Salisbury, NC

Full City Profile · North Carolina · Rowan County County

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
35,730 Population 1,547/sq mi density
$51,058 Median Income $30,932 per capita
$215,200 Home Value $281,849 Zillow
$1,030 Median Rent 33.0% income on rent
59°F Avg Temperature
963 Violent Crime/100K 3,996 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$51,058 median income, 7.5% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$215,200 home value, $1,030/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
963 violent crimes/100K (153% above avg)
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
26.9% bachelor's degree or higher

Salisbury, NC

At a Glance

Median Income
$51,058
32% below
$30,932 per capita
Home Value
$215,200
24% below
Zillow: $281,849
Median Rent
$1,030/mo
11% below
33.0% of income on rent
Violent Crime
963/100K
153% above
3,996/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
26.9%
20% below
86.6% high school+
Unemployment
7.5%
108% above
19.1% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
40.9%
27% above
17.2% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
59°F

How Salisbury Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Salisbury's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
68%
Home Value
76%
Rent
89%
Poverty
154%
Bachelor's
80%
Unemployment
208%
Crime
253%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Salisbury a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.7 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Salisbury residents earn a median household income of $51,058 , which is 32% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $30,932. The unemployment rate stands at 7.5% (108% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 19.1% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 3,334 business establishments, including 235 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Salisbury is $215,200 , 24% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $281,849. Median rent is $1,030/month, with 33.0% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 94.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1976.

Safety & Crime

Salisbury reports 963 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 153% above the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 3,996/100K. The murder rate is 30.1/100K.

Education

26.9% of adults in Salisbury hold a bachelor's degree or higher (20% below the national average). 86.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.7/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Salisbury has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Data Overview

People

Population35,730
Median Age36.5 yrs
Density1,547/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Foreign Born6.4%
Veterans7.6%

Economy

C+
Median Income$51,058
Per Capita$30,932
Unemployment7.5%
Poverty19.1%
County GDP$7,886M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,106

Housing

A
Home Value$215,200
Rent$1,030
Ownership49.7%
Zillow$281,849
Housing Units15,101
Rent Burden33.0%

Crime

F
Violent963/100K
Property3,996/100K
Murder30.1/100K
Assault727/100K
Burglary402/100K

Health

Obesity40.9%
Diabetes12.9%
Smoking17.2%
Heart Disease6.4%
Premature Death12,312/100K

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
Rain43.7 in/yr
AQI44 (Good)
Elevation719 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.9%
High School+86.6%
Graduate+9.3%
School Score4.7/10

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 32%
Commute21 min
Broadband85.6%
Internet Speed195 Mbps
EV Stations13
Libraries5

Did You Know?

The median home in Salisbury was built in 1976.
The nearest airport is Mid-Carolina Regional (2 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.450 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
15.0% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 195 Mbps.
There are 235 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 21 fatal vehicle crashes.