg Weekly Wage$712
IRS Avg AGI$67,772

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.6%
55% below US avg
Establishments (County)348
County GDP$378M

Business (County)

Restaurants29
Healthcare22
Retail44
Manufacturing9

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,604
3% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.9 min
Work from Home7.8%

Walkability

The median home value in James City is $175,700, 38% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,028 (12% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$175,700
38% below US avg
Median List Price$339,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$339,000
$/Sq Ft$162
Homes Sold13
Sale-to-List Ratio99.8%
Price Drops13.8%
Inventory29

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,028
12% 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-Occupied82.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,604
3% above US avg
Effective Rate2.05%
In James City, 36.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.2% report depression. 21.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: James City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.3%
13% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure33.4%
Asthma11.0%
COPD6.3%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.1%
Physical Inactivity21.8%
Depression26.2%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.7%
Checkup Rate78.5%
Premature Death13,808/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access76.2%
Healthcare Facilities22

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

James City has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 56.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average63.3°F
17% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall56.8 inches
49% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation26 ft (8 m)
Area7.7 sq mi (19.9 km²)
Population Density631/sq mi
Coordinates35.0454°N, 76.9981°W
County FIPS37137
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 24.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (28% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 32.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65.7%
D 33.6%

Winner: Republican by 32.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.2%
28% below US avg
High School+92.4%
School Test Score5.46
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density631/sq mi
Total Area7.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities22
Restaurants29
Retail Stores44

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.9 min
Work from Home7.8%

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