City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Erwin, NC

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

4,617
Residents
$50,077
Median income
$150,400
Median home
$980
Median rent (state)

Erwin - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Erwin lands in the 20th percentile for household income and the 18th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

20th
percentile, household income
27th
percentile, home value
18th
percentile, median rent
18th
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: Erwin, NC

North Carolina's Erwin is a small town, with 4,617 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Erwin brings in $50,077 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 9.0%. Home values in Erwin run a median of $150,400, and the median resident age is 46.0 years. Educational attainment runs 16.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 54.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Erwin's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2784.7 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above 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: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, North Carolina scores 94.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $980 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $215 across North Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 30.7 minutes, with 82.6% driving alone and 2.4% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 75.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

4,617 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$50,077 /yr

Poverty 9.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Erwin compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 20% higher than other cities
Home value 27% pricier than other cities
Median rent 18% pricier than other cities
Safety 18% 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, Erwin ranks #104 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 Erwin'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.

20thIncome percentile
18thSafety percentile

20th percentile nationally for median household income · 18th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Erwin's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Erwin'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 39 Avg. percentile National median
Erwin'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 Erwin's home value compares nationally

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

$150,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 73% 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. Erwin $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 - Erwin, NC Erwin, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Erwin, 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 Erwin, NC median $50,077/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%
Erwin, 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 Erwin, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.9%

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

Population
4,617
Median Income
$50,077
Median Home Value
$150,400
Median Age
46.0
Poverty Rate
9.0%
Labor force participation
54.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2784.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
436.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2348.3
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
2
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 residents4,600 residents4,800 residents5,000 residents5,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,509 residents 4,956 residents ▲ +9.9%
Erwin's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
30.7 minutes
Drive Alone
82.6%
Carpool
13.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
2.4%
Other
2.0%

Based on 2,060 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 Erwin sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$980/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
75.3 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Weaverville
4,618 people
Beaufort
4,613 people
Randleman
4,611 people
Boiling Springs
4,625 people
Pittsboro
4,640 people
Ranlo
4,556 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Erwin's 4,617 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Barnwell, SC
4,616 people
Lake Montezuma, AZ
4,615 people
Centralia, MO
4,615 people
Blackwood, NJ
4,615 people
La Joya, TX
4,613 people
Kalaheo, HI
4,612 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Erwin's $50,077 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Stevens, PA
$50,077 median income
Ash Grove, MO
$50,078 median income
Augusta, WI
$50,080 median income
Coldwater, MI
$50,084 median income
Bulls Gap, TN
$50,066 median income
Centerville, TX
$50,066 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Erwin, 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 Erwin, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 64.4% 19.9% 10.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 12.2% White 64.4% Black or African American 19.9% Asian 0.9% American Indian 1.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 10.4% Two or more races 3.3% 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 Erwin 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
Erwin (this city) 4,617 $50,077
Weaverville 4,618 $90,000
Beaufort 4,613 $48,111
Randleman 4,611 $51,852
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Erwin, NC?

What is the population of Erwin, NC? +

Erwin, NC has a population of 4,617 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Erwin, NC? +

Erwin households earn a median of $50,077 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Erwin? +

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

Erwin has a total crime rate of 2784.7 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Erwin, NC? +

A typical home in Erwin is worth $150,400, 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 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.