River Road, NC

North Carolina

River Road is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 3,518. Residents earn $47,978 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
3,518 Population 496/sq mi density
$47,978 Median Income $39,034 per capita
$187,700 Home Value
$787 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$47,978 median income, 1.7% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$187,700 home value, $787/mo rent
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,978
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $187,700
33% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.5%
15% lower than US avg
Median Rent $787
32% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.9%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 21.7%
75% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,518
Median Age44.1 yrs
Density496/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 68%

Economy

B
Median Income$47,978
Per Capita$39,034
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty21.7%
County GDP$2,369M
Commute19 min

Housing

A
Home Value$187,700
Rent$787
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.4%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain52.3 in/yr
Elevation8 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.5%
High School+76.8%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute19 min
Libraries5

Is River Road a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, River Road receives an overall livability score of 3.7 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. River Road offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in River Road is $47,978, 36% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. The poverty rate of 21.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in River Road is $187,700, 33% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $787 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

28.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

River Road 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 52.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

River Road has a population of 3,518 with a density of 496 people per square mile. The median age is 44.1 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (67.6%), with 1.4% Hispanic, 18.2% Black.

Population

3,518
Total Population
496
People / sq mi
44.1yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
7.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.8%
Female 50.2%

Race & Ethnicity

River Road vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.7%
12% above US avg
Spanish12.3%
8% below US avg

Social Characteristics

River Road vs U.S. Average

The median household income in River Road is $47,978, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 21.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: River Road vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,978
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$39,034
Avg Weekly Wage$968
IRS Avg AGI$64,952

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate21.7%
75% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,350
County GDP$2,369M

Business (County)

Restaurants94
Healthcare132
Retail192
Manufacturing49

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,002
14% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.60%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.7 min
Work from Home7.9%

Walkability

The median home value in River Road is $187,700, 33% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $787 (32% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$187,700
33% below US avg
Median List Price$450,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$450,000
$/Sq Ft$195
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio95.3%
Price Drops21.4%
Inventory14

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$787
32% 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-Occupied68.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,002
14% below US avg
Effective Rate1.60%
In River Road, 36.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.4% report depression. 26.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: River Road vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.9%
15% above US avg
Diabetes11.7%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure35.8%
Asthma11.1%
COPD7.7%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.9%
Physical Inactivity26.7%
Depression25.4%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress13.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.7%
Checkup Rate77.7%
Premature Death12,293/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access85.6%
Healthcare Facilities132

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

River Road 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 52.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

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

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.3 inches
38% above US avg
Snowfall1.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation8 ft (2 m)
Area7.1 sq mi (18.4 km²)
Population Density496/sq mi
Coordinates35.5084°N, 76.9871°W
County FIPS37013
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 28.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (15% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65.2%
D 34.1%

Winner: Republican by 31.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.5%
15% below US avg
High School+76.8%
School Test Score5.46
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density496/sq mi
Total Area7.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities132
Restaurants94
Retail Stores192

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.7 min
Work from Home7.9%

Nearby Cities

Compare River Road with another city: