1st Advantage MortgageAbout 71% of Cabarrus County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $89,005. 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
- Cabarrus County at a glance
- How Cabarrus County residents earn a living
- Household income in Cabarrus County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Cabarrus County
- Counties near Cabarrus County
- Towns and communities in Cabarrus County
- Cabarrus County households compared
- What the numbers mean for Cabarrus County borrowers
- What a median Cabarrus County budget can carry
- Who licenses lenders for Cabarrus County residents
- Before you sign
- More guides for Cabarrus County
- Frequently asked questions
Cabarrus County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Cabarrus County's population at 236,133; only 8 of North Carolina's 100 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 361 square miles, that is close to 654 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan area. Of the 6 Census places inside Cabarrus County, Concord leads by population with about 108,719; 6 of the 6 are incorporated.
How Cabarrus County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Cabarrus County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 20% of workers, followed by retail trade (13%). The sharpest difference from the state is in finance, insurance and real estate, at 11% locally and 7% for North Carolina. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 72% drive to work alone and 17% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Cabarrus County share | +/- vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.0% | -2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.1% | +1.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.3% | -0.3 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 10.9% | +3.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.5% | -2.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.3% | -0.1 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.
Household income in Cabarrus County
At $89,005, the typical Cabarrus County household income is 36% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Band | Cabarrus County | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.5% | -5.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.7% | -2.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.2% | +4.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 14.6% | +4.2 pts |
Some 17% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 44% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 9.3%, 4 points lower than the state's 13.0%. A household earning below the $89,005 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Rent, home values and ownership in Cabarrus County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,414 in Cabarrus County versus $1,228 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 50% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $354,800, about 4.0 times the median household income. Owners occupy 71% of homes.
| Housing | Cabarrus County | North Carolina statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,414/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $354,800 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 10% | 13% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Counties near Cabarrus County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (18 to 34 miles). Union County leads the group on income ($102,900), Stanly County trails ($60,704), and Cabarrus County out-earns 5 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabarrus County | - | $89,005 | $1,414/mo | 71% |
| Rowan County, NC | 18 mi | $65,725 | $1,013/mo | 72% |
| Stanly County, NC | 18 mi | $60,704 | $861/mo | 74% |
| Mecklenburg County, NC | 19 mi | $87,005 | $1,627/mo | 55% |
| Union County, NC | 27 mi | $102,900 | $1,496/mo | 82% |
| Iredell County, NC | 34 mi | $81,419 | $1,252/mo | 72% |
| Davidson County, NC | 34 mi | $64,172 | $901/mo | 74% |
Towns and communities in Cabarrus County
The table lists the 6 largest of 6 Census places in Cabarrus County, by population. Together all 6 hold about 199,172 people, so roughly 16% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $73,836 in Kannapolis to $148,254 in Harrisburg. City guides exist for the linked Cabarrus County places; everyone else in the county can use this page.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | city | 108,719 | $86,921 | $1,451 | 5 mi |
| Kannapolis | city | 57,890 | $73,836 | $1,319 | 8 mi |
| Harrisburg | town | 19,633 | $148,254 | $2,640 | 8 mi |
| Locust | city | 5,840 | $76,504 | $895 | 11 mi |
| Midland | town | 4,860 | $101,477 | $1,418 | 10 mi |
| Mount Pleasant | town | 2,230 | $90,795 | $1,178 | 7 mi |
Cabarrus County households compared
Degree holders: 38% of adults over 25. About 8% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Cabarrus County | All of North Carolina | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.7 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 37.9% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.9% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.9% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.0% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 17.2% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.3% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 18.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.5% |
| 60+ min | 6.8% |
What the numbers mean for Cabarrus County borrowers
What the Cabarrus County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Consolidation math. With 44% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- Rent squeeze. 50% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
What a median Cabarrus County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Cabarrus County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Cabarrus County: $7,417
- Median rent: $1,414, or 19 cents of every gross dollar
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,553 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Cabarrus County's.
Who licenses lenders for Cabarrus County residents
Consumer lenders serving Cabarrus County are licensed by the state, not the county; in North Carolina that is the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: North Carolina guide.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Cabarrus County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the North Carolina license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
More guides for Cabarrus County
City guides inside Cabarrus County, and the statewide guide:
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Cabarrus County household make?
About $89,005 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 23% above the North Carolina median.
How much is rent in Cabarrus County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,414 a month; 50% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Concord?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Cabarrus County, such as Kannapolis, Harrisburg, Locust.
Are Cabarrus County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Is there a Cabarrus County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In North Carolina it is the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks.