City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Mount Airy, NC

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

10,631
Residents
$39,873
Median income
$176,600
Median home
$925
Median rent (state)

Mount Airy - the verdict

Nationally, Mount Airy sits in the 8th percentile for household income and the 19th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

8th
percentile, household income
36th
percentile, home value
7th
percentile, median rent
19th
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: Mount Airy, NC

Mount Airy is a small town in North Carolina, home to 10,631 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Mount Airy brings in $39,873 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 24.4%. Typical homes in Mount Airy are valued around $176,600, and the median resident age is 46.7 years. 24.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 48.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Mount Airy's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2747.9 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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $925 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts North Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $215 (state average). The average commute for Mount Airy workers runs 18.0 minutes, with 79.9% driving alone and 3.5% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 73.6 out of 100 (High).

Population

10,631 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$39,873 /yr

Poverty 24.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Mount Airy compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 8% higher than other cities
Home value 36% pricier than other cities
Median rent 7% pricier than other cities
Safety 19% 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: Mount Airy ranks #101 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 Mount Airy'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.

8thIncome percentile
19thSafety percentile

8th percentile nationally for median household income · 19th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Mount Airy's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Mount Airy'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 35 Avg. percentile National median
Mount Airy'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 Mount Airy's home value compares nationally

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

$176,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 64% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Mount Airy $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 - Mount Airy, NC Mount Airy, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Mount Airy, 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 Mount Airy, NC median $39,873/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%
Mount Airy, 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 Mount Airy, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 24.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 24.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 48.9%

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

Population
10,631
Median Income
$39,873
Median Home Value
$176,600
Median Age
46.7
Poverty Rate
24.4%
Labor force participation
48.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
24.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2747.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
311.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2436.3
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
11
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
10,600 residents10,620 residents10,640 residents10,660 residents10,680 residents10,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 10,664 residents 10,682 residents ▲ +0.2%
Mount Airy's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.0 minutes
Drive Alone
79.9%
Carpool
13.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.3%
Work from Home
3.5%
Other
1.7%

Based on 4,180 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 Mount Airy sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$925/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
73.6 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Winterville
10,624 people
Tarboro
10,705 people
Pineville
10,780 people
Waynesville
10,408 people
Summerfield
11,031 people
Rolesville
10,200 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Mount Airy's 10,631 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cottage Grove, OR
10,630 people
Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
10,630 people
Munhall, PA
10,633 people
Potomac Park, CA
10,634 people
Fairview, OR
10,627 people
Mount Vista, WA
10,635 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Mount Airy's $39,873 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Salamanca, NY
$39,871 median income
Needles, CA
$39,876 median income
Ridgeville, IN
$39,868 median income
Jewell, KS
$39,878 median income
Hartford, MI
$39,868 median income
Bel-Ridge, MO
$39,878 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Mount Airy, 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 Mount Airy, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 85.7% 8.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.0% White 85.7% Black or African American 8.5% Asian 2.2% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 0.0% 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 Mount Airy 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
Mount Airy (this city) 10,631 $39,873
Winterville 10,624 $82,783
Tarboro 10,705 $49,386
Pineville 10,780 $64,257
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Mount Airy, NC?

What is the population of Mount Airy, NC? +

Mount Airy, NC counts 10,631 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Mount Airy, NC? +

Median annual household income in Mount Airy runs $39,873, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Mount Airy? +

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

Mount Airy has a total crime rate of 2747.9 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 Mount Airy, NC? +

Mount Airy's median home value sits at $176,600, 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.