Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012)

Household Income, Educational Attainment, and Property Crime Rates

J.C. Grant
J.C. Grant, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Jan 6, 2011 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

This article, the eleventh in a 50-state series, ranks the best places to live in North Carolina based on three criteria: (1) median household income (adjusted for cost of living); (2) educational attainment (% of residents 25 years and over who have earned a bachelor's degree or higher); and (3) property crime rates per 1,000 residents (burglary and automobile thefts). For purposes of these rankings, "places" are incorporated municipalities with populations greater than 2,000.

Among the twenty best places to live in North Carolina, six are suburbs of Charlotte, five are suburbs of Raleigh, four are suburbs of Greensboro, two are suburbs of Asheville, two are suburbs of Wilmington, and one is a suburb of Greenville. By county, five of the best places to live in North Carolina are located in or partially in Wake County; three in or partially in Mecklenburg County; three in or partially in Union County; three in Guilford County; two in Henderson County; one each in Brunswick, Craven, Forsyth, and New Hanover Counties; one partially in Durham County and one partially in Iredell County.

After reading "Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012)," return to this link to read "Largest Cities in North Carolina (2012)." A collection of similar articles for the remaining 49 states can be found at these links: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

For the culmination of the 50-state series, read "Best Places to Live in America (2012)."

This article may be updated as new data becomes available.

1. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Marvin, NC (Union County)


Population: 6,823
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $177,058
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 60.3%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 5.04*


Distance to Familiar Cities:

Charlotte, NC: 24 miles N
Raleigh, NC: 158 miles NE


2. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Weddington, NC (Union County)


Population: 9,304
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $135,833
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 53.1%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 5.04*


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Charlotte, NC: 16 miles SSE
Raleigh, NC: 154 miles NE


3. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Davidson, NC (Iredell and Mecklenburg Counties)


Population: 9,629
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $86,472
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 70.5%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 3.84


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Charlotte, NC: 21 miles S
Raleigh, NC: 148 miles ENE


4. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Summerfield, NC (Guilford County)


Population: 7,528
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $118,751
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 47.6%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 1.99*


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Greensboro, NC: 12 miles SSE
Raleigh, NC: 90 miles ESE



5. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Oak Ridge, NC (Guilford County)


Population: 4,498
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $112,920
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 43.9%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 1.99*


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Greensboro, NC: 18 miles SE
Raleigh, NC: 94 miles ESE


6. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Apex, NC (Wake County)


Population: 31,704
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $86,077
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 59.7%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 3.31


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Raleigh, NC: 14 miles ENE
Chapel Hill, NC: 25 miles NNW
Durham, NC: 22 miles N


7. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Cary, NC (Wake and Chatham Counties)


Population: 137,163
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $87,768
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 60.4%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 4.53


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Raleigh, NC: 9 miles ESE
Chapel Hill, NC: 25 miles NW
Durham, NC: 19 miles NNW


8. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Flat Rock, NC (Henderson County)


Population: 2,952
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $89,993
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 61.4%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 5.64*


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Asheville, NC: 29 miles NNW
Charlotte, NC: 102 miles E
Raleigh, NC: 252 miles ENE


9. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Trent Woods, NC (Craven County)



Population: 4,008
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $89,695
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 49.9%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 2.0


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Greenville, NC: 46 miles NNE
Raleigh, NC: 111 miles WNW


10. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Morrisville, NC (Wake and Durham Counties)


Population: 13,139
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $73,339
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 66.8%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 5.86


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Raleigh, NC: 16 miles SE
Chapel Hill, NC: 18 miles WNW
Durham, NC: 15 miles NNW


11. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Holly Springs, NC (Wake County)


Population: 19,022
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $87,945
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 52.1%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 3.79


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Raleigh, NC: 18 miles NE
Chapel Hill, NC: 29 miles N
Durham, NC: 30 miles NNW


12. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Huntersville, NC (Mecklenburg County)


Population: 41,357
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $85,916
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 54.2%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 4.69


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Charlotte, NC: 14 miles N
Raleigh, NC: 149 miles ENE


13. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Laurel Park, NC (Henderson County)


Population: 2,451

Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $68,128
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 53.8%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 1.22


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Asheville, NC: 28 miles NNE
Charlotte, NC: 106 miles E
Raleigh, NC: 256 miles ENE


14. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Jamestown, NC (Guilford County)


Population: 3,178
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $83,323
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 43.7%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 1.99*


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Greensboro, NC: 12 miles NE
Raleigh, NC: 87 miles ESE


15. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - St. James, NC (Brunswick County)


Population: 2,722
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $86,257
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 61.0%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 10.26


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Wilmington, NC: 31 miles NNE
Fayetteville, NC: 106 miles NNW
Raleigh, NC: 153 miles NNW


16. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Waxhaw, NC (Union County)


Population: 3,922
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $91,078
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 44.6%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 5.04*


