Sawmills, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Sawmills is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 5,027. Residents earn $56,534 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
5,027 Population 761/sq mi density
$56,534 Median Income $29,087 per capita
$180,500 Home Value $223,181 Zillow
$719 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$56,534 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$180,500 home value, $719/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,534
25% lower than US avg
Home Value $180,500
36% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.1%
52% lower than US avg
Median Rent $719
38% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.0%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.1%
42% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.1%
6% higher than US avg

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

People

Population5,027
Median Age43.2 yrs
Density761/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

B
Median Income$56,534
Per Capita$29,087
Unemployment5.1%
Poverty13.1%
County GDP$3,308M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$180,500
Rent$719
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$223,181

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity34.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.8%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain47.2 in/yr
Elevation1,160 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.1%
High School+80.3%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 23%
Commute22 min
Libraries3

Is Sawmills a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sawmills receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Sawmills offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sawmills is $56,534, 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 13.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sawmills is $180,500, 36% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $719 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

16.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Sawmills enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Sawmills has a population of 5,027 with a density of 761 people per square mile. The median age is 43.2 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.5%), with 1.2% Hispanic, 1.7% Black.

Population

5,027
Total Population
761
People / sq mi
43.2yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
6.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56%
Female 44%

Race & Ethnicity

Sawmills vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.2%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.8%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sawmills vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sawmills is $56,534, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Sawmills vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,534
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,087
Avg Weekly Wage$973
IRS Avg AGI$59,168

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.1%
42% above US avg
Poverty Rate13.1%
6% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,594
County GDP$3,308M

Business (County)

Restaurants136
Healthcare146
Retail240
Manufacturing111

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,509
0% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.94%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.2 min
Work from Home1.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Sawmills is $180,500, 36% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $719 (38% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $223,181.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$180,500
36% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$223,181
Median List Price$311,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$311,950
$/Sq Ft$143
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio98.2%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory5

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$719
38% 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-Occupied67.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,509
0% below US avg
Effective Rate1.94%
In Sawmills, 34.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.8% report depression. 26.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.0%
6% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure34.2%
Asthma11.4%
COPD8.7%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.9%
Physical Inactivity26.9%
Depression28.8%
Mental Distress20.3%
Physical Distress14.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.8%
Checkup Rate76.5%
Premature Death12,863/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access79.8%
Healthcare Facilities146

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16

Safety Score

Sawmills 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 is 47.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average59.0°F
9% above US avg
January Average40°F (4°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.2 inches
24% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,160 ft (354 m)
Area6.6 sq mi (17.1 km²)
Population Density761/sq mi
Coordinates35.8176°N, 81.4763°W
County FIPS37027
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 16.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (52% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 52.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76%
D 23.4%

Winner: Republican by 52.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.1%
52% below US avg
High School+80.3%
School Test Score5.46
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density761/sq mi
Total Area6.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities146
Restaurants136
Retail Stores240

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.2 min
Work from Home1.2%

Nearby Cities

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