Spindale, NC

North Carolina

Spindale is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 4,244. Residents earn $38,509 per year, which is 49% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
4,244 Population 784/sq mi density
$38,509 Median Income $27,266 per capita
$130,800 Home Value $145,222 Zillow
$707 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$38,509 median income, 5.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$130,800 home value, $707/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
14.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $38,509
49% lower than US avg
Home Value $130,800
54% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.3%
58% lower than US avg
Median Rent $707
39% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.3%
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.9%
64% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.9%
12% higher than US avg

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

People

Population4,244
Median Age44.9 yrs
Density784/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 80%

Economy

C+
Median Income$38,509
Per Capita$27,266
Unemployment5.9%
Poverty13.9%
County GDP$2,490M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$130,800
Rent$707
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$145,222

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.9%
Heart Disease7.5%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain52.1 in/yr
Elevation994 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.3%
High School+83.1%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 26%
Commute24 min
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Is Spindale a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Spindale is $38,509, 49% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.9% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 13.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Spindale is $130,800, 54% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $707 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

14.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Spindale enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Spindale has a population of 4,244 with a density of 784 people per square mile. The median age is 44.9 years, 15% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (79.9%), with 1.2% Hispanic, 14.2% Black.

Population

4,244
Total Population
784
People / sq mi
44.9yrs
Median Age
15% above US avg
5.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.3%
Female 48.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Spindale vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.5%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.5%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Spindale vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Spindale is $38,509, which is 49% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 13.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Spindale vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$38,509
49% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,266
Avg Weekly Wage$925
IRS Avg AGI$57,859

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.9%
64% above US avg
Poverty Rate13.9%
12% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,498
County GDP$2,490M

Business (County)

Restaurants113
Healthcare136
Retail205
Manufacturing61

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,341
5% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.55%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.8 min
Work from Home7.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Spindale is $130,800, 54% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $707 (39% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $145,222.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$130,800
54% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$145,222
Median List Price$185,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$185,000
$/Sq Ft$142
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio97.0%
Price Drops5.9%
Inventory17

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$707
39% 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-Occupied45.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,341
5% below US avg
Effective Rate2.55%
In Spindale, 42.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.9% report depression. 31.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.3%
32% above US avg
Diabetes14.1%
Heart Disease7.5%
High Blood Pressure39.9%
Asthma12.1%
COPD10.1%
Stroke4.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.0%
Physical Inactivity31.7%
Depression27.9%
Mental Distress21.1%
Physical Distress16.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.3%
Checkup Rate77.1%
Premature Death13,778/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access33.8%
Healthcare Facilities136

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Spindale has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 52.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average58.7°F
9% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.1 inches
37% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation994 ft (303 m)
Area5.4 sq mi (14.0 km²)
Population Density784/sq mi
Coordinates35.3597°N, 81.9232°W
County FIPS37161
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 14.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (58% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.6%
D 25.8%

Winner: Republican by 47.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.3%
58% below US avg
High School+83.1%
School Test Score5.46
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density784/sq mi
Total Area5.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities136
Restaurants113
Retail Stores205

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.8 min
Work from Home7.6%

Nearby Cities

Compare Spindale with another city: