North Carolina
Sugar Mountain is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 503. Residents earn $110,000 per year, which is 46% above the national average.
Based on current data, Sugar Mountain receives an overall livability score of 5.0 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. Sugar Mountain stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.
The median household income in Sugar Mountain is $110,000, which is significantly higher than the national average — 46% above $75,149. This places Sugar Mountain among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. Only 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
The median home value in Sugar Mountain is $312,200, 11% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,650 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Sugar Mountain is a highly educated community — 58.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 99.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.
Sugar Mountain experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.8 inches, including 31.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
| English Only | 95.9% |
| 22% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 4.1% |
| 69% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $110,000 |
| 46% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $82,053 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $855 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $68,291 |
| Unemployment | 2.0% |
| 44% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% |
| 64% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 698 |
| County GDP | $890M |
| Restaurants | 63 |
| Healthcare | 41 |
| Retail | 79 |
| Manufacturing | 14 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $4,227 |
| 21% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.35% |
| Commute Time | 17.8 min |
| Drive Alone | 57.9% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 13.9% |
| Census Median | $312,200 |
| 11% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $305,422 |
| Census Median Rent | $1,650 |
| 42% above US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 14.1% |
| Studio | $932 |
| 1 Bedroom | $981 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,161 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,499 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,780 |
| Owner-Occupied | 84.2% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $4,227 |
| 21% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 1.35% |
| Obesity | 36.0% |
| 12% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 9.3% |
| Heart Disease | 5.8% |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.4% |
| Asthma | 10.6% |
| COPD | 6.7% |
| Stroke | 3.0% |
| Binge Drinking | 18.2% |
| Physical Inactivity | 20.7% |
| Depression | 26.7% |
| Mental Distress | 17.6% |
| Physical Distress | 12.1% |
| Insurance Rate | 78.7% |
| Checkup Rate | 77.0% |
| Premature Death | 9,111/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.1/10 |
| Exercise Access | 100.0% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 41 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 1 |
| Annual Average | 50.1°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 53.8 inches |
| 42% above US avg | |
| Snowfall | 31.4 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 4,557 ft (1,389 m) |
| Area | 2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 204/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.1264°N, 81.8647°W |
| County FIPS | 37011 |
Winner: Republican by 52.4 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.9% |
| 75% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 99.5% |
| School Test Score | 5.46 |
| RUCC Code 9 | Nonmetro — Rural |
| Population Density | 204/sq mi |
| Total Area | 2.5 sq mi |
| Broadband Access | 95.4% |
| EV Charging Stations | 1 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 1 |
| Public Libraries | 1 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 41 |
| Restaurants | 63 |
| Retail Stores | 79 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 1 |
| Avg Commute | 17.8 min |
| Drive Alone | 57.9% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 13.9% |