You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in North Carolina. Best sururbs in North Carolina. Best counties in North Carolina.
Etc., etc., etc.
But they all focus on major cities and towns in the Tar Heel State, and no one pays attention to the little guy.
Well, that’s all about to change as we put together a list of the superb small towns in North Carolina based on numbers–not opinions or hearsay.
We’ll dive right into our methodology in the next section, but first, we thought you might want to know which places in North Carolina ranked the best based on Saturday Night Science.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 15 Best Small Towns To Live In North Carolina For 2024
- Wrightsville Beach
- Trent Woods
- Bayshore
- Royal Pines
- Fearrington Village
- Kure Beach
- Jame
- Northlakes
- Biltmore Forest
- Weaverville
- Forest Oaks
- Alamance
- Bermuda Run
- Valley Hill
- Walnut Creek
What’s the best small town in North Carolina? Wrightsville Beach is the best small town in North Carolina based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Wrightsville Beach, chances are, you’re not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.
But for the rest of you–keep reading, and we’ll get to just why these small towns made our list.
For more reading on the Tar Heel State check out:
- Best Places To Live In North Carolina
- Cheapest Places To Live In North Carolina
- Most Dangerous Cities In North Carolina
The 15 Best Small Towns In North Carolina For 2024
1. Wrightsville Beach
/10
Population: 2,848
Median Income: $125,074 (4th Best)
Median Home Value: $1,519,281 (2nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.2%
2. Trent Woods
/10
Population: 4,086
Median Income: $112,679 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $352,365 (67th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.2%
3. Bayshore
/10
Population: 3,066
Median Income: $115,347 (6th Best)
Median Home Value: $604,237 (12th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.1%
4. Royal Pines
/10
Population: 4,681
Median Income: $98,309 (21st Best)
Median Home Value: $486,690 (24th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.1%
5. Fearrington Village
/10
Population: 2,582
Median Income: $95,391 (23rd Best)
Median Home Value: $559,373 (13th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
6. Kure Beach
/10
Population: 2,313
Median Income: $97,269 (22nd Best)
Median Home Value: $754,171 (5th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.2%
7. Jame
/10
Population: 3,677
Median Income: $85,583 (38th Best)
Median Home Value: $356,460 (65th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.7%
8. Northlakes
/10
Population: 1,378
Median Income: $100,577 (18th Best)
Median Home Value: $388,779 (50th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
9. Biltmore Forest
/10
Population: 1,700
Median Income: $174,286 (1st Best)
Median Home Value: $1,522,464 (1st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.4%
10. Weaverville
/10
Population: 4,559
Median Income: $76,310 (63rd Best)
Median Home Value: $459,685 (34th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.3%
11. Forest Oaks
/10
Population: 4,144
Median Income: $110,417 (11th Best)
Median Home Value: $376,915 (58th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
12. Alamance
/10
Population: 1,287
Median Income: $93,309 (26th Best)
Median Home Value: $471,417 (30th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.2%
13. Bermuda Run
/10
Population: 3,118
Median Income: $71,515 (79th Best)
Median Home Value: $378,006 (57th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
14. Valley Hill
/10
Population: 2,417
Median Income: $82,436 (44th Best)
Median Home Value: $350,318 (69th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
15. Walnut Creek
/10
Population: 1,570
Median Income: $149,875 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $408,236 (45th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.4%
Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In North Carolina
We threw a lot of criteria at this report to get the best, most complete results of the best small towns in North Carolina possible.
Using the most recent data from the Census’s 2018-2022 American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Saturday Night Science, this is the criteria we used:
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Lowest Unemployment Rates
- Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
- Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
- Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
- Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
- Commute Times (Lower is better)
We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which there were many – 274 to be exact.
We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 274, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in North Carolina. Top of that list — Wrightsville Beach.
This is our tenth time ranking the best small places to live in North Carolina.
Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones
We said it once, and we’ll say it again — this list: it’s just science. We did the research, crunched the numbers, and it turns out these 15 small towns in North Carolina are the best in which to live.
And who can argue with that?
The best small towns in North Carolina are Wrightsville Beach, Trent Woods, Bayshore, Royal Pines, Fearrington Village, Kure Beach, Jame, Northlakes, Biltmore Forest, and Weaverville.
