City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Bessemer City, NC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Bessemer City - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

5,508
Residents
$48,784
Median income
$173,000
Median home
$1,686
Median rent (state)

Bessemer City - the verdict

Bessemer City ranks in the 18th percentile for household income and the 33rd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

18th
percentile, household income
34th
percentile, home value
67th
percentile, median rent
33rd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Bessemer City, NC

North Carolina's Bessemer City is a small town, with 5,508 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Bessemer City brings in $48,784 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 13.9%. Bessemer City's housing stock carries a median value of $173,000, and the median resident age is 34.3 years. About 14.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 56.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1952.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts North Carolina at 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,686 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts North Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $215 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 84.9 out of 100 (High).

Population

5,508 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$48,784 /yr

Poverty 13.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Bessemer City compare to other US cities?

Here's how Bessemer City stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 18% higher than other cities
Home value 34% pricier than other cities
Median rent 67% pricier than other cities
Safety 33% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at North Carolina, Bessemer City ranks #71 of 195 North Carolina cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Bessemer City against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to North Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

North Carolina-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Bessemer City toward the top of North Carolina's cities

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Bessemer City ranks #51 - the 88th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Bessemer City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#483 of 700
31st percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#51 of 746
88th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#418 of 708
41st percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#267 of 746
64th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#548 of 746
27th percentile in North Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within North Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

18thIncome percentile
33rdSafety percentile

18th percentile nationally for median household income · 33rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bessemer City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bessemer City's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 34 Avg. percentile National median
Bessemer City's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Bessemer City's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$173,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 66% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Bessemer City $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Bessemer City, NC Bessemer City, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bessemer City, NC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Bessemer City, NC median $48,784/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Bessemer City, NC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Bessemer City, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
5,508
Median Income
$48,784
Median Home Value
$173,000
Median Age
34.3
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Labor force participation
56.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1952.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
457.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1495.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,400 residents5,600 residents5,800 residents6,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,445 residents 5,834 residents ▲ +7.1%
Bessemer City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
78.8%
Carpool
15.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.7%
Work from Home
4.8%

Based on 2,461 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Bessemer City sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,686/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
84.9 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Locust
5,529 people
Wrightsboro
5,434 people
Cramerton
5,376 people
Moyock
5,669 people
Nashville
5,672 people
Angier
5,746 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bessemer City's 5,508 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Spring Valley, IL
5,508 people
Iroquois Point, HI
5,506 people
Rockwood, TN
5,510 people
Monticello, IN
5,504 people
Mount Carmel, TN
5,504 people
Mead, CO
5,503 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bessemer City's $48,784 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Cedar Bluff, AL
$48,784 median income
Paris, AR
$48,789 median income
Alton, TX
$48,777 median income
Geneva, AL
$48,798 median income
Bushyhead, OK
$48,798 median income
High Point, FL
$48,768 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bessemer City, NC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Bessemer City, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.9% 11.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.9% White 82.9% Black or African American 11.0% Asian 0.1% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.8% Two or more races 4.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Bessemer City compares to nearby North Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Bessemer City (this city) 5,508 $48,784
Locust 5,529 $78,280
Wrightsboro 5,434 $72,867
Cramerton 5,376 $94,390
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bessemer City, NC?

What is the population of Bessemer City, NC? +

Bessemer City, NC has a population of 5,508 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Bessemer City, NC? +

Bessemer City households earn a median of $48,784 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bessemer City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bessemer City; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

Is Bessemer City, NC safe? +

Bessemer City has a total crime rate of 1952.5 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Bessemer City, NC? +

Homes in Bessemer City carry a median value of $173,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.