West Canton, NC

North Carolina

West Canton is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 1,369. Residents earn $35,583 per year, which is 53% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
1,369 Population 1,014/sq mi density
$35,583 Median Income $32,346 per capita
$190,200 Home Value
$1,129 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$35,583 median income, 4.0% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.7 / 5.0
$190,200 home value, $1,129/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
14.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,583
53% lower than US avg
Home Value $190,200
33% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.2%
58% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,129
3% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.7%
5% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.0%
11% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.4%
40% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,369
Median Age45.9 yrs
Density1,014/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

B
Median Income$35,583
Per Capita$32,346
Unemployment4.0%
Poverty7.4%
County GDP$2,601M
Commute24 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$190,200
Rent$1,129
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.1%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain45.0 in/yr
Elevation2,681 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.2%
High School+92.1%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute24 min
Libraries4

Is West Canton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West Canton receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. West Canton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Canton is $35,583, 53% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.0%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in West Canton is $190,200, 33% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,129 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 5.3x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

14.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

West Canton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.0 inches, including 10.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

West Canton has a population of 1,369 with a density of 1,014 people per square mile. The median age is 45.9 years, 18% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.8%), with 4.8% Black.

Population

1,369
Total Population
1,014
People / sq mi
45.9yrs
Median Age
18% above US avg
1.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.8%
Female 53.2%

Race & Ethnicity

West Canton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

West Canton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Canton is $35,583, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: West Canton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,583
53% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,346
Avg Weekly Wage$889
IRS Avg AGI$64,408

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.0%
11% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.4%
40% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,983
County GDP$2,601M

Business (County)

Restaurants182
Healthcare148
Retail243
Manufacturing40

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,697
6% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.94%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.1 min
Work from Home5.3%

Walkability

The median home value in West Canton is $190,200, 33% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,129 (3% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$190,200
33% below US avg
Median List Price$324,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$324,950
$/Sq Ft$163
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio95.5%
Price Drops66.7%
Inventory6

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,129
3% 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-Occupied68.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,697
6% above US avg
Effective Rate1.94%
In West Canton, 33.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.1% report depression. 22.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: West Canton vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.7%
5% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure32.4%
Asthma11.2%
COPD6.9%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.9%
Physical Inactivity22.4%
Depression29.1%
Mental Distress19.1%
Physical Distress12.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.4%
Checkup Rate76.0%
Premature Death10,920/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access72.4%
Healthcare Facilities148

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

West Canton has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average55.1°F
2% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.0 inches
18% above US avg
Snowfall10.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,681 ft (817 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density1,014/sq mi
Coordinates35.5384°N, 82.8671°W
County FIPS37087
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 14.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (58% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62%
D 36.9%

Winner: Republican by 25.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.2%
58% below US avg
High School+92.1%
School Test Score5.46
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,014/sq mi
Total Area1.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities148
Restaurants182
Retail Stores243

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.1 min
Work from Home5.3%

Nearby Cities

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