City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

China Grove, NC

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

4,487
Residents
$53,717
Median income
$207,500
Median home
$1,196
Median rent (state)

China Grove - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, China Grove lands in the 25th percentile for household income and the 54th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

25th
percentile, household income
45th
percentile, home value
36th
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: China Grove, NC

China Grove is a small town in North Carolina, home to 4,487 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $53,717 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 25.2%. China Grove's housing stock carries a median value of $207,500, and the median resident age is 34.7 years. Educational attainment runs 13.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 57.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

China Grove reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1257.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects 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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,196 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts North Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $215 (state average). Commute times here average 25.9 minutes, with 89.1% driving alone and 7.2% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 82.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

4,487 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$53,717 /yr

Poverty 25.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does China Grove compare to other US cities?

China Grove measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 25% higher than other cities
Home value 45% pricier than other cities
Median rent 36% 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, China Grove ranks #35 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 China Grove 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

Poverty Rate places China Grove toward the top of North Carolina's cities

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, China Grove ranks #99 - the 87th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares China Grove only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#414 of 700
41st percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#311 of 746
57th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#313 of 708
56th percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#99 of 746
87th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#579 of 746
22nd 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.

25thIncome percentile
54thSafety percentile

25th percentile nationally for median household income · 54th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

China Grove's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

China Grove'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 46 Avg. percentile National median
China Grove'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 China Grove's home value compares nationally

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

$207,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 55% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. China Grove $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 - China Grove, NC China Grove, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not China Grove, 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 China Grove, NC median $53,717/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%
China Grove, 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 China Grove, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 13.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 25.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.1%

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

Population
4,487
Median Income
$53,717
Median Home Value
$207,500
Median Age
34.7
Poverty Rate
25.2%
Labor force participation
57.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
13.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1257.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
151.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1105.8
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
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,400 residents4,500 residents4,600 residents4,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,440 residents 4,650 residents ▲ +4.7%
China Grove's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
25.9 minutes
Drive Alone
89.1%
Carpool
3.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
7.2%

Based on 1,999 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 China Grove sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,196/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
82.9 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Farmville
4,493 people
Edenton
4,480 people
Shallotte
4,465 people
Royal Pines
4,528 people
Holly Ridge
4,532 people
Raeford
4,545 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to China Grove's 4,487 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Eldon, MO
4,486 people
Piney, AR
4,485 people
Jasper, FL
4,485 people
McGuire AFB, NJ
4,491 people
Oak Grove CDP (Washington County), TN
4,483 people
Narberth, PA
4,482 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to China Grove's $53,717 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mexican Colony, CA
$53,715 median income
Hamilton, AL
$53,714 median income
Atkinson, IL
$53,712 median income
New Salisbury, IN
$53,711 median income
Morris, IN
$53,710 median income
Brainerd, MN
$53,705 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - China Grove, 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 China Grove, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 71.8% 9.6% 12.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 23.4% White 71.8% Black or African American 4.1% Asian 1.9% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 9.6% Two or more races 12.1% 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 China Grove 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
China Grove (this city) 4,487 $53,717
Farmville 4,493 $50,870
Edenton 4,480 $42,721
Shallotte 4,465 $75,642
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about China Grove, NC?

What is the population of China Grove, NC? +

The population of China Grove, NC stands at 4,487 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in China Grove, NC? +

In China Grove, the typical household earns $53,717 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in China Grove? +

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

China Grove has a total crime rate of 1257.6 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 China Grove, NC? +

Homes in China Grove carry a median value of $207,500, 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.