City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Black Mountain, NC

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

8,462
Residents
$70,041
Median income
$351,700
Median home
$1,567
Median rent (state)

Black Mountain - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Black Mountain lands in the 49th percentile for household income and the 54th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

49th
percentile, household income
72nd
percentile, home value
62nd
percentile, median rent
54th
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: Black Mountain, NC

8,462 people live in Black Mountain, North Carolina - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Black Mountain brings in $70,041 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.9%. Typical homes in Black Mountain are valued around $351,700, and the median resident age is 60.6 years. 58.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 43.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 107 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 30% from five years earlier. Black Mountain reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1237.8 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: the state registers 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,567 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $215 across North Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 89.3 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

8,462 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$70,041 /yr

Poverty 1.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Black Mountain compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 49% higher than other cities
Home value 72% pricier than other cities
Median rent 62% pricier than other cities
Safety 54% 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, Black Mountain ranks #33 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

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Black Mountain's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in North Carolina, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

49thIncome percentile
54thSafety percentile

49th percentile nationally for median household income · 54th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Black Mountain's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Black Mountain'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 45 Avg. percentile National median
Black Mountain'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 Black Mountain's home value compares nationally

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

$351,700 28th percentile more affordable than 28% 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%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Black Mountain $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 - Black Mountain, NC Black Mountain, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Black Mountain, 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 Black Mountain, NC median $70,041/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%
Black Mountain, 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 Black Mountain, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 58.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 43.6%

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

Population
8,462
Median Income
$70,041
Median Home Value
$351,700
Median Age
60.6
Poverty Rate
1.9%
Labor force participation
43.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
58.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1237.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
58.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1179.4
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
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
8,400 residents8,450 residents8,500 residents8,550 residents8,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 8,442 residents 8,491 residents ▲ +0.6%
Black Mountain's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
107
housing units authorized
Single-Family
74
detached homes
Multifamily
33
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
12.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 82
2020 76
2021 107
2022 84
2023 65
2024 107

Permit volume increased 30% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
72.5%
Carpool
7.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.6%
Work from Home
17.0%
Other
0.6%

Based on 3,238 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 Black Mountain sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,567/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
89.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Conover
8,491 people
Dunn
8,512 people
Ogden
8,363 people
Clinton
8,336 people
Roxboro
8,144 people
Oak Island
8,888 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Black Mountain's 8,462 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

River Road, OR
8,462 people
Clinton, OK
8,461 people
Barre, VT
8,461 people
Bemiss, GA
8,464 people
Collinsville, OK
8,468 people
Farmington, AR
8,469 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Black Mountain's $70,041 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Astoria, OR
$70,043 median income
Lompoc, CA
$70,038 median income
Walthourville, GA
$70,035 median income
Trapper Creek, AK
$70,048 median income
Lockhart, FL
$70,051 median income
Level Park-Oak Park, MI
$70,051 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Black Mountain, 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 Black Mountain, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.4% White 91.8% Black or African American 3.3% Asian 0.3% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 3.1% 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 Black Mountain 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
Black Mountain (this city) 8,462 $70,041
Conover 8,491 $57,375
Dunn 8,512 $47,310
Ogden 8,363 $111,461
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Black Mountain, NC?

What is the population of Black Mountain, NC? +

8,462 people live in Black Mountain, NC according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Black Mountain, NC? +

The median household income in Black Mountain is $70,041 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Black Mountain? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Black Mountain; 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 Black Mountain, NC safe? +

Black Mountain has a total crime rate of 1237.8 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Black Mountain, NC? +

The median home value in Black Mountain is $351,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, 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 Editorial

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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.