Lake Lure, NC

North Carolina

Lake Lure is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 1,488. Residents earn $72,813 per year, which is 3% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
1,488 Population 113/sq mi density
$72,813 Median Income $66,090 per capita
$510,300 Home Value $441,953 Zillow
$778 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$72,813 median income, 1.2% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.7 / 5.0
$510,300 home value, $778/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
58.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $72,813
3% lower than US avg
Home Value $510,300
81% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 58.7%
74% higher than US avg
Median Rent $778
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.4%
4% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.8%
53% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,488
Median Age61.8 yrs
Density113/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

A
Median Income$72,813
Per Capita$66,090
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty5.8%
County GDP$734M
Commute38 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$510,300
Rent$778
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$441,953

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property1,257/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary251/100K

Health

Obesity33.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.9%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain59.3 in/yr

Education

A+
Bachelor's+58.7%
High School+96.3%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute38 min
EV Stations1
Libraries2

Is Lake Lure a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lake Lure receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, long commute times. Lake Lure offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake Lure is $72,813, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. Only 5.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake Lure is $510,300, making it a premium housing market at 81% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $778 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Lake Lure is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,257 per 100,000, 36% below the national average.

Education

Lake Lure is a highly educated community — 58.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 96.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Lake Lure enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 59.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Lake Lure has a population of 1,488 with a density of 113 people per square mile. The median age is 61.8 years, 59% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.7%), with 4.5% Hispanic.

Population

1,488
Total Population
113
People / sq mi
61.8yrs
Median Age
59% above US avg
13.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45%
Female 55%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake Lure vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.8%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.2%
61% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake Lure vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake Lure is $72,813, which is 3% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes.

Income: Lake Lure vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$72,813
3% below US avg
Per Capita Income$66,090
Avg Weekly Wage$891
IRS Avg AGI$80,337

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.8%
53% below US avg
Establishments (County)707
County GDP$734M

Business (County)

Restaurants57
Healthcare51
Retail62
Manufacturing27

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,014
15% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.79%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time38.0 min
Work from Home29.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake Lure is $510,300, 81% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $778 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $441,953.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$510,300
81% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$441,953
Median List Price$475,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$475,000
$/Sq Ft$252
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio105.8%
Price Drops8.6%
Inventory58

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$778
33% 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-Occupied86.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,014
15% above US avg
Effective Rate0.79%
In Lake Lure, 33.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.9% report depression. 19.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lake Lure vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.4%
4% above US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure30.6%
Asthma10.5%
COPD5.7%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.6%
Physical Inactivity19.5%
Depression26.9%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress11.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.5%
Checkup Rate77.3%
Premature Death10,657/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access61.0%
Healthcare Facilities51
Lake Lure has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,257 per 100,000 (36% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,257.3/100K
36% below US avg
Burglary251.5/100K
Theft1,005.9/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Lake Lure has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 59.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average58.6°F
9% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall59.3 inches
56% above US avg
Snowfall3.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area13.2 sq mi (34.1 km²)
Population Density113/sq mi
Coordinates35.4484°N, 82.2022°W
County FIPS37149
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 58.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.2%
D 37%

Winner: Republican by 25.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+58.7%
74% above US avg
High School+96.3%
School Test Score5.46
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density113/sq mi
Total Area13.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities51
Restaurants57
Retail Stores62

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute38.0 min
Work from Home29.1%

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