Princeton, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Princeton is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 1,543. Residents earn $36,656 per year, which is 51% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
1,543 Population 1,319/sq mi density
$36,656 Median Income $25,091 per capita
$165,800 Home Value $270,616 Zillow
$686 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$36,656 median income, 0.9% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.1 / 5.0
$165,800 home value, $686/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $36,656
51% lower than US avg
Home Value $165,800
41% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.4%
69% lower than US avg
Median Rent $686
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.9%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.9%
75% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.5%
56% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,543
Median Age34.8 yrs
Density1,319/mi²
Male / Female41% / 59%
Largest GroupWhite 51%

Economy

B+
Median Income$36,656
Per Capita$25,091
Unemployment0.9%
Poverty5.5%
County GDP$6,769M
Commute28 min

Housing

A
Home Value$165,800
Rent$686
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$270,616

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.4%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain51.0 in/yr
Elevation151 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.4%
High School+80.1%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 41%
Commute28 min
Libraries3

Is Princeton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Princeton receives an overall livability score of 3.2 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 below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Princeton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Princeton is $36,656, 51% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.9%. Only 5.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Princeton is $165,800, 41% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $686 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

10.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Princeton 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 51.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Princeton has a population of 1,543 with a density of 1,319 people per square mile. The median age is 34.8 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (50.6%), with 19.1% Black.

Population

1,543
Total Population
1,319
People / sq mi
34.8yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 40.7%
Female 59.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Princeton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only80.7%
3% above US avg
Spanish19.3%
44% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Princeton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Princeton is $36,656, which is 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Princeton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$36,656
51% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,091
Avg Weekly Wage$944
IRS Avg AGI$56,445

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.9%
75% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.5%
56% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,557
County GDP$6,769M

Business (County)

Restaurants224
Healthcare252
Retail454
Manufacturing56

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,371
4% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.03%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.1 min
Work from Home4.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Princeton is $165,800, 41% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $686 (41% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $270,616.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$165,800
41% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$270,616
Median List Price$257,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$257,000
$/Sq Ft$170
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio96.3%
Price Drops10.0%
Inventory10

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$686
41% 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-Occupied48.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,371
4% below US avg
Effective Rate2.03%
In Princeton, 38.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.4% report depression. 29.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.9%
21% above US avg
Diabetes13.2%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure37.4%
Asthma12.3%
COPD9.1%
Stroke4.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.4%
Physical Inactivity29.8%
Depression27.4%
Mental Distress20.7%
Physical Distress15.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate82.9%
Checkup Rate78.3%
Premature Death11,854/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access86.2%
Healthcare Facilities252

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)21

Safety Score

Princeton 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 51.0 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 Rainfall51.0 inches
34% above US avg
Snowfall1.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation151 ft (46 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²)
Population Density1,319/sq mi
Coordinates35.4667°N, 78.1616°W
County FIPS37191
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 10.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (69% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 16.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.8%
D 41.4%

Winner: Republican by 16.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.4%
69% below US avg
High School+80.1%
School Test Score5.46
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,319/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities252
Restaurants224
Retail Stores454

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)21

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.1 min
Work from Home4.8%

Nearby Cities

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