The 10 Best Small Towns In North Carolina For 2022


We used science and data to determine which small towns in North Carolina are the best of the best.

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You've seen these lists before: Best places to live in North Carolina, Most Beautiful Downtowns, etc., etc. But all of them 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 best 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 just want to know which places in North Carolina ranked the based--you know, based on science.

Before we get to the top 15, here's a look at the 10 Best Small Towns To Live in North Carolina for 2022.

What's the best small town in North Carolina? Trent Woods 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 Trent Woods, 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:

The 15 Best Small Towns In North Carolina For 2022

1. Trent Woods

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 4,043
Median Income: $99,052 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $264,100 (39th Best)
More on Trent Woods: Data | Homes For Sale

2. Wrightsville Beach

Wrightsville Beach, NC

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

8.5
/10

Population: 2,541
Median Income: $105,707 (5th Best)
Median Home Value: $853,000 (2nd Best)
More on Wrightsville Beach: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

3. Royal Pines

Overall SnackAbility

7.5
/10

Population: 4,499
Median Income: $84,415 (21st Best)
Median Home Value: $292,900 (27th Best)
More on Royal Pines: Data | Homes For Sale

4. Fearrington Village

Source: Public Domain
Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,692
Median Income: $82,708 (26th Best)
Median Home Value: $359,900 (15th Best)
More on Fearrington Village: Data | Homes For Sale

5. Biltmore Forest

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 1,679
Median Income: $164,000 (1st Best)
Median Home Value: $1,022,700 (1st Best)
More on Biltmore Forest: Data | Homes For Sale

6. Weaverville

Weaverville, NC

Source: Wikipedia User -ted | CC BY 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

8.5
/10

Population: 3,956
Median Income: $71,806 (51st Best)
Median Home Value: $320,300 (20th Best)
More on Weaverville: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

7. Alamance

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,280
Median Income: $89,688 (15th Best)
Median Home Value: $322,000 (19th Best)
More on Alamance: Data | Homes For Sale

8. Kure Beach

Kure Beach, NC

Source: Wikipedia User Alexisrael | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 2,451
Median Income: $88,393 (16th Best)
Median Home Value: $453,700 (6th Best)
More on Kure Beach: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

9. Forest Oaks

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 4,102
Median Income: $95,021 (10th Best)
Median Home Value: $260,200 (41st Best)
More on Forest Oaks: Data | Homes For Sale

10. Avery Creek

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,256
Median Income: $90,333 (13th Best)
Median Home Value: $255,100 (45th Best)
More on Avery Creek: Data | Homes For Sale

11. Oriental

Overall SnackAbility

/10

Population: 1,136
Median Income: $62,734 (72nd Best)
Median Home Value: $315,600 (22nd Best)
More on Oriental: Data | Homes For Sale

12. Walnut Creek

Overall SnackAbility

/10

Population: 1,419
Median Income: $158,750 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $383,700 (10th Best)
More on Walnut Creek: Data | Homes For Sale

13. Blowing Rock

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,149
Median Income: $83,333 (22nd Best)
Median Home Value: $497,000 (4th Best)
More on Blowing Rock: Data | Homes For Sale

14. Bermuda Run

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,688
Median Income: $71,082 (52nd Best)
Median Home Value: $199,300 (83rd Best)
More on Bermuda Run: Data | Homes For Sale

15. Whispering Pines

Overall SnackAbility

9
/10

Population: 3,357
Median Income: $88,029 (17th Best)
Median Home Value: $344,600 (16th Best)
More on Whispering Pines: Data | Homes For Sale

Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In North Carolina

We threw a lot of criteria at this one in order to get the best, most complete results possible. Using the most recent data from the Census's 2016-2020 American Community Survey and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 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)
Best States In America

We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which, there were a lot - 292 to be exact.

We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 292, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in North Carolina. Top of that list -- Trent Woods. You can download the data here.

Keep reading to find out more about our top 15 best small towns 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, we 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?

