North Carolina · Metropolitan Area
Valdese is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 4,689. Residents earn $61,250 per year, which is 18% below the national average.
Based on current data, Valdese receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, affordable housing. Valdese offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Valdese is $61,250, 18% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. Only 4.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.
The median home value in Valdese is $171,300, 39% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $627 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Valdese is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 90 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,723 per 100,000, near the national average.
Educational attainment is solid, with 37.9% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 93.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.
Valdese enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
| English Only | 95.2% |
| 21% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 4.8% |
| 64% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $61,250 |
| 18% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $43,072 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $942 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $59,014 |
| Unemployment | 2.8% |
| 22% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 4.7% |
| 62% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 1,725 |
| County GDP | $3,724M |
| Restaurants | 158 |
| Healthcare | 177 |
| Retail | 253 |
| Manufacturing | 111 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $3,828 |
| 9% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 2.23% |
| Commute Time | 26.4 min |
| Work from Home | 9.5% |
| Census Median | $171,300 |
| 39% below US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $241,497 |
| Median List Price | $825,000 |
| Median List Price | $825,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $162 |
| Homes Sold | 4 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 95.2% |
| Price Drops | 25.0% |
| Inventory | 8 |
| Census Median Rent | $627 |
| 46% below US avg |
| Studio | $932 |
| 1 Bedroom | $981 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,161 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,499 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,780 |
| Owner-Occupied | 76.0% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $3,828 |
| 9% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 2.23% |
| Obesity | 34.7% |
| 8% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 9.6% |
| Heart Disease | 5.6% |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.0% |
| Asthma | 11.0% |
| COPD | 7.0% |
| Stroke | 3.0% |
| Binge Drinking | 17.1% |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.6% |
| Depression | 28.2% |
| Mental Distress | 18.5% |
| Physical Distress | 12.5% |
| Insurance Rate | 95.3% |
| Checkup Rate | 77.5% |
| Premature Death | 11,521/100K |
| Food Environment | 6.7/10 |
| Exercise Access | 59.5% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 177 |
| Total Violent | 89.5/100K |
| 76% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 0.0/100K |
| Robbery | 44.8/100K |
| Assault | 44.8/100K |
| Total Property | 1,723.4/100K |
| 12% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 223.8/100K |
| Theft | 1,432.4/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 67.1/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 12 |
| FEMA Disasters | 91 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 57.9°F |
| 7% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 51.5 inches |
| 36% above US avg | |
| Snowfall | 4.5 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 1,100 ft (335 m) |
| Area | 7.9 sq mi (20.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 597/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.7555°N, 81.5727°W |
| County FIPS | 37023 |
Winner: Republican by 41.2 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.9% |
| 12% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 93.4% |
| School Test Score | 5.46 |
| RUCC Code 2 | Metro — 250K–1M |
| Population Density | 597/sq mi |
| Total Area | 7.9 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 1 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 1 |
| Public Libraries | 3 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 177 |
| Restaurants | 158 |
| Retail Stores | 253 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 12 |
| FEMA Disaster Declarations | 91 |
| Avg Commute | 26.4 min |
| Work from Home | 9.5% |