The 10 Worst Small Towns In North Carolina For 2024


The worst small towns in North Carolina are South Henderson and Fairplains for 2024 based on Friday Night Science.

Most Americans have never been to small town North Carolina. However, as the North Carolinian who live there know, small town North Carolina is an awesome place to call home.

But is it all roses? Definitely not. Just like any other state, North Carolina has its trouble spots. This article aims to determine, using Saturday Night Science, the absolute worst small towns to live in the Tar Heel State. Don’t freak out, we will use data to show which places have high crime, poverty, and unemployment.

After analyzing more than 278 of North Carolina’s smallest cities, we came up with this list as the 10 worst small towns in North Carolina where you’d never want to live:


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table


These are the worst small towns in North Carolina for 2024:

  1. South Henderson
  2. Fairplains
  3. Red Springs
  4. Yanceyville
  5. Bonnetsville
  6. Robbins
  7. Weldon
  8. Brogden
  9. St. Pauls
  10. Enfield

Worst Small Towns To Live In North Carolina Map

So what is the worst small town to call home in North Carolina for 2024? According to the most recent census data, South Henderson is the worst small town to live in North Carolina.

While many of these small towns have seen better days, they have wonderful communities and people. This report in no way means to knock the folks that call towns like South Henderson home. Everyone

Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers, or scroll to the bottom to see how your town ranked.

And if you already know about the small towns, check out the best places to live in North Carolina or the worst places to live in North Carolina.

If you’re looking for something more national, check out the worst cities in America or the worst states in America.

The 10 Worst Small Towns In North Carolina For 2024

1. South Henderson

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,187
Median Home Value: $0
Median Income: $35,341
Unemployment Rate: 23.1%

2. Fairplains

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 1,709
Median Home Value: $170,457
Median Income: $37,261
Unemployment Rate: 19.5%

3. Red Springs

Red Springs, NC

Source: Wikipedia User User:Dincher | GFDL
Overall SnackAbility

1
/10

Population: 3,118
Median Home Value: $85,668
Median Income: $20,917
Unemployment Rate: 8.4%

4. Yanceyville

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,576
Median Home Value: $157,793
Median Income: $26,693
Unemployment Rate: 7.2%

5. Bonnetsville

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,297
Median Home Value: $157,366
Median Income: $41,135
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%

6. Robbins

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,511
Median Home Value: $157,866
Median Income: $47,770
Unemployment Rate: 8.7%

7. Weldon

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 1,536
Median Home Value: $55,906
Median Income: $37,330
Unemployment Rate: 12.3%

8. Brogden

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,744
Median Home Value: $132,820
Median Income: $32,132
Unemployment Rate: 10.5%

9. St. Pauls

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 2,261
Median Home Value: $127,827
Median Income: $36,490
Unemployment Rate: 9.9%

10. Enfield

Overall SnackAbility

1
/10

Population: 1,967
Median Home Value: $57,970
Median Income: $19,853
Unemployment Rate: 18.5%

Methodology: How do you decide if a small place in North Carolina is lousy or not?

To rank the worst small towns to live in North Carolina, we had to determine what criteria people like or dislike about a place. Assuming that people like low crime, solid education, things to do, and a stable economy isn’t a stretch.

We then analyzed the criteria using Saturday Night Science, the thinking you’d use at a bar. It seems like even your crazy Uncle would agree that a town with high crime is worse than a town with low crime; all else the same.

Using FBI crime data and the Census’s 2018-2022 American Community Survey, this is the criteria we used:

  • Population Density (The lower, the worse)
  • Highest Unemployment Rates
  • Low housing costs (meaning there’s no demand)
  • Adjusted Median Income (Median income adjusted for the cost of living)
  • Education (Number of high school dropouts)
  • High Crime

We looked at cities with populations between 1,000 and 5,000 people, of which there were many – 278 to be exact.

We get the crime numbers from the FBI, which gets them from the cities. Dropout numbers are based on the adult population, not just the current graduation rates of teenagers.

We base all our research on facts, which is meant as infotainment. We updated this article for 2024, which is our tenth time ranking the worst small places to live in North Carolina.

There You Have It – The Worst Small Towns In North Carolina

If you’re analyzing teeny places in the Tar Heel State with the worst economic situations, where there’s high crime and there’s not a lot to do, this is an accurate list.

The worst small towns in North Carolina are South Henderson, Fairplains, Red Springs, Yanceyville, Bonnetsville, Robbins, Weldon, Brogden, St. Pauls, and Enfield.

