City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Richlands, NC

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

2,387
Residents
$61,607
Median income
$217,800
Median home
$1,173
Median rent (state)

Richlands - the verdict

Richlands ranks in the 38th percentile for household income and the 55th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

38th
percentile, household income
48th
percentile, home value
34th
percentile, median rent
55th
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: Richlands, NC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,387 residents in Richlands, a small town within North Carolina. The typical household in Richlands brings in $61,607 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.0%. Home values in Richlands run a median of $217,800, and the median resident age is 29.2 years. Educational attainment runs 31.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 57.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Richlands reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1221.0 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 60.9°F with 55.5 inches of precipitation per year.

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 $1,173 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 95.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

2,387 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$61,607 /yr

Poverty 8.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Richlands compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 38% higher than other cities
Home value 48% pricier than other cities
Median rent 34% pricier than other cities
Safety 55% 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, Richlands ranks #30 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 Richlands 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

Bachelor's Degree or Higher sits close to the middle of North Carolina's city distribution

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Richlands ranks #216 - the 71st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Richlands only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#316 of 700
55th percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#340 of 746
53rd percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#286 of 708
60th percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#405 of 746
45th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#216 of 746
71st 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.

38thIncome percentile
55thSafety percentile

38th percentile nationally for median household income · 55th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Richlands's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Richlands'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 51 Avg. percentile National median
Richlands'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 Richlands's home value compares nationally

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

$217,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 52% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Richlands $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 - Richlands, NC Richlands, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Richlands, 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 Richlands, NC median $61,607/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%
Richlands, 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 Richlands, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 31.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.0%

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

Population
2,387
Median Income
$61,607
Median Home Value
$217,800
Median Age
29.2
Poverty Rate
8.0%
Labor force participation
57.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
31.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1221.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
81.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1139.6
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
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
55.5"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,200 residents2,300 residents2,400 residents2,500 residents2,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,291 residents 2,485 residents ▲ +8.5%
Richlands's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.8%
Carpool
4.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.2%
Work from Home
8.5%
Other
4.9%

Based on 1,053 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 Richlands sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,173/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
95.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Taylorsville
2,386 people
Laurel Park
2,391 people
Spruce Pine
2,381 people
Calabash
2,397 people
Maxton
2,398 people
Yanceyville
2,376 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Richlands's 2,387 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Adamstown, PA
2,387 people
Delmar, DE
2,386 people
Cheney, KS
2,386 people
Bourg, LA
2,386 people
Dover, MA
2,386 people
Lauderdale, MN
2,386 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Richlands's $61,607 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Boron, CA
$61,607 median income
Marysville, KS
$61,607 median income
Pleasant Hope, MO
$61,607 median income
Pleasant City, OH
$61,607 median income
Meridian, TX
$61,607 median income
Mountain Lodge Park, NY
$61,605 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Richlands, 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 Richlands, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 72.7% 16.8% 7.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.8% White 72.7% Black or African American 16.8% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.7% Two or more races 7.9% 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 Richlands 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
Richlands (this city) 2,387 $61,607
Taylorsville 2,386 $48,542
Laurel Park 2,391 $89,107
Spruce Pine 2,381 $47,583
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Richlands, NC?

What is the population of Richlands, NC? +

2,387 people live in Richlands, NC according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Richlands households earn a median of $61,607 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Richlands? +

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

Richlands has a total crime rate of 1221.0 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 Richlands, NC? +

A typical home in Richlands is worth $217,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Richlands? +

Climate normals put Richlands's yearly average temperature at 60.9°F, 55.5 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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