City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Lowell, NC

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

3,711
Residents
$51,829
Median income
$152,200
Median home
$1,686
Median rent (state)

Lowell - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Lowell places in the 22nd percentile for household income and the 43rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

22nd
percentile, household income
27th
percentile, home value
67th
percentile, median rent
43rd
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: Lowell, NC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 3,711 residents in Lowell, a small town within North Carolina. Lowell households earn a median of $51,829 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 14.5%. Lowell's housing stock carries a median value of $152,200, and the median resident age is 41.4 years. Educational attainment runs 16.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 61.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Lowell reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1588.9 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: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts North Carolina at 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,686 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $215 across North Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 84.9 out of 100 (High).

Population

3,711 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$51,829 /yr

Poverty 14.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Lowell compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 22% higher than other cities
Home value 27% pricier than other cities
Median rent 67% pricier than other cities
Safety 43% 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, Lowell ranks #51 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

Each percentile compares Lowell 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 Gross Rent places Lowell toward the top of North Carolina's cities

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Lowell ranks #51 - the 88th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Lowell only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#442 of 700
37th percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#51 of 746
88th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#476 of 708
33rd percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#251 of 746
66th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#490 of 746
34th 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.

22ndIncome percentile
43rdSafety percentile

22nd percentile nationally for median household income · 43rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Lowell's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Lowell'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
Lowell'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 Lowell's home value compares nationally

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

$152,200 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. Lowell $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 - Lowell, NC Lowell, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lowell, 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 Lowell, NC median $51,829/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%
Lowell, 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 Lowell, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.3%

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

Population
3,711
Median Income
$51,829
Median Home Value
$152,200
Median Age
41.4
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Labor force participation
61.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1588.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
130.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1458.7
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 →
3,600 residents3,700 residents3,800 residents3,900 residents4,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,662 residents 3,939 residents ▲ +7.6%
Lowell's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.9%
Carpool
10.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.2%
Work from Home
15.3%
Other
0.6%

Based on 1,754 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 Lowell sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,686/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
84.9 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Gamewell
3,701 people
Kitty Hawk
3,721 people
Landis
3,726 people
Tabor City
3,695 people
Jamestown
3,685 people
Lowesville
3,737 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lowell's 3,711 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Deer Park, IL
3,711 people
Richfield, OH
3,711 people
Grand Mound, WA
3,711 people
Elkins, AR
3,710 people
Hebron, IN
3,712 people
Plain City, OH
3,712 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lowell's $51,829 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Pleasanton, KS
$51,830 median income
Luna Pier, MI
$51,830 median income
Dobbins, CA
$51,827 median income
South Bay, FL
$51,827 median income
Sandoval, IL
$51,827 median income
West Little River, FL
$51,834 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lowell, 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 Lowell, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 73.9% 12.2% 8.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 15.9% White 73.9% Black or African American 12.2% Asian 2.3% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.4% Two or more races 8.3% 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 Lowell 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
Lowell (this city) 3,711 $51,829
Gamewell 3,701 $55,977
Kitty Hawk 3,721 $88,811
Landis 3,726 $82,645
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lowell, NC?

What is the population of Lowell, NC? +

Lowell, NC counts 3,711 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Lowell runs $51,829, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lowell? +

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

Lowell has a total crime rate of 1588.9 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 Lowell, NC? +

A typical home in Lowell is worth $152,200, 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

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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.