Watha, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Watha is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 244. Residents earn $36,042 per year, which is 52% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
244 Population 179/sq mi density
$36,042 Median Income $22,541 per capita
$100,000 Home Value
$683 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
62°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.0 / 5.0
$36,042 median income, 10.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$100,000 home value, $683/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $36,042
52% lower than US avg
Home Value $100,000
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.2%
70% lower than US avg
Median Rent $683
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.9%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.0%
178% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.9%
20% higher than US avg

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

People

Population244
Median Age34.7 yrs
Density179/mi²
Male / Female41% / 59%
Largest GroupWhite 91%
Veterans11.8%

Economy

C
Median Income$36,042
Per Capita$22,541
Unemployment10.0%
Poverty14.9%
County GDP$2,516M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$100,000
Rent$683
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden51.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.0%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain57.2 in/yr
Elevation60 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.2%
High School+78.5%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute30 min
Broadband85.0%
Libraries2

Is Watha a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Watha receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Watha has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Watha is $36,042, 52% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.0%, unemployment is notably high. 14.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Watha is $100,000, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $683 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.

Education

10.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Watha enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 57.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Watha has a population of 244 with a density of 179 people per square mile. The median age is 34.7 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.6%), with 3.3% Hispanic.

Population

244
Total Population
179
People / sq mi
34.7yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
1.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.4%
Female 58.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Watha vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.4%
15% above US avg
Spanish9.6%
28% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Watha vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Watha is $36,042, which is 52% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 14.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Watha vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$36,042
52% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,541
Avg Weekly Wage$907
IRS Avg AGI$82,055

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.0%
178% above US avg
Poverty Rate14.9%
20% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,964
County GDP$2,516M

Business (County)

Restaurants127
Healthcare125
Retail175
Manufacturing39

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,052
16% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.6 min
Drive Alone73.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Watha is $100,000, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $683 (41% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$100,000
65% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$683
41% below US avg
Rent Burden51.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,052
16% above US avg
Effective Rate4.05%
In Watha, 37.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.0% report depression. 25.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.9%
18% above US avg
Diabetes10.7%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure34.2%
Asthma11.2%
COPD8.1%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.5%
Physical Inactivity25.3%
Depression28.0%
Mental Distress19.9%
Physical Distress14.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.2%
Checkup Rate76.2%
Premature Death9,267/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access61.5%
Healthcare Facilities125

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12

Safety Score

Watha has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 57.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average62.0°F
15% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall57.2 inches
51% above US avg
Snowfall0.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation60 ft (18 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density179/sq mi
Coordinates34.6512°N, 77.9576°W
County FIPS37141
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 10.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (70% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 35-point margin. 85.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.1%
D 32.1%

Winner: Republican by 35 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.2%
70% below US avg
High School+78.5%
School Test Score5.46
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density179/sq mi
Total Area1.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access85.0%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities125
Restaurants127
Retail Stores175

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.6 min
Drive Alone73.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.7%

Nearby Cities

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