1st Advantage MortgageThe median Nash County household earns $62,426, and 12% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Nash County
- Jobs and commutes in Nash County
- Income in Nash County compared with North Carolina
- Housing costs in Nash County
- The communities that make up Nash County
- How Nash County compares with nearby counties
- A Nash County household budget, worked through
- People and households in Nash County
- Local borrowing considerations for Nash County
- Checking a lender's license in North Carolina
- Checklist for Nash County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Nash County
Roughly 96,216 residents live in Nash County, North Carolina, 30th by population among the state's 100 counties and county equivalents. It covers 540 square miles of land, or about 178 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Rocky Mount, NC metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Rocky Mount is the biggest of its 10 Census places, at roughly 54,297 people (56% of the county total).
Jobs and commutes in Nash County
By the Census industry count, 19% of employed Nash County residents work in education and health care and 19% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 19% locally and 12% for North Carolina. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.9% in Nash County. About 81% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Nash County share | +/- vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.0% | -3.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.5% | +6.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.5% | +1.4 pts |
| Construction | 7.9% | +0.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.8% | -4.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.7% | -0.7 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Income in Nash County compared with North Carolina
Half of Nash County households take in less than $62,426 a year and half take in more, 14% below the North Carolina median of $72,388. Only 44 North Carolina counties post a higher median.
| Band | Nash County | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.0% | +1.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.0% | +5.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.3% | -2.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.7% | -4.7 pts |
Some 25% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 28% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 11.8%, 1 point lower than the state's 13.0%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.452 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Housing costs in Nash County
A typical Nash County rental runs $953 a month including utilities, which is 22% below North Carolina. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 41% of renter households here. Home values center on $191,000, or 3.1 years of median income. Owners occupy 64% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1986.
| Housing | Nash County | North Carolina statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $953/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $191,000 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 64% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 25% | n/a |
The communities that make up Nash County
10 Census places fall mainly inside Nash County; the 10 biggest are below. They account for 69,515 residents, leaving about 28% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Red Oak has the highest median household income on the list ($90,214) and Spring Hope the lowest ($38,393), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Middlesex ($645) and steepest in Dortches ($1,215). None of the 10 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | city | 54,297 | $55,534 | $957 | 10 mi |
| Nashville | town | 5,729 | $61,000 | $1,073 | 2 mi |
| Red Oak | town | 3,405 | $90,214 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Sharpsburg | town | 1,605 | $54,709 | $954 | 11 mi |
| Spring Hope | town | 1,387 | $38,393 | $763 | 7 mi |
| Dortches | town | 1,158 | $74,500 | $1,215 | 8 mi |
| Middlesex | town | 867 | $48,281 | $645 | 17 mi |
| Bailey | town | 422 | $60,208 | $814 | 15 mi |
| Momeyer | town | 398 | $65,278 | $817 | 3 mi |
| Castalia | town | 247 | $45,625 | $654 | 9 mi |
How Nash County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 19 to 36 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Nash County; Franklin County is highest at $74,240 and Halifax County lowest at $45,590.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nash County | - | $62,426 | $953/mo | 64% |
| Franklin County, NC | 19 mi | $74,240 | $1,083/mo | 79% |
| Wilson County, NC | 19 mi | $56,423 | $953/mo | 60% |
| Edgecombe County, NC | 22 mi | $51,265 | $858/mo | 61% |
| Halifax County, NC | 27 mi | $45,590 | $813/mo | 63% |
| Warren County, NC | 31 mi | $50,638 | $790/mo | 69% |
| Vance County, NC | 36 mi | $50,465 | $883/mo | 60% |
A Nash County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Nash County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Nash County: $5,202
- Median rent: $953, or 18 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,284: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
People and households in Nash County
College graduates make up 22% of the adult population. About 11% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Nash County | North Carolina | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.1% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.9% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.4% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.9% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.6% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.8% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Nash County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.4% |
| 60+ min | 6.3% |
Local borrowing considerations for Nash County
Based on the Nash County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 11% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Manufactured homes. 15% of Nash County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Checking a lender's license in North Carolina
The North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks is the place to verify any lender's North Carolina license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on North Carolina: North Carolina personal loans.
Checklist for Nash County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Nash County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in North Carolina.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nash County a high-income county?
Its $62,426 median ranks 45th of 100 North Carolina counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Nash County rent compare with North Carolina?
$953 locally versus $1,228 for the state, 22% below.
Which towns does the Nash County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 10 Census places: Rocky Mount, Nashville, Red Oak, Sharpsburg, Spring Hope.
Does living in Nash County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Nash County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Where can someone in Nash County check a lender's license?
With the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.