If you're curious, here are the worst small towns in North Carolina:

  1. South Henderson
  2. Garland
  3. Robbins

For more North Carolina reading, check out:

Detailed List Of The Best Small Towns In North Carolina

Rank City Population Median Income Median Home Value
1 Trent Woods, NC 4,043 $99,052.0 $264,100.0
2 Wrightsville Beach, NC 2,541 $105,707.0 $853,000.0
3 Royal Pines, NC 4,499 $84,415.0 $292,900.0
4 Fearrington Village, NC 2,692 $82,708.0 $359,900.0
5 Biltmore Forest, NC 1,679 $164,000.0 $1,022,700.0
6 Weaverville, NC 3,956 $71,806.0 $320,300.0
7 Alamance, NC 1,280 $89,688.0 $322,000.0
8 Kure Beach, NC 2,451 $88,393.0 $453,700.0
9 Forest Oaks, NC 4,102 $95,021.0 $260,200.0
10 Avery Creek, NC 3,256 $90,333.0 $255,100.0
11 Oriental, NC 1,136 $62,734.0 $315,600.0
12 Walnut Creek, NC 1,419 $158,750.0 $383,700.0
13 Blowing Rock, NC 1,149 $83,333.0 $497,000.0
14 Bermuda Run, NC 2,688 $71,082.0 $199,300.0
15 Whispering Pines, NC 3,357 $88,029.0 $344,600.0
16 Swansboro, NC 3,339 $66,844.0 $265,400.0
17 Cramerton, NC 4,417 $87,927.0 $220,400.0
18 Westport, NC 4,153 $128,293.0 $446,600.0
19 Jame, NC 4,298 $65,945.0 $253,300.0
20 Pine Knoll Shores, NC 1,284 $82,361.0 $398,900.0
21 Northlakes, NC 1,304 $82,895.0 $219,500.0
22 Faith, NC 1,053 $103,417.0 $192,500.0
23 Seven Lakes, NC 4,438 $75,430.0 $324,900.0
24 River Bend, NC 3,036 $67,750.0 $172,700.0
25 Valley Hill, NC 2,215 $75,372.0 $242,100.0
26 Cedar Point, NC 2,176 $79,875.0 $335,900.0
27 Laurel Park, NC 2,533 $73,916.0 $280,700.0
28 Southport, NC 3,860 $62,663.0 $249,900.0
29 Balfour, NC 1,177 $60,833.0 $200,300.0
30 Kitty Hawk, NC 3,534 $74,797.0 $371,200.0
31 Bayshore, NC 3,776 $86,429.0 $291,000.0
32 Nags Head, NC 2,965 $78,235.0 $316,300.0
33 Brices Creek, NC 4,158 $100,115.0 $295,300.0
34 Red Oak, NC 3,446 $73,010.0 $206,300.0
35 Emerald Isle, NC 3,691 $84,457.0 $382,500.0
36 Boiling Springs, NC 4,580 $73,457.0 $181,900.0
37 Flat Rock, NC 3,354 $90,642.0 $449,400.0
38 Swepsonville, NC 2,254 $65,802.0 $209,300.0
39 Cape Carteret, NC 2,730 $78,056.0 $269,000.0
40 Atlantic Beach, NC 1,870 $59,348.0 $361,100.0
41 Lake Junaluska, NC 3,252 $73,441.0 $248,000.0
42 Creedmoor, NC 4,539 $78,119.0 $185,300.0
43 Lowesville, NC 3,180 $100,917.0 $279,100.0
44 Lake Park, NC 3,851 $70,296.0 $203,400.0
45 Wanchese, NC 2,092 $58,984.0 $241,100.0
46 Drexel, NC 1,725 $57,609.0 $120,200.0
47 Tryon, NC 1,431 $45,403.0 $215,300.0
48 Buies Creek, NC 3,388 $35,109.0 $274,400.0
49 Sunset Beach, NC 3,994 $61,458.0 $255,500.0
