North Carolina · Metropolitan Area
St. James is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 6,901. Residents earn $113,670 per year, which is 51% above the national average.
Based on current data, St. James receives an overall livability score of 4.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, long commute times. St. James stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.
The median household income in St. James is $113,670, which is significantly higher than the national average — 51% above $75,149. This places St. James among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. Only 5.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 53 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.
The median home value in St. James is $599,300, making it a premium housing market at 113% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,258 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 5.3x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.
St. James is a highly educated community — 65.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 98.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.
St. James enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 54.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
| English Only | 94.5% |
| 20% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 5.5% |
| 59% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $113,670 |
| 51% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $82,598 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $924 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $67,849 |
| Unemployment | 1.3% |
| 64% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 5.9% |
| 52% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 12,484 |
| County GDP | $22,774M |
| Restaurants | 1,398 |
| Healthcare | 896 |
| Retail | 1,849 |
| Manufacturing | 171 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $3,541 |
| 1% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.59% |
| Commute Time | 52.8 min |
| Work from Home | 30.7% |
| Census Median | $599,300 |
| 113% above US avg | |
| Median List Price | $925,000 |
| Median List Price | $925,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $242 |
| Homes Sold | 16 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 96.3% |
| Price Drops | 17.9% |
| Inventory | 84 |
| Census Median Rent | $2,258 |
| 94% above US avg |
| Studio | $932 |
| 1 Bedroom | $981 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,161 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,499 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,780 |
| Owner-Occupied | 95.7% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $3,541 |
| 1% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 0.59% |
| Obesity | 29.1% |
| 9% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 7.2% |
| Heart Disease | 4.6% |
| High Blood Pressure | 27.1% |
| Asthma | 9.8% |
| COPD | 4.5% |
| Stroke | 2.3% |
| Binge Drinking | 19.0% |
| Physical Inactivity | 15.8% |
| Depression | 24.5% |
| Mental Distress | 14.9% |
| Physical Distress | 9.5% |
| Insurance Rate | 99.5% |
| Checkup Rate | 78.3% |
| Premature Death | 11,747/100K |
| Food Environment | 7.6/10 |
| Exercise Access | 78.6% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 896 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 78 |
| Annual Average | 65.0°F |
| 20% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 54.6 inches |
| 44% above US avg |
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 39 ft (12 m) |
| Area | 9.1 sq mi (23.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 758/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.9444°N, 78.1003°W |
| County FIPS | 45051 |
Winner: Republican by 38.6 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.7% |
| 95% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 98.0% |
| School Test Score | 5.46 |
| RUCC Code 2 | Metro — 250K–1M |
| Population Density | 758/sq mi |
| Total Area | 9.1 sq mi |
| Public Libraries | 12 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 896 |
| Restaurants | 1,398 |
| Retail Stores | 1,849 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 78 |
| Avg Commute | 52.8 min |
| Work from Home | 30.7% |