Laurel Hill, NC

North Carolina

Laurel Hill is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 916. Residents earn $26,250 per year, which is 65% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
916 Population 382/sq mi density
$26,250 Median Income $15,716 per capita
$90,500 Home Value $99,159 Zillow
$1,066 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
63°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Economy
1.4 / 5.0
$26,250 median income, 8.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$90,500 home value, $1,066/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $26,250
65% lower than US avg
Home Value $90,500
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.4%
75% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,066
8% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.1%
37% higher than US avg
Unemployment 8.5%
136% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 40.6%
227% higher than US avg

How Laurel Hill Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population916
Median Age35.5 yrs
Density382/mi²
Male / Female37% / 63%
Largest GroupWhite 35%

Economy

F
Median Income$26,250
Per Capita$15,716
Unemployment8.5%
Poverty40.6%
County GDP$1,560M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$90,500
Rent$1,066
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$99,159
Rent Burden51.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity44.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.1%
Heart Disease7.7%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain41.7 in/yr
Elevation253 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.4%
High School+83.4%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 53% / D 46%
Commute29 min
Libraries2

Is Laurel Hill a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Laurel Hill receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Laurel Hill has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Laurel Hill is $26,250, 65% below the national average of $75,149. At 8.5%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 40.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Laurel Hill is $90,500, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,066 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

8.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Laurel Hill enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Laurel Hill has a population of 916 with a density of 382 people per square mile. The median age is 35.5 years, 9% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (34.8%), with 27.8% Hispanic, 24.7% Black.

Population

916
Total Population
382
People / sq mi
35.5yrs
Median Age
9% below US avg
2.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 36.7%
Female 63.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Laurel Hill vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Laurel Hill vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Laurel Hill is $26,250, which is 65% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 40.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Laurel Hill vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$26,250
65% below US avg
Per Capita Income$15,716
Avg Weekly Wage$962
IRS Avg AGI$48,542

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.5%
136% above US avg
Poverty Rate40.6%
227% above US avg
Establishments (County)706
County GDP$1,560M

Business (County)

Restaurants60
Healthcare109
Retail141
Manufacturing35

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,791
20% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.08%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.4 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Laurel Hill is $90,500, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,066 (8% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $99,159.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$90,500
68% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$99,159

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,066
8% below US avg
Rent Burden51.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,791
20% below US avg
Effective Rate3.08%
In Laurel Hill, 44.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.1% report depression. 31.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Laurel Hill vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.1%
37% above US avg
Diabetes14.0%
Heart Disease7.7%
High Blood Pressure40.5%
Asthma12.7%
COPD10.3%
Stroke4.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.0%
Physical Inactivity31.7%
Depression28.1%
Mental Distress21.9%
Physical Distress16.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.6%
Checkup Rate77.8%
Premature Death16,835/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.2/10
Exercise Access64.2%
Healthcare Facilities109

Crime Rates: Laurel Hill vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Safety Score

Laurel Hill has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average63.4°F
17% above US avg
January Average45°F (7°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.7 inches
10% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation253 ft (77 m)
Area2.4 sq mi (6.2 km²)
Population Density382/sq mi
Coordinates34.8095°N, 79.5455°W
County FIPS37165
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 8.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (75% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 6.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53.2%
D 46.2%

Winner: Republican by 6.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.4%
75% below US avg
High School+83.4%
School Test Score5.46
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density382/sq mi
Total Area2.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities109
Restaurants60
Retail Stores141

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.4 min
Work from Home0.0%

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