Mars Hill, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Mars Hill is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 2,738. Residents earn $77,826 per year, which is 4% above the national average.

4.2 /5.0
A Great
2,738 Population 1,304/sq mi density
$77,826 Median Income $30,660 per capita
$295,700 Home Value $408,024 Zillow
$942 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.2 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$77,826 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$295,700 home value, $942/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
50.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $77,826
4% higher than US avg
Home Value $295,700
5% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 50.1%
49% higher than US avg
Median Rent $942
19% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.9%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.2%
82% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,738
Median Age30.3 yrs
Density1,304/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

A+
Median Income$77,826
Per Capita$30,660
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty2.2%
County GDP$632M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$295,700
Rent$942
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$408,024

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property1,459/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary684/100K

Health

Obesity33.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.2%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain41.6 in/yr
Elevation2,350 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+50.1%
High School+96.9%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 38%
Commute28 min
EV Stations3
Libraries3

Is Mars Hill a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Mars Hill receives an overall livability score of 4.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Mars Hill stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Mars Hill is $77,826, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. Only 2.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Mars Hill is $295,700, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $942 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Mars Hill 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 1,459 per 100,000, 26% below the national average.

Education

Mars Hill is a highly educated community — 50.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 96.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Mars Hill experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.6 inches, including 25.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Mars Hill has a population of 2,738 with a density of 1,304 people per square mile. The median age is 30.3 years, 22% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87%), with 6.2% Black.

Population

2,738
Total Population
1,304
People / sq mi
30.3yrs
Median Age
22% below US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.2%
Female 44.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Mars Hill vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.9%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.1%
69% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Mars Hill vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Mars Hill is $77,826, which is 4% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Mars Hill vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$77,826
4% above US avg
Per Capita Income$30,660
Avg Weekly Wage$915
IRS Avg AGI$59,099

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.2%
82% below US avg
Establishments (County)576
County GDP$632M

Business (County)

Restaurants39
Healthcare41
Retail45
Manufacturing18

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,111
11% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.9 min
Work from Home16.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Mars Hill is $295,700, 5% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $942 (19% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $408,024.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$295,700
5% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$408,024

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$942
19% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,898

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied61.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,111
11% below US avg
Effective Rate1.05%
In Mars Hill, 33.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.2% report depression. 19.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.9%
6% above US avg
Diabetes8.5%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure31.1%
Asthma10.9%
COPD5.9%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.4%
Physical Inactivity19.5%
Depression27.2%
Mental Distress17.3%
Physical Distress11.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.2%
Checkup Rate78.2%
Premature Death11,509/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access88.4%
Healthcare Facilities41
Mars Hill has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,459 per 100,000 (26% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Mars Hill 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 Property1,458.5/100K
26% below US avg
Burglary683.7/100K
Theft729.3/100K
Vehicle Theft45.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Mars Hill has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average54.4°F
1% above US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.6 inches
10% above US avg
Snowfall25.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,350 ft (716 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.4 km²)
Population Density1,304/sq mi
Coordinates35.8282°N, 82.5486°W
County FIPS37115
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 50.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 23.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61%
D 37.5%

Winner: Republican by 23.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+50.1%
49% above US avg
High School+96.9%
School Test Score5.46
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,304/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities41
Restaurants39
Retail Stores45

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.9 min
Work from Home16.5%

Nearby Cities

Compare Mars Hill with another city: