City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Haw River, NC

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

2,581
Residents
$67,366
Median income
$142,200
Median home
$1,348
Median rent (state)

Haw River - the verdict

Nationally, Haw River sits in the 46th percentile for household income and the 13th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

46th
percentile, household income
24th
percentile, home value
50th
percentile, median rent
13th
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: Haw River, NC

North Carolina's Haw River is a small town, with 2,581 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $67,366 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 13.0%. Typical homes in Haw River are valued around $142,200, and the median resident age is 35.2 years. About 21.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 67.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Haw River's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 3275.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than 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 $1,348 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in North Carolina run around $215, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 77.1 out of 100 (High).

Population

2,581 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$67,366 /yr

Poverty 13.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Haw River compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 46% higher than other cities
Home value 24% pricier than other cities
Median rent 50% pricier than other cities
Safety 13% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just North Carolina and the picture shifts: Haw River ranks #122 of 195 North Carolina cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile 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 Haw River'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.

46thIncome percentile
13thSafety percentile

46th percentile nationally for median household income · 13th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Haw River's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Haw River'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 41 Avg. percentile National median
Haw River'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 Haw River's home value compares nationally

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

$142,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 76% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Haw River $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 - Haw River, NC Haw River, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Haw River, 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 Haw River, NC median $67,366/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%
Haw River, 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 Haw River, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.1%

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

Population
2,581
Median Income
$67,366
Median Home Value
$142,200
Median Age
35.2
Poverty Rate
13.0%
Labor force participation
67.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3275.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
504.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2771.9
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 →
2,200 residents2,300 residents2,400 residents2,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,257 residents 2,425 residents ▲ +7.4%
Haw River's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
86.9%
Carpool
8.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.6%
Work from Home
4.2%

Based on 1,418 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 Haw River sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,348/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
77.1 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Youngsville
2,581 people
Marshville
2,586 people
Cape Carteret
2,598 people
Franklinton
2,562 people
Sylva
2,600 people
Sneads Ferry
2,556 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Haw River's 2,581 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Georgetown, CA
2,580 people
Palisade, CO
2,580 people
Eatonville, FL
2,582 people
Holcomb, KS
2,582 people
Versailles, MO
2,580 people
Wild Peach, TX
2,580 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Haw River's $67,366 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hummels Wharf, PA
$67,361 median income
Sedona, AZ
$67,374 median income
Anacoco, LA
$67,375 median income
Winthrop, MN
$67,375 median income
Meyers Lake, OH
$67,375 median income
El Campo, TX
$67,356 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Haw River, 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 Haw River, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 78.2% 8.3% 6.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 17.2% White 78.2% Black or African American 8.3% Asian 1.4% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.7% Two or more races 6.6% 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 Haw River 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
Haw River (this city) 2,581 $67,366
Youngsville 2,581 $61,813
Marshville 2,586 $60,784
Cape Carteret 2,598 $75,313
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Haw River, NC?

What is the population of Haw River, NC? +

Haw River, NC counts 2,581 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Haw River, NC? +

Haw River households earn a median of $67,366 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Haw River? +

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

Haw River has a total crime rate of 3275.9 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 Haw River, NC? +

A typical home in Haw River is worth $142,200, 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.