Oxford, NC

North Carolina

Oxford is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 8,897. Residents earn $48,135 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
8,897 Population 1,390/sq mi density
$48,135 Median Income $27,315 per capita
$177,200 Home Value $245,550 Zillow
$986 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
880 Violent Crime/100K 6,710 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$48,135 median income, 3.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$177,200 home value, $986/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
880 violent crimes/100K (132% above avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
20.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,135
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $177,200
37% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 880/100K
132% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.7%
39% lower than US avg
Median Rent $986
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.1%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 23.8%
92% higher than US avg

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

People

Population8,897
Median Age43.1 yrs
Density1,390/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 35%

Economy

C+
Median Income$48,135
Per Capita$27,315
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty23.8%
County GDP$4,941M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$177,200
Rent$986
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$245,550

Crime

F
Violent880/100K
Property6,710/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault640/100K
Burglary2,572/100K

Health

Obesity40.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.1%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain46.6 in/yr
Elevation448 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.7%
High School+86.7%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 45%
Commute27 min
EV Stations2
Libraries4

Is Oxford a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Oxford receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Oxford has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Oxford is $48,135, 36% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 23.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Oxford is $177,200, 37% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $986 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 880 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,710 per 100,000, 242% above the national average.

Education

20.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Oxford enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Oxford has a population of 8,897 with a density of 1,390 people per square mile. The median age is 43.1 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (54.9%), with 34.8% White, 3.1% Hispanic.

Population

8,897
Total Population
1,390
People / sq mi
43.1yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
6.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.7%
Female 56.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Oxford vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.8%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.2%
46% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Oxford vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Oxford is $48,135, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 23.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Oxford vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,135
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,315
Avg Weekly Wage$1,141
IRS Avg AGI$69,056

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate23.8%
92% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,132
County GDP$4,941M

Business (County)

Restaurants74
Healthcare103
Retail142
Manufacturing45

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,288
6% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.86%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.5 min
Work from Home8.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Oxford is $177,200, 37% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $986 (15% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $245,550.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$177,200
37% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$245,550
Median List Price$320,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$320,000
$/Sq Ft$205
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio99.6%
Price Drops20.8%
Inventory24

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$986
15% 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-Occupied52.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,288
6% below US avg
Effective Rate1.86%
In Oxford, 40.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.1% report depression. 29.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.1%
25% above US avg
Diabetes13.6%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure40.4%
Asthma12.7%
COPD7.8%
Stroke4.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.0%
Physical Inactivity29.5%
Depression24.1%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress14.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.2%
Checkup Rate80.5%
Premature Death9,720/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access47.7%
Healthcare Facilities103
Oxford has a violent crime rate of 880 per 100,000 residents, 132% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 6,710 per 100,000 (242% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent880.2/100K
132% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape22.9/100K
Robbery217.2/100K
Assault640.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property6,710.1/100K
242% above US avg
Burglary2,572.0/100K
Theft3,943.8/100K
Vehicle Theft194.3/100K
Arson68.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Oxford has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average59.4°F
10% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.6 inches
23% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation448 ft (137 m)
Area6.4 sq mi (16.6 km²)
Population Density1,390/sq mi
Coordinates36.3217°N, 78.5865°W
County FIPS37077
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 20.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (39% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 9.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 54.3%
D 44.8%

Winner: Republican by 9.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.7%
39% below US avg
High School+86.7%
School Test Score5.46
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,390/sq mi
Total Area6.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities103
Restaurants74
Retail Stores142

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.5 min
Work from Home8.3%

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