1st Advantage MortgageAbout 74% of Alleghany County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $47,172. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's North Carolina license first.
On this page
- Alleghany County by the numbers
- Jobs and commutes in Alleghany County
- Income in Alleghany County compared with North Carolina
- Rent, home values and ownership in Alleghany County
- Alleghany County and the counties next door
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Alleghany County
- Alleghany County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Borrowing situations common in Alleghany County
- Debt-to-income at Alleghany County's medians
- Lender oversight for Alleghany County
- Four steps for Alleghany County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Alleghany County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Alleghany County's population at 11,174; only 92 of North Carolina's 100 county-level areas are larger. It covers 235 square miles of land, or about 48 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Alleghany County is not part of any metropolitan area. Sparta, with about 1,928 people, is the only Census place mainly inside the county.
Jobs and commutes in Alleghany County
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 13%. Compared with North Carolina, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (7% against 1%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.7% in Alleghany County. About 76% drive to work alone and 17% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 6.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Alleghany County share | +/- vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.5% | -2.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.6% | +1.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.4% | +0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.2% | -1.5 pts |
| Construction | 10.2% | +2.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.9% | +0.7 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Income in Alleghany County compared with North Carolina
The median household income in Alleghany County is $47,172; statewide it is $72,388, so Alleghany County runs 35% below North Carolina as a whole.
| Income band | Share in Alleghany County | Difference from North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.9% | +12.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.0% | +5.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 13.6% | -11.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.6% | -6.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 17% of Alleghany County households make $100,000 or more, and 36% make less than $35,000. 16.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.0%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Rent, home values and ownership in Alleghany County
A typical Alleghany County rental runs $675 a month including utilities, which is 45% below North Carolina. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 40% of renter households here. Home values center on $214,800, or 4.6 years of median income. The ownership rate is 74%. Median construction year: 1980.
| Housing | Alleghany County | North Carolina statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $675/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $214,800 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 16.5% | 11.0% | n/a |
Because most Alleghany County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Alleghany County and the counties next door
Six nearby counties, 12 to 28 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Alleghany County; Ashe County is highest at $56,866 and Galax city lowest at $38,675. The list crosses into Virginia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleghany County | - | $47,172 | $675/mo | 74% |
| Grayson County, VA | 12 mi | $47,730 | $765/mo | 80% |
| Galax city, VA | 17 mi | $38,675 | $743/mo | 56% |
| Wilkes County, NC | 19 mi | $51,721 | $723/mo | 74% |
| Ashe County, NC | 21 mi | $56,866 | $859/mo | 79% |
| Surry County, NC | 25 mi | $55,656 | $761/mo | 73% |
| Carroll County, VA | 28 mi | $54,484 | $738/mo | 77% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Alleghany County
Just one Census place, Sparta, lies mainly within Alleghany County; it holds about 1,928 people. Live in one of these Alleghany County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta | town | 1,928 | $42,454 | $563 | 1 mi |
Alleghany County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 24% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 13.8%, against 9.9% for North Carolina.
| Indicator | Alleghany County | All of North Carolina | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 52.6 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.6% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.8% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.8% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.6% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.0% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.7% |
| 60+ min | 9.9% |
Borrowing situations common in Alleghany County
A few patterns in the Alleghany County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Uninsured care. 14% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Mobile home upkeep. 17% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Retirees. At a median age of 52.6, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
Debt-to-income at Alleghany County's medians
Alleghany County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $47,172 a year is $3,931 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $675, takes 17% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $740 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 43% cap, $1,690 total minus rent leaves $1,015
If your rent is above $675, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Lender oversight for Alleghany County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Alleghany County borrowers answers to the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The North Carolina guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Alleghany County borrowers
A short checklist for Alleghany County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Related local guides
The North Carolina guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Alleghany County?
$47,172 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $72,388 for North Carolina. It ranks 91st of 100 in the state.
Is Alleghany County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $675 against $1,228 statewide, and 40% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Alleghany County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 74% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Alleghany County?
By population: Sparta. The county has 1 Census place in all.
Will a Alleghany County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming North Carolina as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.