City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

King, NC

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

7,345
Residents
$60,451
Median income
$227,500
Median home
$1,232
Median rent (state)

King - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, King lands in the 36th percentile for household income and the 53rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

36th
percentile, household income
50th
percentile, home value
39th
percentile, median rent
53rd
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: King, NC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 7,345 residents in King, a small town within North Carolina. King households earn a median of $60,451 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 3.6%. Home values in King run a median of $227,500, and the median resident age is 46.1 years. 28.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 53.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 121 residential building permits were authorized in King (Building Boom), up 303% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. King reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1276.0 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: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, North Carolina scores 94.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,232 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $215 across North Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 20.6 minutes, with 85.6% driving alone and 8.7% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 39.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

7,345 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$60,451 /yr

Poverty 3.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does King compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 36% higher than other cities
Home value 50% pricier than other cities
Median rent 39% pricier than other cities
Safety 53% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to North Carolina alone, King ranks #38 of 195 North Carolina cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 King'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.

36thIncome percentile
53rdSafety percentile

36th percentile nationally for median household income · 53rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

King's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

King'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 48 Avg. percentile National median
King'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 King's home value compares nationally

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

$227,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 50% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. King $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 - King, NC King, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not King, 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 King, NC median $60,451/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%
King, 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 King, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.9%

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

Population
7,345
Median Income
$60,451
Median Home Value
$227,500
Median Age
46.1
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Labor force participation
53.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1276.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
78.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1197.9
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
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 →
7,000 residents7,500 residents8,000 residents8,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,213 residents 7,977 residents ▲ +10.6%
King's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
121
housing units authorized
Single-Family
121
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
16.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 30
2020 45
2021 69
2022 67
2023 109
2024 121

Permit volume increased 303% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.6 minutes
Drive Alone
85.6%
Carpool
3.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
8.7%
Other
2.0%

Based on 3,271 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 King sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,232/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
39.7 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Forest City
7,368 people
Cullowhee
7,300 people
Mills River
7,214 people
Porters Neck
7,102 people
Marion
7,594 people
Trinity
7,066 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to King's 7,345 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bellbrook, OH
7,344 people
Pea Ridge, AR
7,348 people
Archbald, PA
7,348 people
Salem, IL
7,341 people
Dunbar, WV
7,340 people
Highlands, TX
7,339 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to King's $60,451 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Conestee, SC
$60,450 median income
Palmdale, PA
$60,449 median income
Strasburg, OH
$60,455 median income
New Chapel Hill, TX
$60,455 median income
Corning, IA
$60,446 median income
Taylor, PA
$60,446 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - King, 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 King, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 85.4% 8.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.7% White 85.4% Black or African American 4.3% Asian 0.1% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.5% Two or more races 8.7% 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 King 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
King (this city) 7,345 $60,451
Forest City 7,368 $35,897
Cullowhee 7,300 $35,076
Mills River 7,214 $88,359
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about King, NC?

What is the population of King, NC? +

The population of King, NC stands at 7,345 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

King households earn a median of $60,451 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in King? +

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

King has a total crime rate of 1276.0 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 King, NC? +

The median home value in King is $227,500, 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.