City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Raeford, NC

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

4,545
Residents
$43,311
Median income
$177,900
Median home
$998
Median rent (state)

Raeford - the verdict

Raeford ranks in the 11th percentile for household income and the 44th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

11th
percentile, household income
36th
percentile, home value
19th
percentile, median rent
44th
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: Raeford, NC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 4,545 residents in Raeford, a small town within North Carolina. Raeford households earn a median of $43,311 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 17.7%. Typical homes in Raeford are valued around $177,900, and the median resident age is 36.2 years. Educational attainment runs 20.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 44.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 59 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 743% from five years earlier. Raeford reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1542.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 60.4°F with 48.6 inches of precipitation per year and 2.8 inches of snowfall.

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). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $998 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts North Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $215 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 50.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

4,545 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$43,311 /yr

Poverty 17.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Raeford compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 11% higher than other cities
Home value 36% pricier than other cities
Median rent 19% pricier than other cities
Safety 44% 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, Raeford ranks #48 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 Raeford'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.

11thIncome percentile
44thSafety percentile

11th percentile nationally for median household income · 44th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Raeford's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Raeford'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 43 Avg. percentile National median
Raeford'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 Raeford's home value compares nationally

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

$177,900 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. Raeford $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 - Raeford, NC Raeford, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Raeford, 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 Raeford, NC median $43,311/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%
Raeford, 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 Raeford, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 44.1%

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

Population
4,545
Median Income
$43,311
Median Home Value
$177,900
Median Age
36.2
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Labor force participation
44.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1542.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
110.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1432.3
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
60.4°F
Annual Precipitation
48.6"
Annual Snowfall
2.8"

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 →
4,500 residents4,550 residents4,600 residents4,650 residents4,700 residents4,750 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,557 residents 4,703 residents ▲ +3.2%
Raeford's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
59
housing units authorized
Single-Family
55
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
13
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 7
2020 5
2021 16
2022 15
2023 31
2024 59

Permit volume increased 743% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.7%
Carpool
4.5%
Public Transit
0.7%
Walk
7.2%
Work from Home
6.8%
Other
1.1%

Based on 1,544 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 Raeford sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$998/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
50.1 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Ranlo
4,556 people
Holly Ridge
4,532 people
Royal Pines
4,528 people
Farmville
4,493 people
China Grove
4,487 people
Edenton
4,480 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Raeford's 4,545 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Sellersville, PA
4,545 people
Moxee, WA
4,545 people
Glendale, CO
4,546 people
Mount Vernon, IA
4,551 people
Chester, MD
4,539 people
Nowthen, MN
4,539 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Raeford's $43,311 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Butler, KY
$43,309 median income
Doniphan, MO
$43,309 median income
Shoals, IN
$43,304 median income
Gallatin, MO
$43,322 median income
Verona, MO
$43,295 median income
Mina, NV
$43,295 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Raeford, 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 Raeford, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 39.8% 41.5% 7.2% 8.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.5% White 39.8% Black or African American 41.5% Asian 0.0% American Indian 7.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.8% 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 Raeford 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
Raeford (this city) 4,545 $43,311
Ranlo 4,556 $75,843
Holly Ridge 4,532 $106,230
Royal Pines 4,528 $105,956
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Raeford, NC?

What is the population of Raeford, NC? +

Raeford, NC has a population of 4,545 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Raeford runs $43,311, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Raeford? +

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

Raeford has a total crime rate of 1542.5 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 Raeford, NC? +

A typical home in Raeford is worth $177,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Raeford? +

The average annual temperature in Raeford runs 60.4°F, 48.6 inches of precipitation, and 2.8 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.