Polkton, NC

North Carolina

Polkton is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 2,759. Residents earn $45,625 per year, which is 39% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
2,759 Population 905/sq mi density
$45,625 Median Income $12,734 per capita
$134,100 Home Value $179,608 Zillow
$936 Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$45,625 median income, 0.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$134,100 home value, $936/mo rent
F
Education
1.2 / 5.0
2.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $45,625
39% lower than US avg
Home Value $134,100
52% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 2.3%
93% lower than US avg
Median Rent $936
20% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.0%
37% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 23.9%
93% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,759
Median Age39.0 yrs
Density905/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 47%

Economy

B
Median Income$45,625
Per Capita$12,734
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty23.9%
County GDP$2,785M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$134,100
Rent$936
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$179,608

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity44.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.7%
Heart Disease7.4%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain48.3 in/yr
Elevation274 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+2.3%
High School+79.5%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute23 min
Libraries6

Is Polkton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Polkton receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Polkton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Polkton is $45,625, 39% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. The poverty rate of 23.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Polkton is $134,100, 52% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $936 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

2.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 79.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Polkton enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Polkton has a population of 2,759 with a density of 905 people per square mile. The median age is 39.0 years, 0% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (47.1%), with 5.3% Hispanic, 42.3% Black.

Population

2,759
Total Population
905
People / sq mi
39.0yrs
Median Age
0% below US avg
3.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52%
Female 48%

Race & Ethnicity

Polkton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.1%
16% above US avg
Spanish8.9%
34% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Polkton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Polkton is $45,625, which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 23.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Polkton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$45,625
39% below US avg
Per Capita Income$12,734
Avg Weekly Wage$860
IRS Avg AGI$67,178

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate23.9%
93% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,703
County GDP$2,785M

Business (County)

Restaurants130
Healthcare162
Retail249
Manufacturing85

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,478
1% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.59%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.3 min
Work from Home5.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Polkton is $134,100, 52% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $936 (20% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $179,608.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$134,100
52% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$179,608

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$88
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio99.6%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$936
20% 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-Occupied44.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,478
1% below US avg
Effective Rate2.59%
In Polkton, 44.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.7% report depression. 32.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.0%
37% above US avg
Diabetes15.0%
Heart Disease7.4%
High Blood Pressure42.3%
Asthma12.5%
COPD9.2%
Stroke4.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.2%
Physical Inactivity32.8%
Depression25.7%
Mental Distress21.4%
Physical Distress15.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate82.7%
Checkup Rate79.2%
Premature Death10,233/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access68.0%
Healthcare Facilities162

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Polkton has an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average60.3°F
12% above US avg
January Average41°F (5°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.3 inches
27% above US avg
Snowfall0.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation274 ft (84 m)
Area3.1 sq mi (7.9 km²)
Population Density905/sq mi
Coordinates35.0030°N, 80.1963°W
County FIPS37167
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 2.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (93% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 50.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.1%
D 24.2%

Winner: Republican by 50.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+2.3%
93% below US avg
High School+79.5%
School Test Score5.46
F Education Grade (1.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density905/sq mi
Total Area3.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities162
Restaurants130
Retail Stores249

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.3 min
Work from Home5.4%

Nearby Cities

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