Laurinburg, NC

North Carolina

Laurinburg is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 15,079. Residents earn $39,258 per year, which is 48% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
15,079 Population 1,202/sq mi density
$39,258 Median Income $32,270 per capita
$121,500 Home Value $138,661 Zillow
$766 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
1,036 Violent Crime/100K 5,492 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$39,258 median income, 5.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$121,500 home value, $766/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,036 violent crimes/100K (173% above avg)
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,258
48% lower than US avg
Home Value $121,500
57% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,036/100K
173% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.8%
44% lower than US avg
Median Rent $766
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 46.3%
44% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.4%
50% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 29.0%
134% higher than US avg

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

People

Population15,079
Median Age37.9 yrs
Density1,202/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 34%

Economy

C
Median Income$39,258
Per Capita$32,270
Unemployment5.4%
Poverty29.0%
County GDP$1,560M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$121,500
Rent$766
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$138,661

Crime

F
Violent1,036/100K
Property5,492/100K
Murder6.4/100K
Assault795/100K
Burglary2,867/100K

Health

Obesity46.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.7%
Heart Disease7.3%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain46.6 in/yr
Elevation218 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+18.8%
High School+83.3%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 53% / D 46%
Commute20 min
EV Stations5
Libraries2

Is Laurinburg a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Laurinburg is $39,258, 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.4% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 29.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Laurinburg is $121,500, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $766 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 1,036 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,492 per 100,000, 180% above the national average.

Education

18.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Laurinburg enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Laurinburg has a population of 15,079 with a density of 1,202 people per square mile. The median age is 37.9 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (48%), with 33.8% White, 10.2% Hispanic.

Population

15,079
Total Population
1,202
People / sq mi
37.9yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
12.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.7%
Female 51.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Laurinburg vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.1%
21% above US avg
Spanish4.9%
63% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Laurinburg vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Laurinburg is $39,258, which is 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 29.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Laurinburg vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,258
48% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,270
Avg Weekly Wage$962
IRS Avg AGI$48,542

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.4%
50% above US avg
Poverty Rate29.0%
134% 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 Rate2.30%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.4 min
Work from Home7.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Laurinburg is $121,500, 57% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $766 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $138,661.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$121,500
57% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$138,661
Median List Price$229,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$229,000
$/Sq Ft$107
Homes Sold16
Sale-to-List Ratio92.2%
Price Drops21.3%
Inventory47

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$766
34% 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-Occupied45.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,791
20% below US avg
Effective Rate2.30%
In Laurinburg, 46.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.7% report depression. 33.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Laurinburg vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity46.3%
44% above US avg
Diabetes15.4%
Heart Disease7.3%
High Blood Pressure43.1%
Asthma13.2%
COPD9.8%
Stroke4.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking12.9%
Physical Inactivity33.8%
Depression25.7%
Mental Distress21.3%
Physical Distress16.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.2%
Checkup Rate80.2%
Premature Death16,835/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.2/10
Exercise Access64.2%
Healthcare Facilities109
Laurinburg has a violent crime rate of 1,036 per 100,000 residents, 173% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,492 per 100,000 (180% above US avg). The murder rate is 6.4 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,036.2/100K
173% above US avg
Murder6.4/100K
1% above US avg
Rape50.9/100K
Robbery184.4/100K
Assault794.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,492.3/100K
180% above US avg
Burglary2,867.0/100K
Theft2,428.3/100K
Vehicle Theft197.1/100K
Arson44.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Laurinburg has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average63.7°F
18% above US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.6 inches
23% above US avg
Snowfall1.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation218 ft (66 m)
Area12.6 sq mi (32.5 km²)
Population Density1,202/sq mi
Coordinates34.7621°N, 79.4774°W
County FIPS37165
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 18.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (44% 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+18.8%
44% below US avg
High School+83.3%
School Test Score5.46
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,202/sq mi
Total Area12.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities109
Restaurants60
Retail Stores141

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.4 min
Work from Home7.9%

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