50 Carolina Shores, NC 4,391 $57,454.0 $214,200.0
51 Wingate, NC 4,456 $52,672.0 $155,200.0
52 Foxfire, NC 1,757 $62,750.0 $254,400.0
53 Southern Shores, NC 2,931 $106,523.0 $475,900.0
54 Mulberry, NC 2,055 $48,275.0 $155,100.0
55 Pleasant Garden, NC 4,906 $83,266.0 $166,000.0
56 Mcadenville, NC 1,054 $89,792.0 $285,900.0
57 Fairview, NC 3,849 $76,824.0 $222,700.0
58 Granite Falls, NC 4,659 $67,069.0 $164,300.0
59 Pumpkin Center, NC 1,850 $52,619.0 $135,800.0
60 Banner Elk, NC 1,473 $53,750.0 $302,200.0
61 Boonville, NC 1,404 $52,500.0 $136,600.0
62 Hoopers Creek, NC 1,392 $55,286.0 $182,100.0
63 Bent Creek, NC 1,652 $82,629.0 $240,300.0
64 Oakboro, NC 2,214 $62,141.0 $170,200.0
65 Stem, NC 1,169 $73,750.0 $164,700.0
66 Bethlehem, NC 3,959 $67,411.0 $225,300.0
67 Fairfield Harbour, NC 2,803 $67,936.0 $208,100.0
68 Broadway, NC 1,460 $56,154.0 $166,700.0
69 Highlands, NC 1,061 $55,938.0 $590,100.0
70 Lake Lure, NC 1,634 $60,882.0 $372,900.0
71 Foscoe, NC 1,309 $53,594.0 $260,700.0
72 Belville, NC 2,696 $66,750.0 $187,200.0
73 Horse Shoe, NC 2,174 $69,464.0 $274,000.0
74 Neuse Forest, NC 2,016 $75,481.0 $201,900.0
75 Pittsboro, NC 4,221 $42,114.0 $302,100.0
76 Clyde, NC 1,483 $57,721.0 $159,200.0
77 Mountain Home, NC 4,352 $45,667.0 $207,800.0
78 Stanley, NC 3,734 $61,786.0 $153,600.0
79 Mars Hill, NC 3,035 $56,000.0 $242,000.0
80 Landis, NC 3,119 $65,769.0 $173,600.0
81 Northchase, NC 4,987 $50,906.0 $206,400.0
82 Troutman, NC 2,723 $62,800.0 $222,300.0
83 Midland, NC 3,702 $73,897.0 $244,100.0
84 Lake Waccamaw, NC 1,606 $53,073.0 $256,700.0
85 Eastover, NC 3,740 $55,174.0 $222,400.0
86 Ranlo, NC 3,643 $66,360.0 $145,100.0
87 Cove Creek, NC 1,087 $47,432.0 $215,700.0
88 Stedman, NC 1,666 $83,068.0 $166,100.0
89 Hemby Bridge, NC 1,853 $60,125.0 $157,900.0
90 Holly Ridge, NC 2,649 $79,167.0 $222,700.0
91 Jaars, NC 1,090 $53,620.0 $9,999.0
92 Maggie Valley, NC 1,843 $52,836.0 $218,600.0
93 Wilkesboro, NC 3,457 $36,314.0 $170,200.0
94 Shallotte, NC 4,205 $58,306.0 $214,900.0
95 Rutherford College, NC 1,104 $43,400.0 $146,400.0
96 Rutherfordton, NC 4,071 $46,144.0 $158,100.0
97 Advance, NC 1,135 $90,461.0 $255,800.0
98 Pinebluff, NC 1,694 $61,023.0 $165,400.0
99 Surf City, NC 3,187 $75,104.0 $285,800.0
100 Edneyville, NC 2,782 $73,859.0 $239,800.0
Download The Entire North Carolina Ranking Data

This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. This is our ninth time ranking the best small places to live in North Carolina.

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

 Best Small Towns, Rankings