Nags Head, NC

North Carolina

Nags Head is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 3,164. Residents earn $87,619 per year, which is 17% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
3,164 Population 478/sq mi density
$87,619 Median Income $56,595 per capita
$451,100 Home Value $704,645 Zillow
$1,005 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
175 Violent Crime/100K 5,889 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$87,619 median income, 1.1% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.8 / 5.0
$451,100 home value, $1,005/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
175 violent crimes/100K (54% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
51.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $87,619
17% higher than US avg
Home Value $451,100
60% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 175/100K
54% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 51.7%
53% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,005
14% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.6%
5% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.1%
69% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population3,164
Median Age59.1 yrs
Density478/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

A+
Median Income$87,619
Per Capita$56,595
Unemployment1.1%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$3,087M
Commute24 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$451,100
Rent$1,005
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$704,645

Crime

F
Violent175/100K
Property5,889/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault140/100K
Burglary2,419/100K

Health

Obesity30.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.3%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain46.6 in/yr
Elevation12 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+51.7%
High School+96.1%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 40%
Commute24 min
EV Stations5
Libraries3

Is Nags Head a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Nags Head receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Nags Head offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Nags Head is $87,619, 17% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.1%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Nags Head is $451,100, making it a premium housing market at 60% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,005 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.1x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Nags Head is below the national average at 175 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,889 per 100,000, 200% above the national average.

Education

Nags Head is a highly educated community — 51.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 96.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Nags Head enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Nags Head has a population of 3,164 with a density of 478 people per square mile. The median age is 59.1 years, 52% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.2%), with 1.1% Black.

Population

3,164
Total Population
478
People / sq mi
59.1yrs
Median Age
52% above US avg
6.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.3%
Female 46.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Nags Head vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Nags Head vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Nags Head is $87,619, which is 17% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Nags Head vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$87,619
17% above US avg
Per Capita Income$56,595
Avg Weekly Wage$894
IRS Avg AGI$87,788

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.1%
69% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,329
County GDP$3,087M

Business (County)

Restaurants351
Healthcare106
Retail436
Manufacturing36

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,288
23% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.95%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.7 min
Work from Home15.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Nags Head is $451,100, 60% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,005 (14% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $704,645.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$451,100
60% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$704,645
Median List Price$852,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$852,000
$/Sq Ft$385
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio95.7%
Price Drops16.0%
Inventory75

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,005
14% 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-Occupied77.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,288
23% above US avg
Effective Rate0.95%
In Nags Head, 30.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 26.3% report depression. 17.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Nags Head vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.6%
5% below US avg
Diabetes7.9%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure29.6%
Asthma10.2%
COPD5.1%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.8%
Physical Inactivity17.6%
Depression26.3%
Mental Distress16.0%
Physical Distress10.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.1%
Checkup Rate77.8%
Premature Death8,307/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access66.2%
Healthcare Facilities106
Nags Head has a violent crime rate of 175 per 100,000 residents, 54% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,889 per 100,000 (200% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent175.3/100K
54% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape35.1/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault140.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,888.5/100K
200% above US avg
Burglary2,418.5/100K
Theft3,435.0/100K
Vehicle Theft35.1/100K
Arson35.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Nags Head has an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average61.6°F
14% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average80°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

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

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation12 ft (4 m)
Area6.6 sq mi (17.1 km²)
Population Density478/sq mi
Coordinates35.9475°N, 75.6257°W
County FIPS37055
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 51.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 18.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 58.9%
D 40.1%

Winner: Republican by 18.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+51.7%
53% above US avg
High School+96.1%
School Test Score5.46
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density478/sq mi
Total Area6.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities106
Restaurants351
Retail Stores436

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.7 min
Work from Home15.1%

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