Mount Airy, NC

North Carolina

Mount Airy is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 10,631. Residents earn $39,873 per year, which is 47% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
10,631 Population 908/sq mi density
$39,873 Median Income $34,565 per capita
$176,600 Home Value $203,247 Zillow
$699 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
451 Violent Crime/100K 4,722 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.7 / 5.0
$39,873 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$176,600 home value, $699/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
451 violent crimes/100K (19% above avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,873
47% lower than US avg
Home Value $176,600
37% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 451/100K
19% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.3%
28% lower than US avg
Median Rent $699
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.9%
34% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 24.4%
97% higher than US avg

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

People

Population10,631
Median Age46.7 yrs
Density908/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

C+
Median Income$39,873
Per Capita$34,565
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty24.4%
County GDP$3,540M
Commute19 min

Housing

A
Home Value$176,600
Rent$699
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$203,247

Crime

F
Violent451/100K
Property4,722/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault374/100K
Burglary960/100K

Health

Obesity42.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.7%
Heart Disease7.0%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain51.0 in/yr
Elevation1,077 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.3%
High School+83.9%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 23%
Commute19 min
EV Stations3
Libraries5

Is Mount Airy a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Mount Airy 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 an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Mount Airy has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Mount Airy is $39,873, 47% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 24.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Mount Airy is $176,600, 37% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $699 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 451 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,722 per 100,000, 141% above the national average.

Education

24.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Mount Airy experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Mount Airy has a population of 10,631 with a density of 908 people per square mile. The median age is 46.7 years, 20% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.7%), with 8.5% Black.

Population

10,631
Total Population
908
People / sq mi
46.7yrs
Median Age
20% above US avg
11.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.7%
Female 52.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Mount Airy vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.3%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.7%
43% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Mount Airy vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Mount Airy is $39,873, which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 24.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Mount Airy vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,873
47% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,565
Avg Weekly Wage$949
IRS Avg AGI$63,723

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate24.4%
97% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,028
County GDP$3,540M

Business (County)

Restaurants162
Healthcare164
Retail315
Manufacturing97

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,160
10% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.79%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.7 min
Work from Home3.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Mount Airy is $176,600, 37% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $699 (40% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $203,247.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$176,600
37% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$203,247
Median List Price$269,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$269,900
$/Sq Ft$172
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio93.2%
Price Drops18.0%
Inventory39

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$699
40% 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-Occupied56.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,160
10% below US avg
Effective Rate1.79%
In Mount Airy, 42.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.7% report depression. 30.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Mount Airy vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.9%
34% above US avg
Diabetes12.3%
Heart Disease7.0%
High Blood Pressure36.2%
Asthma11.8%
COPD9.5%
Stroke4.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.9%
Physical Inactivity30.0%
Depression28.7%
Mental Distress20.2%
Physical Distress15.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.5%
Checkup Rate77.6%
Premature Death10,742/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access47.6%
Healthcare Facilities164
Mount Airy has a violent crime rate of 451 per 100,000 residents, 19% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,722 per 100,000 (141% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent451.1/100K
19% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape28.8/100K
Robbery48.0/100K
Assault374.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,721.7/100K
141% above US avg
Burglary959.7/100K
Theft3,531.7/100K
Vehicle Theft230.3/100K
Arson19.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Mount Airy has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average52.7°F
2% below US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.0 inches
34% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,077 ft (328 m)
Area11.7 sq mi (30.3 km²)
Population Density908/sq mi
Coordinates36.5085°N, 80.6145°W
County FIPS37171
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 24.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (28% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 53.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.3%
D 23%

Winner: Republican by 53.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.3%
28% below US avg
High School+83.9%
School Test Score5.46
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density908/sq mi
Total Area11.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities164
Restaurants162
Retail Stores315

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.7 min
Work from Home3.5%

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