If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in North Carolina:
- South Henderson
- Fairplains
- East Rockingham
For more North Carolina reading, check out:
- Best Places To Raise A Family In North Carolina
- Safest Cities in North Carolina
- Worst Places To Live In North Carolina
Best Small Towns In North Carolina
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Median Home Value | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wrightsville Beach, NC | 2,848 | $125,074 | 1.2% | |
| 2 | Trent Woods, NC | 4,086 | $112,679 | 1.2% | |
| 3 | Bayshore, NC | 3,066 | $115,347 | 2.1% | |
| 4 | Royal Pines, NC | 4,681 | $98,309 | 1.1% | |
| 5 | Fearrington Village, NC | 2,582 | $95,391 | 0.0% | |
| 6 | Kure Beach, NC | 2,313 | $97,269 | 1.2% | |
| 7 | Jame, NC | 3,677 | $85,583 | 0.7% | |
| 8 | Northlakes, NC | 1,378 | $100,577 | 3.1% | |
| 9 | Biltmore Forest, NC | 1,700 | $174,286 | 2.4% | |
| 10 | Weaverville, NC | 4,559 | $76,310 | 1.3% | |
| 11 | Forest Oaks, NC | 4,144 | $110,417 | 0.0% | |
| 12 | Alamance, NC | 1,287 | $93,309 | 0.2% | |
| 13 | Bermuda Run, NC | 3,118 | $71,515 | 0.0% | |
| 14 | Valley Hill, NC | 2,417 | $82,436 | 0.0% | |
| 15 | Walnut Creek, NC | 1,570 | $149,875 | 2.4% | |
| 16 | Avery Creek, NC | 3,338 | $104,808 | 0.0% | |
| 17 | Faith, NC | 1,096 | $123,456 | 0.0% | |
| 18 | Emerald Isle, NC | 3,870 | $85,982 | 1.0% | |
| 19 | Nags Head, NC | 3,153 | $87,560 | 1.8% | |
| 20 | River Bend, NC | 2,914 | $74,375 | 1.2% | |
| 21 | Brices Creek, NC | 3,678 | $112,813 | 1.1% | |
| 22 | Laurel Park, NC | 2,615 | $90,855 | 3.0% | |
| 23 | Southport, NC | 4,015 | $78,287 | 0.8% | |
| 24 | Sunset Beach, NC | 4,189 | $82,261 | 4.0% | |
| 25 | Pine Knoll Shores, NC | 1,363 | $92,656 | 3.3% | |
| 26 | Westport, NC | 4,570 | $136,290 | 6.2% | |
| 27 | Boiling Springs, NC | 4,622 | $90,625 | 4.9% | |
| 28 | Swansboro, NC | 3,759 | $105,779 | 0.0% | |
| 29 | Lake Park, NC | 3,342 | $73,972 | 3.6% | |
| 30 | Balfour, NC | 1,142 | $69,643 | 0.0% | |
| 31 | Carolina Shores, NC | 4,643 | $77,259 | 7.7% | |
| 32 | Mars Hill, NC | 2,843 | $80,833 | 2.2% | |
| 33 | Whispering Pines, NC | 4,938 | $105,707 | 5.1% | |
| 34 | Seven Lakes, NC | 3,994 | $93,937 | 0.0% | |
| 35 | Foxfire, NC | 1,588 | $69,782 | 1.2% | |
| 36 | Southern Shores, NC | 3,098 | $112,371 | 14.4% | |
| 37 | Red Oak, NC | 3,357 | $80,242 | 0.0% | |
| 38 | Kitty Hawk, NC | 3,690 | $85,700 | 7.1% | |
| 39 | Lake Junaluska, NC | 2,977 | $71,875 | 6.9% | |
| 40 | Pittsboro, NC | 4,555 | $62,513 | 3.1% | |
| 41 | Cedar Point, NC | 2,198 | $87,981 | 4.1% | |
| 42 | Mcadenville, NC | 1,125 | $102,083 | 3.7% | |
| 43 | Wingate, NC | 4,061 | $72,188 | 0.6% | |
| 44 | Banner Elk, NC | 1,234 | $66,607 | 6.8% | |
| 45 | Surf City, NC | 3,888 | $85,714 | 3.0% | |
