Lake Waccamaw, NC

North Carolina

Lake Waccamaw is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 1,666. Residents earn $79,844 per year, which is 6% above the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
1,666 Population 593/sq mi density
$79,844 Median Income $51,097 per capita
$294,800 Home Value $313,731 Zillow
$1,069 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$79,844 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$294,800 home value, $1,069/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
36.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $79,844
6% higher than US avg
Home Value $294,800
5% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 36.8%
9% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,069
8% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.8%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.9%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,666
Median Age50.8 yrs
Density593/mi²
Male / Female47% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 76%

Economy

A+
Median Income$79,844
Per Capita$51,097
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty3.9%
County GDP$1,918M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$294,800
Rent$1,069
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$313,731

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property3,131/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary1,566/100K

Health

Obesity35.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.5%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain50.9 in/yr
Elevation57 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+36.8%
High School+91.0%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 33%
Commute29 min
Libraries7

Is Lake Waccamaw a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lake Waccamaw receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Lake Waccamaw offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake Waccamaw is $79,844, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. Only 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake Waccamaw is $294,800, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,069 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Lake Waccamaw 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 3,131 per 100,000, 60% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 36.8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 91.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Lake Waccamaw enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Lake Waccamaw has a population of 1,666 with a density of 593 people per square mile. The median age is 50.8 years, 31% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.9%), with 9.1% Hispanic, 9.2% Black.

Population

1,666
Total Population
593
People / sq mi
50.8yrs
Median Age
31% above US avg
2.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.5%
Female 53.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake Waccamaw vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake Waccamaw vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake Waccamaw is $79,844, which is 6% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Lake Waccamaw vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$79,844
6% above US avg
Per Capita Income$51,097
Avg Weekly Wage$921
IRS Avg AGI$53,403

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.3%
64% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.9%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,217
County GDP$1,918M

Business (County)

Restaurants94
Healthcare148
Retail192
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,405
3% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.16%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.8 min
Work from Home12.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake Waccamaw is $294,800, 5% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,069 (8% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $313,731.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$294,800
5% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$313,731

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,069
8% 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-Occupied84.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,405
3% below US avg
Effective Rate1.16%
In Lake Waccamaw, 35.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.5% report depression. 23.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.8%
12% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure33.8%
Asthma11.2%
COPD6.8%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.8%
Physical Inactivity23.0%
Depression26.5%
Mental Distress18.4%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.4%
Checkup Rate77.4%
Premature Death16,521/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access38.3%
Healthcare Facilities148
Lake Waccamaw has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,131 per 100,000 (60% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Lake Waccamaw 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 Property3,131.4/100K
60% above US avg
Burglary1,565.7/100K
Theft1,429.5/100K
Vehicle Theft136.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Lake Waccamaw has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average61.8°F
14% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.9 inches
34% above US avg
Snowfall1.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation57 ft (17 m)
Area2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²)
Population Density593/sq mi
Coordinates34.3182°N, 78.5112°W
County FIPS37047
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 36.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (9% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.7%
D 32.8%

Winner: Republican by 33.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+36.8%
9% above US avg
High School+91.0%
School Test Score5.46
B+ Education Grade (3.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density593/sq mi
Total Area2.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities148
Restaurants94
Retail Stores192

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.8 min
Work from Home12.8%

Nearby Cities

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