IncomeBy County

Stanly County, North Carolina

Income Data

+1% vs. North Carolina average
$61,631
Median Household Income
$31,623
Per Capita Income

At a Glance

Median Household Income
$61,631
+1% vs. state avg
Per Capita Income
$31,623
-20% vs. national
Income-to-Housing Ratio
28.8%
income as % of home value
Rank in North Carolina
#39 / 100
by median household income

How Stanly County Compares

Stanly County$61,631
North Carolina Average$61,072
National Median$74,755

Detailed Income Statistics

$61,631
Median Household Income
$31,623
Per Capita Income
$214,300
Median Home Value
28.8%
Income-to-Housing Ratio

Data Story

About Household Income in Stanly County, North Carolina

Stanly slightly below national average income

Stanly County's median household income of $61,631 trails the national median of $74,755 by $13,124, placing it roughly 18% below the U.S. average. However, Stanly ranks closer to the national median than most rural counties, positioning it in the middle-lower tier nationally. This reflects a more diversified local economy with manufacturing and service sectors offering moderate-wage employment.

Stanly edges above state average income

At $61,631, Stanly's median household income exceeds the North Carolina state average of $61,072 by a slim $559. This places Stanly in the upper-middle tier among North Carolina's 100 counties. The narrow margin reflects Stanly's position as a solid, working-class county without the advantages of major metropolitan employment centers or significant higher-wage sectors.

Leads most rural peers in household income

Stanly's $61,631 median income exceeds all comparison counties except Transylvania ($64,523), including Stokes ($60,039) and Surry ($56,095). The $5,500 advantage over Rutherford and larger gap versus Scotland reflects Stanly's relatively stronger manufacturing and service sector employment. This positions Stanly as a more prosperous node in the piedmont's rural economic network.

Solid housing affordability with growth potential

Stanly's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% indicates healthy housing affordability for renters. The median home value of $214,300 requires household income of roughly $75,000–$85,000 at conventional lending standards, creating a real but surmountable homeownership barrier. Two-income households and those with modest savings can realistically access homeownership in Stanly's market.

Middle-income households can build real wealth

Stanly households at the $61,631 median can comfortably allocate 10–15% of income to retirement savings while maintaining living standards. Home equity builds automatically for the roughly 65% who own their homes, creating substantial long-term wealth accumulation. Employer pensions and 401(k) matching—common in Stanly's manufacturing sector—compound significantly over 30+ year careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median household income in Stanly County, North Carolina?
The median household income in Stanly County, North Carolina is $61,631, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the county.
How much do people earn in Stanly County?
The per capita income in Stanly County is $31,623, which represents the average income per person across the entire county population. The median household income — which accounts for all earners in a household — is $61,631.
How does Stanly County compare to the North Carolina average?
Stanly County's median household income of $61,631 is higher than the North Carolina state average of $61,072. The per capita income is $31,623, compared to the state average of $33,920.
What is the per capita income in Stanly County, North Carolina?
The per capita income in Stanly County, North Carolina is $31,623, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Per capita income is calculated by dividing total personal income by total population, providing an average income figure per resident.
Why is Stanly County income higher than the North Carolina average?
Stanly County's median household income of $61,631 is higher than the North Carolina average of $61,072. This difference of $559 can be attributed to factors such as local industry mix, proximity to major employment centers, educational attainment levels, and cost of living. Counties with higher incomes often have a greater concentration of professional and technical occupations.
How does Stanly County rank for income in North Carolina?
Stanly County ranks #39 out of 100 counties in North Carolina by median household income (1 = highest). With a median household income of $61,631 and per capita income of $31,623, it falls in the middle third of counties statewide.

Income Comparison Calculator

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County median: $61,631 per year

vs. County Median

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vs. State Average

+1%

vs. National Median

-18%

vs. Stanly County MedianAbout equal
vs. North Carolina Average▲ 1% above
vs. National Median▼ 18% below

Income Adequacy

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Counties with Similar Income Levels

Boyle County
Kentucky
$61,635
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Venango County
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$61,626
+0%
Pamlico County
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$61,624
+0%
Cheboygan County
Michigan
$61,619
+0%
Gates County
North Carolina
$61,612
+0%
Cass County
Iowa
$61,657
+0%
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Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.

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