Lincolnton, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Lincolnton is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 11,503. Residents earn $43,294 per year, which is 42% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
11,503 Population 1,282/sq mi density
$43,294 Median Income $28,039 per capita
$224,600 Home Value $291,723 Zillow
$920 Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
472 Violent Crime/100K 4,415 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$43,294 median income, 1.9% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.7 / 5.0
$224,600 home value, $920/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
472 violent crimes/100K (24% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $43,294
42% lower than US avg
Home Value $224,600
20% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 472/100K
24% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.4%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $920
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.3%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.7%
27% higher than US avg

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

People

Population11,503
Median Age37.7 yrs
Density1,282/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 64%

Economy

B
Median Income$43,294
Per Capita$28,039
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty15.7%
County GDP$4,745M
Commute24 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$224,600
Rent$920
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$291,723

Crime

F
Violent472/100K
Property4,415/100K
Murder9.3/100K
Assault333/100K
Burglary704/100K

Health

Obesity38.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.0%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain49.5 in/yr
Elevation906 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.4%
High School+87.3%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 27%
Commute24 min
EV Stations2
Libraries3

Is Lincolnton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lincolnton receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Lincolnton has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lincolnton is $43,294, 42% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. The poverty rate of 15.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lincolnton is $224,600, 20% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $920 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.2x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 472 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,415 per 100,000, 125% above the national average.

Education

19.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Lincolnton enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.5 inches, including 5.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Lincolnton has a population of 11,503 with a density of 1,282 people per square mile. The median age is 37.7 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (64%), with 20.4% Black.

Population

11,503
Total Population
1,282
People / sq mi
37.7yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
9.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.9%
Female 51.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Lincolnton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only85.3%
9% above US avg
Spanish14.7%
10% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Lincolnton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lincolnton is $43,294, which is 42% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Lincolnton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$43,294
42% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,039
Avg Weekly Wage$1,071
IRS Avg AGI$89,345

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.7%
27% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,604
County GDP$4,745M

Business (County)

Restaurants134
Healthcare177
Retail272
Manufacturing105

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,090
17% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.82%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.2 min
Work from Home8.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Lincolnton is $224,600, 20% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $920 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $291,723.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$224,600
20% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$291,723
Median List Price$270,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$270,000
$/Sq Ft$162
Homes Sold10
Sale-to-List Ratio97.1%
Price Drops26.2%
Inventory42

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$920
21% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,442

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied45.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,090
17% above US avg
Effective Rate1.82%
In Lincolnton, 38.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.0% report depression. 26.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.3%
19% above US avg
Diabetes11.3%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure35.3%
Asthma11.5%
COPD7.7%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.0%
Physical Inactivity26.9%
Depression27.0%
Mental Distress19.4%
Physical Distress14.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.7%
Checkup Rate77.0%
Premature Death8,826/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access67.6%
Healthcare Facilities177
Lincolnton has a violent crime rate of 472 per 100,000 residents, 24% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,415 per 100,000 (125% above US avg). The murder rate is 9.3 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent472.1/100K
24% above US avg
Murder9.3/100K
47% above US avg
Rape55.5/100K
Robbery74.1/100K
Assault333.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,415.4/100K
125% above US avg
Burglary703.5/100K
Theft3,582.3/100K
Vehicle Theft129.6/100K
Arson27.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Lincolnton has an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average59.8°F
11% above US avg
January Average41°F (5°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.5 inches
30% above US avg
Snowfall5.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation906 ft (276 m)
Area9.0 sq mi (23.2 km²)
Population Density1,282/sq mi
Coordinates35.4757°N, 81.2392°W
County FIPS37109
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 19.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 45.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.5%
D 26.8%

Winner: Republican by 45.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.4%
42% below US avg
High School+87.3%
School Test Score5.46
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,282/sq mi
Total Area9.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities177
Restaurants134
Retail Stores272

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.2 min
Work from Home8.7%

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