1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Montgomery County is $766 a month against a median household income of $57,766, about 16% of income (ACS 2020-24). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Montgomery County
- The Montgomery County job picture
- Earnings across Montgomery County households
- Homes and rents, Montgomery County
- Where Montgomery County differs from the rest of North Carolina
- Montgomery County, Stanly County and other neighbors
- Montgomery County towns compared
- Room for a loan payment in Montgomery County
- People and households in Montgomery County
- Borrowing situations common in Montgomery County
- A Montgomery County borrower's checklist
- North Carolina rules that apply in Montgomery County
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Montgomery County
Montgomery County is home to about 26,007 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 74th most populous of 100 county-level areas in North Carolina. Montgomery County spans 492 square miles; with 26,007 people, that is 52.9 per square mile. Montgomery County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Troy (2,926 people) heads the county's list of 5 Census places, 5 incorporated and 0 census-designated.
The Montgomery County job picture
Top Montgomery County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 22%; second, manufacturing, 19%. Compared with North Carolina, the county leans toward manufacturing (19% against 12%). Averaged over the five survey years, 2.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 19% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Sector | Montgomery County | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.8% | -0.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.1% | +7.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | +0.3 pts |
| Construction | 11.2% | +3.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.4% | +0.1 pts |
| Public administration | 5.5% | +1.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Earnings across Montgomery County households
Montgomery County households have a median income of $57,766 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 62nd of 100 in North Carolina.
| Income band | Share in Montgomery County | Difference from North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.2% | +5.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.8% | +5.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.4% | -6.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.7% | -4.7 pts |
29% under $35,000 and 24% at $100,000 or more: that is the Montgomery County income split. The poverty rate is 15.4%, 2 points higher than the state's 13.0%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.460 here. A household earning below the $57,766 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Homes and rents, Montgomery County
A typical Montgomery County rental runs $766 a month including utilities, which is 38% below North Carolina. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 38% in Montgomery County, 49% statewide. With a median value of $161,700, a typical Montgomery County house costs 2.8 times what the median household earns in a year. 75% of Montgomery County households own their home and 25% rent.
| Housing | Montgomery County | North Carolina statewide | Montgomery County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 29.4% | 11.0% | +18.4 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 49% | -11.2 pts |
| Owners | 75% | 67% | +8.4 pts |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 25% | +6.1 pts |
| Median home value | $161,700 | $288,900 | 44% lower |
| Median gross rent | $766/mo | $1,228/mo | 38% lower |
With 75% of Montgomery County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Where Montgomery County differs from the rest of North Carolina
Ranked against the other 99 county-level areas in North Carolina, these are the Montgomery County figures furthest from the middle.
- The share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 38% in Montgomery County. Only 3 of 100 North Carolina counties are lower. Lower rent burdens mean more renters have slack, but test your own numbers.
- On the ACS unemployment rate, Montgomery County sits near the bottom of North Carolina at 2.8%, 6th lowest of 100. Low unemployment does not lower your rate; your credit does.
- Montgomery County ranks 12th highest of 100 North Carolina counties for the share of mobile homes: 29.4%, against 11.0% statewide. Repairs on manufactured homes are a common loan purpose; get written quotes.
Montgomery County, Stanly County and other neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (19 to 36 miles). Income ranges from $44,883 in Richmond County to $86,080 in Moore County; 4 of these neighbors top Montgomery County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | - | $57,766 | $766/mo | 75% |
| Stanly County, NC | 19 mi | $60,704 | $861/mo | 74% |
| Moore County, NC | 24 mi | $86,080 | $1,254/mo | 76% |
| Richmond County, NC | 24 mi | $44,883 | $724/mo | 66% |
| Anson County, NC | 27 mi | $47,302 | $814/mo | 69% |
| Randolph County, NC | 27 mi | $61,022 | $887/mo | 73% |
| Davidson County, NC | 36 mi | $64,172 | $901/mo | 74% |
Montgomery County towns compared
Here are the 5 most populous of the county's 5 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 33% of Montgomery County residents live in one of the 5. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $20,760, Mount Gilead over Star. Rent is cheapest in Biscoe ($625) and steepest in Mount Gilead ($1,061). From Troy to the smallest crossroads, Montgomery County residents share this guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | town | 2,926 | $51,731 | $675 | 3 mi |
| Biscoe | town | 2,116 | $45,190 | $625 | 8 mi |
| Star | town | 1,282 | $38,125 | $642 | 9 mi |
| Mount Gilead | town | 1,197 | $58,885 | $1,061 | 9 mi |
| Candor | town | 1,160 | $57,639 | $1,020 | 10 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Montgomery County
Here is the Montgomery County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,814 before taxes
- Median rent: $766, or 16 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,304: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
A household below the $57,766 median has less room than this, often none.
People and households in Montgomery County
College graduates make up 19% of the adult population. 12.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Montgomery County | Gap to North Carolina | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.0 | +4.9 yrs | +2.5 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.2% | -16.5 pts | -3.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 16.5% | +6.6 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.5% | +2.6 pts | +4.6 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | -0.6 pts | -0.7 pts |
| Work from home | 5.9% | -10.5 pts | -2.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 15.4% | +2.4 pts | +2.3 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.8% | -1.9 pts | -1.6 pts |
| Commute length | Montgomery County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.4% |
| 60+ min | 11.7% |
Borrowing situations common in Montgomery County
What the Montgomery County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Hospital bills in Montgomery County. For the 12% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Long drives. With 19% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Montgomery County budgets.
- Mobile home upkeep. 29% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
A Montgomery County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Montgomery County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Montgomery County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the North Carolina license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask a Montgomery County credit union about member loans.
North Carolina rules that apply in Montgomery County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Montgomery County borrowers answers to the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the North Carolina state guide for the statewide picture.
Keep exploring
For statewide rules and data, see the North Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Montgomery County earn?
The median is $57,766; 24% earn $100,000 or more and 29% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Montgomery County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $766 against $1,228 statewide, and 38% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Montgomery County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 75% of Montgomery County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Montgomery County?
By population: Troy, Biscoe, Star, Mount Gilead, Candor. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Can Montgomery County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every North Carolina county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.