| 46 | Lowesville, NC | 3,567 | $113,086 | 2.2% | |
| 47 | Youngsville, NC | 2,421 | $73,472 | 3.6% | |
| 48 | Cape Carteret, NC | 2,651 | $76,750 | 1.8% | |
| 49 | Mountain Home, NC | 4,028 | $59,010 | 0.8% | |
| 50 | Fairview, NC | 2,436 | $82,917 | 5.5% | |
| 51 | Swepsonville, NC | 2,464 | $84,737 | 4.4% | |
| 52 | Moravian Falls, NC | 1,023 | $52,217 | 0.0% | |
| 53 | Hoopers Creek, NC | 1,515 | $63,750 | 3.3% | |
| 54 | Buxton, NC | 1,477 | $87,344 | 3.0% | |
| 55 | Tryon, NC | 1,516 | $50,398 | 2.0% | |
| 56 | Bethlehem, NC | 3,688 | $75,838 | 2.9% | |
| 57 | Flat Rock, NC | 3,483 | $102,039 | 5.2% | |
| 58 | Buies Creek, NC | 3,589 | $42,208 | 1.4% | |
| 59 | Manteo, NC | 1,808 | $78,074 | 2.6% | |
| 60 | Horse Shoe, NC | 1,854 | $68,000 | 3.2% | |
| 61 | Wanchese, NC | 2,005 | $71,484 | 0.8% | |
| 62 | Sea Breeze, NC | 1,533 | $54,432 | 0.0% | |
| 63 | Fairview, NC | 3,512 | $85,441 | 2.4% | |
| 64 | Fairfield Harbour, NC | 2,816 | $68,723 | 9.4% | |
| 65 | Stedman, NC | 1,479 | $98,615 | 1.9% | |
| 66 | Belville, NC | 3,380 | $79,875 | 7.3% | |
| 67 | Ranlo, NC | 4,487 | $78,533 | 7.3% | |
| 68 | Vass, NC | 1,276 | $59,375 | 2.3% | |
| 69 | Pleasant Garden, NC | 4,987 | $84,395 | 1.2% | |
| 70 | Lake Waccamaw, NC | 1,462 | $74,297 | 2.2% | |
| 71 | Midland, NC | 4,675 | $101,220 | 0.8% | |
| 72 | Troutman, NC | 3,689 | $74,219 | 8.9% | |
| 73 | Holly Ridge, NC | 4,236 | $90,197 | 1.0% | |
| 74 | Advance, NC | 1,605 | $91,528 | 0.0% | |
| 75 | Valdese, NC | 4,682 | $66,745 | 2.7% | |
| 76 | Midway, NC | 4,773 | $72,574 | 3.7% | |
| 77 | Stony Point, NC | 1,494 | $68,371 | 0.0% | |
| 78 | Drexel, NC | 1,768 | $59,052 | 4.6% | |
| 79 | Eastover, NC | 3,659 | $68,646 | 6.2% | |
| 80 | Granite Falls, NC | 4,934 | $76,680 | 3.0% | |
| 81 | Hemby Bridge, NC | 1,924 | $77,454 | 0.0% | |
| 82 | Bent Creek, NC | 1,536 | $77,355 | 13.7% | |
| 83 | Pine Level, NC | 2,116 | $65,347 | 3.2% | |
| 84 | Oakboro, NC | 2,379 | $78,453 | 1.4% | |
| 85 | Clyde, NC | 1,424 | $55,943 | 3.8% | |
| 86 | Atlantic Beach, NC | 1,736 | $49,583 | 3.4% | |
| 87 | Stanley, NC | 3,967 | $61,723 | 5.5% | |
| 88 | Archer Lodge, NC | 4,894 | $73,750 | 0.0% | |
| 89 | Beaufort, NC | 4,534 | $41,890 | 6.4% | |
| 90 | Creedmoor, NC | 4,871 | $78,750 | 5.5% | |
| 91 | Highlands, NC | 1,140 | $55,573 | 3.3% | |
| 92 | Lake Lure, NC | 1,575 | $75,259 | 4.1% | |
| 93 | Broadway, NC | 1,415 | $63,333 | 2.9% | |
| 94 | Cove Creek, NC | 1,354 | $51,812 | 1.1% | |
| 95 | Shallotte, NC | 4,213 | $71,659 | 1.3% | |
| 96 | Rutherfordton, NC | 3,671 | $58,913 | 4.0% | |
| 97 | Granite Quarry, NC | 2,988 | $51,798 | 2.6% | |
| 98 | Denver, NC | 2,739 | $65,577 | 3.7% | |
| 99 | Wallburg, NC | 3,081 | $80,592 | 8.2% | |
| 100 | Boonville, NC | 1,364 | $59,408 | 0.0% |
