City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Leland, NC

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

26,307
Residents
$88,576
Median income
$358,800
Median home
$1,659
Median rent (state)

Leland - the verdict

Leland ranks in the 70th percentile for household income and the 60th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

70th
percentile, household income
73rd
percentile, home value
66th
percentile, median rent
60th
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: Leland, NC

Leland is a small city in North Carolina, home to 26,307 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $88,576 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 4.3%. Typical homes in Leland are valued around $358,800, and the median resident age is 48.0 years. Educational attainment runs 39.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 54.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 924 residential building permits were authorized in Leland (Slowing), down 7% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Leland reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1079.6 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as 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 $1,659 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts North Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $215 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 96.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

26,307 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$88,576 /yr

Poverty 4.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Leland compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 70% higher than other cities
Home value 73% pricier than other cities
Median rent 66% pricier than other cities
Safety 60% 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, Leland ranks #21 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 Leland'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.

70thIncome percentile
60thSafety percentile

70th percentile nationally for median household income · 60th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Leland's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Leland'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 54 Avg. percentile National median
Leland'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 Leland's home value compares nationally

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

$358,800 27th percentile more affordable than 27% 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%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Leland $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 - Leland, NC Leland, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Leland, 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 Leland, NC median $88,576/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%
Leland, 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 Leland, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 39.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.0%

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

Population
26,307
Median Income
$88,576
Median Home Value
$358,800
Median Age
48.0
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Labor force participation
54.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
39.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1079.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
96.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
983.1
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
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
20,000 residents25,000 residents30,000 residents35,000 residents40,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 25,145 residents 35,731 residents ▲ +42.1%
Leland's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
924
housing units authorized
Single-Family
924
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
35.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 993
2020 1,047
2021 1,346
2022 1,080
2023 1,886
2024 924

Permit volume decreased 7% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
77.3%
Carpool
7.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.1%
Work from Home
13.9%
Other
1.2%

Based on 11,995 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 Leland sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,659/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Mint Hill
26,954 people
Thomasville
27,261 people
Asheboro
27,353 people
Kernersville
27,439 people
Clayton
28,043 people
Statesville
29,161 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Leland's 26,307 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Eureka, CA
26,302 people
Woodstock, IL
26,316 people
South Pasadena, CA
26,297 people
South Salt Lake, UT
26,277 people
Elmira, NY
26,349 people
Holbrook, NY
26,256 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Leland's $88,576 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Riverside, CA
$88,575 median income
McGregor, FL
$88,578 median income
Grant, AL
$88,571 median income
Ballou, OK
$88,594 median income
Roeville, FL
$88,553 median income
New Cambria, KS
$88,601 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Leland, 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 Leland, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 81.8% 9.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.2% White 81.8% Black or African American 9.3% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 2.9% Two or more races 5.0% 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 Leland 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
Leland (this city) 26,307 $88,576
Mint Hill 26,954 $99,272
Thomasville 27,261 $58,246
Asheboro 27,353 $48,628
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Leland, NC?

What is the population of Leland, NC? +

26,307 people live in Leland, NC according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Leland, the typical household earns $88,576 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Leland? +

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

Leland has a total crime rate of 1079.6 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 Leland, NC? +

Leland's median home value sits at $358,800, 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.