Saluda, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Saluda is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 676. Residents earn $52,946 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
676 Population 433/sq mi density
$52,946 Median Income $31,723 per capita
$321,000 Home Value $358,929 Zillow
$1,339 Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$52,946 median income, 3.4% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.2 / 5.0
$321,000 home value, $1,339/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
50.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,946
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $321,000
14% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 50.8%
51% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,339
15% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.3%
1% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.4%
24% lower than US avg

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

People

Population676
Median Age60.0 yrs
Density433/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

B+
Median Income$52,946
Per Capita$31,723
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty9.4%
County GDP$6,372M
Commute28 min

Housing

B
Home Value$321,000
Rent$1,339
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$358,929

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity32.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.5%
Heart Disease4.6%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain64.4 in/yr
Elevation2,178 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+50.8%
High School+93.8%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute28 min
EV Stations3
Libraries6

Is Saluda a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Saluda receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Saluda offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Saluda is $52,946, 30% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. 9.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Saluda is $321,000, 14% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,339 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 6.1x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

Saluda is a highly educated community — 50.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 93.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Saluda enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 64.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Saluda has a population of 676 with a density of 433 people per square mile. The median age is 60.0 years, 54% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.5%), with 1.2% Hispanic, 1.8% Black.

Population

676
Total Population
433
People / sq mi
60.0yrs
Median Age
54% above US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.7%
Female 53.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Saluda vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.6%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.4%
82% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Saluda vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Saluda is $52,946, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Saluda vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,946
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,723
Avg Weekly Wage$1,041
IRS Avg AGI$74,950

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.4%
24% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,120
County GDP$6,372M

Business (County)

Restaurants250
Healthcare324
Retail407
Manufacturing132

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,686
5% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.15%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.6 min
Work from Home11.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Saluda is $321,000, 14% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,339 (15% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $358,929.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$321,000
14% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$358,929

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,339
15% above 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-Occupied85.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,686
5% above US avg
Effective Rate1.15%
In Saluda, 32.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.5% report depression. 16.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.3%
1% above US avg
Diabetes7.7%
Heart Disease4.6%
High Blood Pressure29.1%
Asthma10.6%
COPD4.9%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.4%
Physical Inactivity16.6%
Depression26.5%
Mental Distress15.9%
Physical Distress10.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.5%
Checkup Rate77.5%
Premature Death8,875/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access72.0%
Healthcare Facilities324

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Saluda has an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 64.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average59.6°F
10% above US avg
January Average41°F (5°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall64.4 inches
69% above US avg
Snowfall4.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,178 ft (664 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.0 km²)
Population Density433/sq mi
Coordinates35.2375°N, 82.3469°W
County FIPS37089
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 50.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (51% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.7%
D 42.2%

Winner: Republican by 14.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+50.8%
51% above US avg
High School+93.8%
School Test Score5.46
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density433/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities324
Restaurants250
Retail Stores407

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.6 min
Work from Home11.4%

Nearby Cities

Compare Saluda with another city: