Stem, NC

North Carolina

Stem is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 1,064. Residents earn $85,385 per year, which is 14% above the national average.

4.4 /5.0
A Great
1,064 Population 858/sq mi density
$85,385 Median Income $31,466 per capita
$207,600 Home Value $319,209 Zillow
$983 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.4 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$85,385 median income, 1.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$207,600 home value, $983/mo rent
B+
Education
3.6 / 5.0
33.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $85,385
14% higher than US avg
Home Value $207,600
26% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 33.1%
2% lower than US avg
Median Rent $983
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.9%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.5%
58% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.7%
86% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,064
Median Age30.4 yrs
Density858/mi²
Male / Female43% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 59%

Economy

A+
Median Income$85,385
Per Capita$31,466
Unemployment1.5%
Poverty1.7%
County GDP$4,941M
Commute32 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$207,600
Rent$983
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$319,209

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.4%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain46.6 in/yr
Elevation460 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+33.1%
High School+91.5%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 45%
Commute32 min
Libraries4

Is Stem a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Stem receives an overall livability score of 4.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Stem stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Stem is $85,385, 14% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. Only 1.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Stem is $207,600, 26% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $983 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 33.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 91.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Stem enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Stem has a population of 1,064 with a density of 858 people per square mile. The median age is 30.4 years, 22% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (59%), with 26.9% Black.

Population

1,064
Total Population
858
People / sq mi
30.4yrs
Median Age
22% below US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.5%
Female 57.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Stem vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.9%
17% above US avg
Spanish8.1%
40% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Stem vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Stem is $85,385, which is 14% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Stem vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$85,385
14% above US avg
Per Capita Income$31,466
Avg Weekly Wage$1,141
IRS Avg AGI$69,056

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.5%
58% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.7%
86% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,132
County GDP$4,941M

Business (County)

Restaurants74
Healthcare103
Retail142
Manufacturing45

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,288
6% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.58%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.0 min
Work from Home12.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Stem is $207,600, 26% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $983 (15% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $319,209.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$207,600
26% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$319,209

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$983
15% 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-Occupied97.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,288
6% below US avg
Effective Rate1.58%
In Stem, 33.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.4% report depression. 23.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.9%
6% above US avg
Diabetes10.0%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure33.5%
Asthma11.4%
COPD6.4%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.1%
Physical Inactivity23.6%
Depression25.4%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress12.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.9%
Checkup Rate77.9%
Premature Death9,720/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access47.7%
Healthcare Facilities103

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Stem has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average59.4°F
10% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.6 inches
23% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation460 ft (140 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density858/sq mi
Coordinates36.1957°N, 78.7222°W
County FIPS37077
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 33.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (2% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 9.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 54.3%
D 44.8%

Winner: Republican by 9.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+33.1%
2% below US avg
High School+91.5%
School Test Score5.46
B+ Education Grade (3.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density858/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities103
Restaurants74
Retail Stores142

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.0 min
Work from Home12.0%

Nearby Cities

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