Oak Ridge, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Oak Ridge is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 7,660. Residents earn $140,583 per year, which is 87% above the national average.

4.9 /5.0
A+ Excellent
7,660 Population 457/sq mi density
$140,583 Median Income $67,804 per capita
$523,500 Home Value $585,585 Zillow
N/A Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.9 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$140,583 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$523,500 home value
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
50.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $140,583
87% higher than US avg
Home Value $523,500
86% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 50.6%
50% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.7%
4% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.3%
90% lower than US avg

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

People

Population7,660
Median Age46.1 yrs
Density457/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 77%

Economy

A+
Median Income$140,583
Per Capita$67,804
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty1.3%
County GDP$46,945M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$523,500
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$585,585

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity30.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.9%
Heart Disease4.3%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain44.0 in/yr
Elevation928 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+50.6%
High School+98.4%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 38% / D 60%
Commute23 min
Libraries11

Is Oak Ridge a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Oak Ridge receives an overall livability score of 4.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Oak Ridge stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Oak Ridge is $140,583, which is significantly higher than the national average — 87% above $75,149. This places Oak Ridge among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. Only 1.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Oak Ridge is $523,500, making it a premium housing market at 86% above the U.S. median of $281,900. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Oak Ridge is a highly educated community — 50.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 98.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Oak Ridge enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.0 inches, including 7.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Oak Ridge has a population of 7,660 with a density of 457 people per square mile. The median age is 46.1 years, 19% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (77.3%), with 3.6% Black.

Population

7,660
Total Population
457
People / sq mi
46.1yrs
Median Age
19% above US avg
16.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.2%
Female 47.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Oak Ridge vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.0%
11% above US avg
Spanish13.0%
3% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Oak Ridge vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Oak Ridge is $140,583, which is 87% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Oak Ridge vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$140,583
87% above US avg
Per Capita Income$67,804
Avg Weekly Wage$1,184
IRS Avg AGI$80,192

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.3%
90% below US avg
Establishments (County)17,452
County GDP$46,945M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,318
Healthcare1,448
Retail1,879
Manufacturing544

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,308
52% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.01%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.0 min
Work from Home28.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Oak Ridge is $523,500, 86% above the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $585,585.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$523,500
86% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$585,585
Median List Price$829,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$829,000
$/Sq Ft$208
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio98.9%
Price Drops10.3%
Inventory29

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied92.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,308
52% above US avg
Effective Rate1.01%
In Oak Ridge, 30.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 24.9% report depression. 15.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.7%
4% below US avg
Diabetes7.4%
Heart Disease4.3%
High Blood Pressure27.7%
Asthma9.7%
COPD4.0%
Stroke2.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.8%
Physical Inactivity15.4%
Depression24.9%
Mental Distress14.7%
Physical Distress9.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.7%
Checkup Rate78.2%
Premature Death9,267/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access89.5%
Healthcare Facilities1,448

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)62

Safety Score

Oak Ridge has an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 44.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average59.6°F
10% above US avg
January Average40°F (4°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall44.0 inches
16% above US avg
Snowfall7.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation928 ft (283 m)
Area16.8 sq mi (43.4 km²)
Population Density457/sq mi
Coordinates36.1741°N, 79.9922°W
County FIPS37081
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 50.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 21.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 38.4%
D 60.2%

Winner: Democrat by 21.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+50.6%
50% above US avg
High School+98.4%
School Test Score5.46
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density457/sq mi
Total Area16.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities1,448
Restaurants1,318
Retail Stores1,879

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)62

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.0 min
Work from Home28.5%

Nearby Cities

Compare Oak Ridge with another city: