City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Elm City, NC

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

1,173
Residents
$44,698
Median income
$106,600
Median home
$1,025
Median rent (state)

Elm City - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Elm City places in the 12th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

12th
percentile, household income
12th
percentile, home value
22nd
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Elm City, NC

Elm City is a small town in North Carolina, home to 1,173 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $44,698 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 15.0%. Home values in Elm City run a median of $106,600, and the median resident age is 49.6 years. Educational attainment runs 14.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 49.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The city is served by 4 public schools according to NCES Common Core of Data.

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 $1,025 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $215 across North Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Elm City workers runs 26.0 minutes, with 74.9% driving alone and 8.6% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 76.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

1,173 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$44,698 /yr

Poverty 15.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Elm City compare to other US cities?

Where Elm City sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 12% higher than other cities
Home value 12% pricier than other cities
Median rent 22% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Elm 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 Home Value places Elm City toward the bottom of North Carolina's cities

Among the 708 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Elm City ranks #616 - the 13th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Elm City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#523 of 700
25th percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#460 of 746
37th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#616 of 708
13th percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#232 of 746
68th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#536 of 746
28th 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.

12thIncome percentile

12th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Elm City's home value compares nationally

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

$106,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 88% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Elm 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 - Elm City, NC Elm City, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Elm 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 Elm City, NC median $44,698/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%
Elm 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 Elm City, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 49.7%

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

Population
1,173
Median Income
$44,698
Median Home Value
$106,600
Median Age
49.6
Poverty Rate
15.0%
Labor force participation
49.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.9%

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,210 residents1,220 residents1,230 residents1,240 residents1,250 residents1,260 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,232 residents 1,250 residents ▲ +1.5%
Elm City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
26.0 minutes
Drive Alone
74.9%
Carpool
16.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
8.6%

Based on 513 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 Elm City sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,025/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
76.3 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Columbus
1,166 people
Mount Gilead
1,166 people
Kenansville
1,157 people
New Hope
1,200 people
McAdenville
1,139 people
Stoneville
1,213 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Elm City's 1,173 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Palo, IA
1,173 people
East Gull Lake, MN
1,173 people
Rossville, TN
1,173 people
Sterling City, TX
1,173 people
Crocker, WA
1,173 people
Benwood, WV
1,173 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Elm City's $44,698 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Plainfield, VT
$44,698 median income
Bristol, VA
$44,706 median income
Agra, KS
$44,688 median income
Burns, KS
$44,688 median income
Grainfield, KS
$44,688 median income
Cochiti, NM
$44,688 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Elm 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 Elm City, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 29.7% 65.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.2% White 29.7% Black or African American 65.4% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.4% Two or more races 0.5% 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 Elm 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
Elm City (this city) 1,173 $44,698
Columbus 1,166 $56,083
Mount Gilead 1,166 $58,281
Kenansville 1,157 $62,917
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Elm City, NC?

What is the population of Elm City, NC? +

The population of Elm City, NC stands at 1,173 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Elm City households earn a median of $44,698 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Elm City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Elm 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.

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

Homes in Elm City carry a median value of $106,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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.