If you’re curious enough, here are the best small towns to live in North Carolina, according to science:

  1. Kure Beach (Pop. 2,313)
  2. Royal Pines (Pop. 4,681)
  3. Fearrington Village (Pop. 2,582)

For more North Carolina reading, check out:

    Worst Small Towns In North Carolina

    RankTownPopulationUnemployment RateHome ValueMedian Income
    1South Henderson1,18723.1%$0$35,341
    2Fairplains1,70919.5%$170,457$37,261
    3Red Springs3,1188.4%$85,668$20,917
    4Yanceyville2,5767.2%$157,793$26,693
    5Bonnetsville1,2974.5%$157,366$41,135
    6Robbins1,5118.7%$157,866$47,770
    7Weldon1,53612.3%$55,906$37,330
    8Brogden2,74410.5%$132,820$32,132
    9St. Pauls2,2619.9%$127,827$36,490
    10Enfield1,96718.5%$57,970$19,853
    11East Rockingham3,32812.5%$126,411$31,475
    12Tabor City3,7096.1%$165,633$34,722
    13Brunswick1,2336.1%$153,411$16,643
    14Belhaven1,37811.2%$234,277$30,147
    15Lucama1,05811.1%$181,220$37,750
    16Rose Hill1,75413.3%$133,280$45,000
    17Maxton2,30015.3%$101,013$23,106
    18Andrews2,08612.9%$229,885$34,939
    19Maury1,05513.5%$118,365$19,797
    20Gamewell3,7106.5%$192,508$54,037
    21Dana3,6296.5%$283,777$53,256
    22Plymouth3,31524.2%$98,385$24,385
    23Cherokee1,6041.6%$191,321$43,655
    24Fairmont2,5198.7%$83,590$31,731
    25Scotland Neck1,86110.7%$67,949$17,271
    26Sparta1,7954.5%$233,019$38,045
    27Rowland1,00311.5%$90,620$28,750
    28Franklinville1,2454.2%$224,719$38,712
    29East Spencer1,2168.0%$131,320$37,917
    30Candor1,1680.4%$156,512$45,351
    31Hertford2,04513.3%$257,347$43,696
    32Millers Creek1,4757.1%$227,616$41,434
    33Pembroke2,8324.8%$150,112$23,107
    34River Road3,5077.2%$225,549$46,434
    35Sylva2,60112.0%$309,265$38,704
    36Cordova1,32033.2%$173,457$51,046
    37Spring Hope1,4418.7%$197,632$29,699
    38Badin2,07511.3%$167,445$42,708
    39Belwood1,1033.5%$154,418$46,355
    40Bayboro1,2092.6%$131,078$28,393
    41Cricket2,4916.8%$186,003$45,536
    42Troy2,9215.9%$191,679$44,261
    43Liberty2,66610.2%$250,780$48,672
    44Snow Hill2,0925.5%$164,257$34,583
    45Gorman1,4732.2%$286,504$1,000
    46Jonesville2,6342.1%$141,480$26,044
    47Chadbourn1,5484.8%$165,481$23,477
    48Murphy1,5497.7%$293,033$34,283
    49Spindale4,2188.5%$128,978$38,857
    50Enochville3,4467.5%$239,322$57,328
    51Biscoe2,5951.1%$162,040$44,814
    52Icard1,98415.8%$202,397$45,620
    53Ahoskie4,84111.9%$110,039$38,063
    54Ellerbe1,15619.8%$121,881$45,654
    55Mount Olive4,2867.1%$114,050$41,738
    56Chocowinity1,05919.0%$144,002$35,098
    57South Rosemary2,8773.5%$114,547$41,875
    58Mayodan2,43811.2%$148,549$40,458
    59Grifton2,67615.7%$155,352$34,609
    60Wilson’s Mills2,58110.9%$272,732$59,309
    61Saxapahaw1,2008.3%$213,412$50,909
    62La Grange2,6408.7%$164,111$46,799
    63Star1,2083.2%$166,651$35,750
    64Fruitland2,4471.2%$177,684$40,500
    65Beulaville1,4393.0%$189,369$34,115
    66West Jefferson1,50822.3%$327,267$41,036
    67Marshville2,56513.1%$277,203$50,000
    68Denton1,3076.8%$236,654$44,539
    69Yadkinville2,9717.2%$227,489$41,148
    70Toast1,2108.0%$128,184$33,665
    71Polkton2,9371.5%$86,935$47,277
    72Elkin4,0263.1%$214,480$57,711
    73Burgaw3,20714.8%$258,596$63,355
    74Franklin4,1843.7%$274,219$38,947
    75Calabash2,5708.1%$327,276$46,607
    76Jefferson1,8724.3%$326,995$37,232
    77Green Level3,1113.1%$166,502$42,695
    78Spencer3,2969.0%$192,651$61,079
    79Spruce Pine2,6371.8%$238,753$44,596
    80Princeville1,63011.4%$111,769$50,938
    81Vander1,48110.2%$297,686$45,875
    82North Wilkesboro4,3491.2%$200,372$36,855
    83Salem1,6345.8%$191,594$55,156
    84Coats2,3244.6%$230,306$42,566
    85Kenly2,5278.7%$233,536$51,250
    86Wentworth2,6645.2%$225,337$71,806
    87Stoneville1,0526.8%$196,749$50,661
    88Cajah’s Mountain2,7155.1%$215,867$52,133
    89Elizabet3,3040.0%$208,230$24,081
    90Louisburg3,09928.3%$298,160$41,813
    91Edenton4,5126.2%$228,239$46,979
    92Norlina1,1704.7%$148,335$34,550
    93Ramseur1,8772.7%$213,936$32,964
    94Haw River2,8944.4%$209,057$57,404
    95Pilot Mountain1,6674.3%$252,091$42,045
    96Madison2,1857.6%$198,186$51,150
    97Bryson City1,6381.0%$310,770$41,542
    98Bladenboro2,4856.2%$114,238$54,797
    99Navassa1,9765.9%$248,380$50,694
    100Hudson3,7806.2%$235,445$49,761
    About Nick Johnson

