Oak City, NC

North Carolina

Oak City is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 472. Residents earn $60,739 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
472 Population 472/sq mi density
$60,739 Median Income $23,436 per capita
$87,400 Home Value $80,762 Zillow
$950 Median Rent 23.8% income on rent
62°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$60,739 median income, 1.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$87,400 home value, $950/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,739
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $87,400
69% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.0%
79% lower than US avg
Median Rent $950
18% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.6%
36% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.0%
72% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.5%
80% lower than US avg

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

People

Population472
Median Age50.0 yrs
Density472/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 27%
Veterans6.5%

Economy

A
Median Income$60,739
Per Capita$23,436
Unemployment1.0%
Poverty2.5%
County GDP$808M
Commute37 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$87,400
Rent$950
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$80,762
Rent Burden23.8%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity43.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.7%
Heart Disease6.8%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain53.2 in/yr
Elevation83 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.0%
High School+85.8%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 55% / D 45%
Commute37 min
Broadband84.8%
Libraries2

Is Oak City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Oak City receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include long commute times, high obesity rates. Oak City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Oak City is $60,739, 19% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.0%. Only 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Oak City is $87,400, 69% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $950 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

7.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Oak City 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 53.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Oak City has a population of 472 with a density of 472 people per square mile. The median age is 50.0 years, 29% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (71.2%), with 27.3% White.

Population

472
Total Population
472
People / sq mi
50.0yrs
Median Age
29% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.6%
Female 54.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Oak City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.9%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.1%
77% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Oak City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Oak City is $60,739, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes.

Income: Oak City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,739
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,436
Avg Weekly Wage$742
IRS Avg AGI$49,342

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.0%
72% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.5%
80% below US avg
Establishments (County)494
County GDP$808M

Business (County)

Restaurants44
Healthcare63
Retail81
Manufacturing12

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,589
26% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.96%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time37.0 min
Drive Alone87.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Oak City is $87,400, 69% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $950 (18% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $80,762.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$87,400
69% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$80,762

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$950
18% below US avg
Rent Burden23.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied42.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,589
26% below US avg
Effective Rate2.96%
In Oak City, 43.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.7% report depression. 31.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Oak City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.6%
36% above US avg
Diabetes15.3%
Heart Disease6.8%
High Blood Pressure42.3%
Asthma12.6%
COPD8.6%
Stroke4.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.4%
Physical Inactivity31.9%
Depression24.7%
Mental Distress20.7%
Physical Distress15.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.3%
Checkup Rate79.6%
Premature Death14,543/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access69.2%
Healthcare Facilities63

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Oak City 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 53.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average61.5°F
14% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall53.2 inches
40% above US avg
Snowfall0.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation83 ft (25 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density472/sq mi
Coordinates35.9625°N, 77.3051°W
County FIPS37117
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 7.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (79% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 10.3-point margin. 84.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 54.9%
D 44.6%

Winner: Republican by 10.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.0%
79% below US avg
High School+85.8%
School Test Score5.46
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density472/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access84.8%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities63
Restaurants44
Retail Stores81

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute37.0 min
Drive Alone87.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.6%

Nearby Cities

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