Spring Lake, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Spring Lake is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 11,613. Residents earn $50,497 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
11,613 Population 492/sq mi density
$50,497 Median Income $23,923 per capita
$101,300 Home Value $256,009 Zillow
$1,228 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
654 Violent Crime/100K 4,564 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$50,497 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$101,300 home value, $1,228/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
654 violent crimes/100K (72% above avg)
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,497
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $101,300
64% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 654/100K
72% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.8%
26% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,228
6% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.3%
35% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.6%
50% higher than US avg

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

People

Population11,613
Median Age25.4 yrs
Density492/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 39%

Economy

B
Median Income$50,497
Per Capita$23,923
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty18.6%
County GDP$24,445M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$101,300
Rent$1,228
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$256,009

Crime

F
Violent654/100K
Property4,564/100K
Murder7.5/100K
Assault353/100K
Burglary1,331/100K

Health

Obesity43.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.5%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain47.9 in/yr
Elevation171 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.8%
High School+92.6%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 43% / D 56%
Commute20 min
Libraries8

Is Spring Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Spring Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Spring Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Spring Lake is $50,497, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. The poverty rate of 18.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Spring Lake is $101,300, 64% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,228 per month. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 654 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,564 per 100,000, 133% above the national average.

Education

24.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Spring Lake enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Spring Lake has a population of 11,613 with a density of 492 people per square mile. The median age is 25.4 years, 35% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (38.7%), with 2.9% Hispanic, 35.9% Black.

Population

11,613
Total Population
492
People / sq mi
25.4yrs
Median Age
35% below US avg
23.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.9%
Female 52.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Spring Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only85.4%
9% above US avg
Spanish14.6%
9% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Spring Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Spring Lake is $50,497, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 18.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Spring Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,497
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,923
Avg Weekly Wage$1,073
IRS Avg AGI$58,191

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate18.6%
50% above US avg
Establishments (County)7,402
County GDP$24,445M

Business (County)

Restaurants758
Healthcare805
Retail1,077
Manufacturing95

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,018
15% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.97%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.7 min
Work from Home3.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Spring Lake is $101,300, 64% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,228 (6% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $256,009.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$101,300
64% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$256,009
Median List Price$215,949

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$215,949
$/Sq Ft$149
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio97.4%
Price Drops41.7%
Inventory12

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,228
6% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,404

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied21.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,018
15% above US avg
Effective Rate3.97%
In Spring Lake, 43.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.5% report depression. 29.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Spring Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.3%
35% above US avg
Diabetes14.7%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure41.2%
Asthma11.8%
COPD7.2%
Stroke4.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.6%
Physical Inactivity29.0%
Depression24.5%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress14.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.7%
Checkup Rate80.0%
Premature Death12,884/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.5/10
Exercise Access87.1%
Healthcare Facilities805
Spring Lake has a violent crime rate of 654 per 100,000 residents, 72% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,564 per 100,000 (133% above US avg). The murder rate is 7.5 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent654.1/100K
72% above US avg
Murder7.5/100K
19% above US avg
Rape15.0/100K
Robbery278.2/100K
Assault353.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,563.6/100K
133% above US avg
Burglary1,330.7/100K
Theft3,067.4/100K
Vehicle Theft165.4/100K
Arson37.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)40

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Spring Lake has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average61.9°F
15% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.9 inches
26% above US avg
Snowfall1.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation171 ft (52 m)
Area23.6 sq mi (61.2 km²)
Population Density492/sq mi
Coordinates35.1846°N, 78.9947°W
County FIPS37051
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 24.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (26% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 13.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 42.7%
D 56.1%

Winner: Democrat by 13.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.8%
26% below US avg
High School+92.6%
School Test Score5.46
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density492/sq mi
Total Area23.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities805
Restaurants758
Retail Stores1,077

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)40
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.7 min
Work from Home3.4%

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