    Nick Johnson earned his masters in Business Administration from the Drucker School At Claremont Graduate University. He has written for 39 publications across the country and ran the media relations department at Movoto, a real estate portal based in San Francisco. He has been featured in over 500 publications as an expert in real estate and as an authority on real estate trends.

    Nick's the creator of the HomeSnacks YouTube channel that now has over 260,000 subscribers and is an excellent source to learn about different parts of the country.

    10 thoughts on “The 10 Worst Small Towns In North Carolina For 2024

    1. As a resident outsider to Casar (from Miami, FL) I have to say that whomever (Bud Tapman) wrote this is an idiot and knows nothing about our town. First, our population is 298, not 410. Second, despite the fact that our average median income is under $20,000, there is not one single resident that would ever allow a neighbor to go to bed hungry. We pull together as a community to help one another in one way or another. This town is built on generations of kindness, humility, and hard working people. The folks her have strong roots in faith, love, and compassion. So when you say that we are number three on the your uninformed list of places to live, stay out if you don’t like the type of people I have described.

    2. My husband and I have lived here our entire marriage(43) yrs. In 2005 our home burned to the ground. Neither of is we’re home that day. He is a minister, was in Gastonia that day. I worked for a dermatologist, was off that day at a Dr’s appt. picked my granddaughter up. When I pulled in the fire department was trying to save our hpme. The fire men worked so hard to some actually passed out. Strangers showed up with clothes for us. My sister in law Carol fixed us a meal that night, stayed the night with my mother. Came the next morning to our burnt home and fireman had came back to check on us. Neighbors, strangers brought us money, food and clothes to wear. We lost everything, even a car sitting on the carport. This little town you describe as third came in first that day. It might be small and poor in your estimation but when it comes to a tragedy or needing a helping hand, its number one. Faith, living right, and being a good neighbor is all around us. Rethinking your status of #3 might be in order. No, we are not perfect. Come check is put in person.

    3. This must be another Gay rights Activist writing these articles, who is supported by our Attorney General, Roy Cooper!

    4. Lewiston is not a poor town with a lot of dropouts. There’s 36 teachers, doctors, parents of am NBA star, nurses, and prominent business owners within a 4 mile radius of my childhood home. It’s quiet and most people are related or friends. People need not write about things they truly don’t know.

      1. It very much is a poor town. I could not believe how bad it looks now compared to when I was a teenager. It’s gone downhill.

    5. I love living in Stonewall. Unlike these demographics, I have a job (often more than 3-4!) a college eduation (plus a grad degree!) and am not a criminal. Yes, we have some uneployment here.. but there are MANY retirees who chose to stay in Stonewall.
      SHEESH!

    6. THANK You For all the Great Info, and the Great replies too. Does anyone here happen to know the area or areas of Mt. Airy, NC.? From what im hearing about the drug scene, Andy has left the building. Have considered moving there for the good home prices, but there’s always a minus for a plus, understood, but druggies and violence in my face, ain’t worth it. I may have to redneck it on over to Robbinsville, Lol.

    7. In my view, I feel the article is directed, perhaps unconsciously, but it doesn’t feel unconscious frankly – is directed at predominately white people to warn them of towns that are predominately black. Yes, I do find it frankly offensive and under the banner of white privilege – and I wonder too how many of the towns listed as the “worst” have sizable minority populations.

      I don’t feel we can necessarily take a purely statistical approach and also say in a pejorative sense, that e.g. “Yanceyville” is one of the “worst” towns or the “pits” – and then have links to data that show it has a black majority in terms of residents.

      Maybe the fact there is higher unemployment has also something to do with the reinforcement of negativity in terms of the language chosen to use when describing the statistics? Potential businesses ostensibly review such info – and I find Bud Tapman to be essentially aiding and abetting social and economic racial injustice.

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