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Charlotte, NC: 23 miles NNW
Raleigh, NC: 156 miles NE


17. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Wake Forest, NC (Wake County)


Population: 24,499
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $73,632

Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 53.8%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 4.86


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Raleigh, NC: 18 miles SSW
Chapel Hill, NC: 38 miles WSW
Durham, NC: 24 miles W


18. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County)


Population: 12,631
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $85,465
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 45.8%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 4.75*


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Greensboro, NC: 40 miles E
Raleigh, NC: 115 miles ESE


19. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Wesley Chapel, NC (Union County)


Population: 3,772
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $90,604
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 39.5%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 5.04*


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Charlotte, NC: 22 miles NNW
Raleigh, NC: 152 miles NE


20. Best Places to Live in North Carolina (2012) - Wrightsville Beach, NC (New Hanover)


Population: 2,646
Median household income (adjusted for cost of living): $76,260
Bachelor's degree or higher (25 years and over): 63.6%
Property crime rate per 1,000 residents (burglary and auto thefts): 19.65


Distance to Familiar Cities:


Wilmington, NC: 10 miles W
Fayetteville, NC: 97 miles NW
Raleigh, NC: 130 miles NNW


*In some cases, municipalities either do not report their crime statistics to the FBI or they contract for services with a county law enforcement agency or the state police. For those towns, crime rates are extrapolated from state, county, or contiguous municipality data.


Source(s):


"All Cities in North Carolina," City-Data.com
"American Community Survey," U.S. Census Bureau
"American Fact Finder," U.S. Census Bureau
"Uniform Crime Reports," Federal Bureau of Investigation

Published by J.C. Grant

A writer interested in education, finance, health, history, law, music, polemics, politics, satire, sports, statistics, travel, and trivia.  View profile

59 Comments

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  • John Smith3/11/2012

    Hello

  • John Smith2/20/2012

    Hey there, JCG! I've been waiting to be notified by Yahoo legal that you're attempting to discover my IP address through this account, so you can sue me for defamation which in your feeble little mind occurred when I questioned the veracity of your statistical modeling and median income quotes. I was really looking forward to some entertainment at your expense, but you are failing to deliver. Comon, you're the expert on the best towns to live in, in all 50 states, surely you can pay someone to write a threat-o-gram. Would it help if I gave you my actual mailing address? Welcome to Arizona!

  • John Smith2/13/2012

    Have fun serving papers to the starbucks across from the Bellagio! Good luck, my friend. :-)

  • J.C. Grant2/13/2012

    I can hear your nervous laughter 3,000 miles away.

  • John Smith2/13/2012

    You are one funny guy, I'll give you that. Internet strongman. Perpetuating the New Jersey stereotype of an overconfident bully. I know LAW! Tier 1 ! *And* an expert on where the best places to live in all 50 states are, to boot! What's not to love? Pure comedy gold.

  • J.C. Grant2/13/2012

    I don't need to crack open anything. You, on the other hand, need to crack open your 7th grade social studies book and read about the U.S. Constitution and, in particular, the "Full Faith and Credit Clause." Your lack of basic knowledge is stunning.

  • John Smith2/13/2012

    You probably should crack open a law book or two. My permanent residence is in Arizona, which does not recognize per se defamation as a legal construct. Good luck, dude! Maybe you can get a good article out of your snipe hunt.

  • J.C. Grant2/13/2012

    In fact, in part, I am. You also alleged that I engaged in things that could easily fall within the parameters of the RICO Act, as it has been expansively interpreted over the years. Along those same lines, you alleged things that would violate FTC regulations and state consumer fraud acts all across the country. This is where Ham & Eggers like you get in trouble -- you don't know the difference between opinions/criticisms and per se defamation; you're now going to learn and learn the hard way. In fact, after you are required to defend a lawsuit nearly 3000 miles away, I'm going to write another article about how to humble online chumps. Compensatory damages will be negligible. Punitive damages will not be. You might want to look up what the New Jersey Supreme Court has said about punitive damages in per se defamation cases with otherwise negligible compensatory damages. No doubt I'll end up with a Default Judgment. Holland & Hart will collect it in NV for me.

  • John Smith2/13/2012

    Are you referring to allegations or imputations "injurious to another in their trade, business, or profession" ? So basically anyone who has a blog with Google Adsense ads on it who gets a few bucks a month, and someone says in their comments section that they are misinformed, is entitled to monetary damages? Stop the presses! Everyone on the interwebs can now subpeona Yahoo for discovery! How strong is the extradition treaty from New Jersey to Nevada for calling someone a poopy-head? Oh, and since you graduated from a Tier 1 school, you'll realize that truth of a supposedly defamatory statement is an airtight defense. But please, keep puffing up your chest. Go for it! You can do it, you're a winner! All of your readers will love to know that you'll threaten to sue anyone who disagrees with you!

  • J.C. Grant2/13/2012

    You'd do well to look up "per se defamation." You'll be finding out soon enough.

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