Star, NC

North Carolina

Star is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 1,430. Residents earn $37,135 per year, which is 51% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,430 Population 1,109/sq mi density
$37,135 Median Income $15,220 per capita
$131,600 Home Value $140,259 Zillow
$547 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
343 Violent Crime/100K 2,174 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$37,135 median income, 2.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$131,600 home value, $547/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
343 violent crimes/100K (10% below avg)
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $37,135
51% lower than US avg
Home Value $131,600
53% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 343/100K
10% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.5%
72% lower than US avg
Median Rent $547
53% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.8%
33% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.1%
42% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.4%
48% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,430
Median Age36.2 yrs
Density1,109/mi²
Male / Female41% / 59%
Largest GroupWhite 51%

Economy

B
Median Income$37,135
Per Capita$15,220
Unemployment2.1%
Poverty18.4%
County GDP$1,470M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$131,600
Rent$547
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$140,259

Crime

F
Violent343/100K
Property2,174/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault114/100K
Burglary343/100K

Health

Obesity42.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.6%
Heart Disease8.0%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain48.1 in/yr
Elevation645 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.5%
High School+67.8%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 31%
Commute20 min
EV Stations1
Libraries5

Is Star a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Star receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Star has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Star is $37,135, 51% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.1%. The poverty rate of 18.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Star is $131,600, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $547 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Star is below the national average at 343 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,174 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

9.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 67.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Star enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Star has a population of 1,430 with a density of 1,109 people per square mile. The median age is 36.2 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (51.1%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 31.5% Black.

Population

1,430
Total Population
1,109
People / sq mi
36.2yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.2%
Female 58.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Star vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only59.1%
25% below US avg
Spanish40.9%
205% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Star vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Star is $37,135, which is 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 18.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Star vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$37,135
51% below US avg
Per Capita Income$15,220
Avg Weekly Wage$941
IRS Avg AGI$62,328

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.1%
42% below US avg
Poverty Rate18.4%
48% above US avg
Establishments (County)620
County GDP$1,470M

Business (County)

Restaurants42
Healthcare38
Retail93
Manufacturing59

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,377
25% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.33%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.2 min
Work from Home1.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Star is $131,600, 53% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $547 (53% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $140,259.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$131,600
53% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$140,259

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$547
53% 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-Occupied44.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,377
25% above US avg
Effective Rate3.33%
In Star, 42.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.6% report depression. 33.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.8%
33% above US avg
Diabetes14.5%
Heart Disease8.0%
High Blood Pressure38.9%
Asthma11.4%
COPD10.5%
Stroke4.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.4%
Physical Inactivity33.9%
Depression27.6%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress17.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.9%
Checkup Rate77.1%
Premature Death14,448/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access89.2%
Healthcare Facilities38
Star has a violent crime rate of 343 per 100,000 residents, 10% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,174 per 100,000 (11% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent343.3/100K
10% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape228.8/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault114.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,173.9/100K
11% above US avg
Burglary343.3/100K
Theft1,487.4/100K
Vehicle Theft343.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Star has an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

42°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average61.5°F
14% above US avg
January Average42°F (6°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.1 inches
27% above US avg
Snowfall3.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation645 ft (197 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²)
Population Density1,109/sq mi
Coordinates35.3991°N, 79.7833°W
County FIPS37123
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 9.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (72% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 37.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.6%
D 30.8%

Winner: Republican by 37.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.5%
72% below US avg
High School+67.8%
School Test Score5.46
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,109/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities38
Restaurants42
Retail Stores93

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.2 min
Work from Home1.5%

Nearby Cities

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