Northwest, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Northwest is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 690. Residents earn $53,143 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
690 Population 96/sq mi density
$53,143 Median Income $28,131 per capita
$183,700 Home Value
$1,006 Median Rent 29.6% income on rent
63°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$53,143 median income, 4.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$183,700 home value, $1,006/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,143
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $183,700
35% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.8%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,006
13% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.0%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.3%
19% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.0%
3% lower than US avg

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

People

Population690
Median Age51.9 yrs
Density96/mi²
Male / Female38% / 62%
Largest GroupWhite 30%

Economy

B
Median Income$53,143
Per Capita$28,131
Unemployment4.3%
Poverty12.0%
County GDP$8,081M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$183,700
Rent$1,006
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden29.6%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI40 (Good)
Elevation59 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.8%
High School+93.0%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute24 min
Libraries5

Is Northwest a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Northwest receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Northwest offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Northwest is $53,143, 29% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.3%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Northwest is $183,700, 35% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,006 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

17.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Northwest enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Northwest has a population of 690 with a density of 96 people per square mile. The median age is 51.9 years, 33% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (65.4%), with 29.7% White, 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

690
Total Population
96
People / sq mi
51.9yrs
Median Age
33% above US avg
7.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 38.4%
Female 61.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Northwest vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.1%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.9%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Northwest vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Northwest is $53,143, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Northwest vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,143
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,131
Avg Weekly Wage$994
IRS Avg AGI$84,518

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.3%
19% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.0%
3% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,448
County GDP$8,081M

Business (County)

Restaurants347
Healthcare248
Retail491
Manufacturing76

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,085
17% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.22%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.7 min
Work from Home12.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Northwest is $183,700, 35% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,006 (13% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$183,700
35% below US avg
Median List Price$364,140

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$364,140
$/Sq Ft$158
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio95.3%
Price Drops47.1%
Inventory17

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,006
13% below US avg
Rent Burden29.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied87.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,085
17% above US avg
Effective Rate2.22%
In Northwest, 40.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.5% report depression. 27.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.0%
25% above US avg
Diabetes13.1%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure38.0%
Asthma12.0%
COPD6.5%
Stroke4.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.8%
Physical Inactivity27.1%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress12.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.8%
Checkup Rate81.3%
Premature Death10,048/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access76.8%
Healthcare Facilities248

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)22

Safety Score

Northwest has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average62.7°F
16% above US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation59 ft (18 m)
Area7.2 sq mi (18.6 km²)
Population Density96/sq mi
Coordinates34.3160°N, 78.1448°W
County FIPS37019
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 17.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 24.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62%
D 37.2%

Winner: Republican by 24.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.8%
47% below US avg
High School+93.0%
School Test Score5.46
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density96/sq mi
Total Area7.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities248
Restaurants347
Retail Stores491

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)22

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.7 min
Work from Home12.3%

Nearby Cities

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