City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Sandy Creek, NC

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

281
Residents
$53,750
Median income
$125,000
Median home
$1,426
Median rent (state)

Sandy Creek - the verdict

Nationally, Sandy Creek sits in the 25th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

25th
percentile, household income
19th
percentile, home value
56th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Sandy Creek, NC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 281 residents in Sandy Creek, a small town within North Carolina. Sandy Creek households earn a median of $53,750 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.5%. Home values in Sandy Creek run a median of $125,000, and the median resident age is 43.2 years. Educational attainment runs 9.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier.

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 $1,426 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $215 across North Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 29.9 minutes, with 77.5% driving alone and 2.1% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 95.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

281 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$53,750 /yr

Poverty 7.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Sandy Creek compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 25% higher than other cities
Home value 19% pricier than other cities
Median rent 56% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Sandy Creek 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 places Sandy Creek toward the bottom of North Carolina's cities

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Sandy Creek ranks #646 - the 13th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Sandy Creek only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#411 of 700
41st percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#159 of 746
77th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#546 of 708
23rd percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#423 of 746
43rd percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#646 of 746
13th 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.

25thIncome percentile

25th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Sandy Creek's home value compares nationally

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

$125,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 81% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Sandy Creek $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 - Sandy Creek, NC Sandy Creek, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sandy Creek, 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 Sandy Creek, NC median $53,750/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%
Sandy Creek, 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 Sandy Creek, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.7%

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

Population
281
Median Income
$53,750
Median Home Value
$125,000
Median Age
43.2
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Labor force participation
59.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.6%

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
220 residents240 residents260 residents280 residents300 residents 202020212022202320242025 243 residents 280 residents ▲ +15.2%
Sandy Creek's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 5
2020 6
2021 7
2022 6
2023 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
29.9 minutes
Drive Alone
77.5%
Carpool
20.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
2.1%

Based on 142 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 Sandy Creek sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,426/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
95.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Cofield
284 people
Fairfield
276 people
Stovall
276 people
Parmele
288 people
Walstonburg
288 people
Bennett
273 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sandy Creek's 281 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Menifee, AR
281 people
Oil Trough, AR
281 people
Stanley, ID
281 people
Forest, IN
281 people
Hartsville, IN
281 people
Switz City, IN
281 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sandy Creek's $53,750 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Ehrenberg, AZ
$53,750 median income
Le Grand, CA
$53,750 median income
Ellaville, GA
$53,750 median income
Clay City, IL
$53,750 median income
Cypress, IL
$53,750 median income
Loami, IL
$53,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sandy Creek, 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 Sandy Creek, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 85.4% 14.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.0% White 85.4% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 14.2% 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 Sandy Creek 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
Sandy Creek (this city) 281 $53,750
Cofield 284 N/A
Fairfield 276 $39,659
Stovall 276 $46,250
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sandy Creek, NC?

What is the population of Sandy Creek, NC? +

281 people live in Sandy Creek, NC according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Sandy Creek, NC? +

Median annual household income in Sandy Creek runs $53,750, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sandy Creek? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Sandy Creek; 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.

What is the median home value in Sandy Creek, NC? +

A typical home in Sandy Creek is worth $125,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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

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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.