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Hemby HouseWeddington, #1 on this list · Photo: Dclemens1971 · CC BY 4.0
North Carolina rankings · Jobs & income

Best towns for jobs & income in North Carolina

Weddington ranks first on jobs & income among North Carolina’s 290 towns of 2,500+; 62 of the 290 grade A− or better on jobs & income nationally.

The Jobs & income grade: household income, poverty, unemployment (Census ACS) and jobs within a 45-minute drive (EPA). How grades work

#1

Weddington

Union County · 14,517 people
A+

Jobs & income grade, better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #21 of 286 in NC

#2

Jamestown

Guilford County · 3,803 people
A+

Jobs & income grade, better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #37 of 286 in NC

All 290 towns

Jobs & income grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank (T = tied; 77 towns here); the overall grade and state rank are beside each.

290 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.

#TownGradeOverall
1WeddingtonUnion County · 14,517 peopleA+better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #21 of 286
2JamestownGuilford County · 3,803 peopleA+better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #37 of 286
3Avery Creekunincorporated, Buncombe County · 2,887 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #3 of 286
4MatthewsMecklenburg County · 32,769 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #107 of 286
5Oak RidgeGuilford County · 7,896 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #38 of 286
T6FairviewUnion County · 3,805 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #18 of 286
T6HarrisburgCabarrus County · 20,742 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #12 of 286
8MorrisvilleWake County · 32,466 peopleA+better than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #34 of 286
9HuntersvilleMecklenburg County · 68,535 peopleAbetter than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #45 of 286
10WendellWake County · 19,687 peopleAbetter than 94% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #19 of 286
11ApexWake County · 80,419 peopleAbetter than 94% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #5 of 286
12RolesvilleWake County · 12,839 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #1 of 286
T13CorneliusMecklenburg County · 35,094 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #32 of 286
T13MidlandCabarrus County · 5,151 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #26 of 286
15Chapel HillOrange County · 63,565 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #46 of 286
16SummerfieldGuilford County · 11,327 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #54 of 286
17Ogdenunincorporated, New Hanover County · 8,249 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #64 of 286
18Lake Norman of Iredellunincorporated, Iredell County · 12,494 peopleAbetter than 91% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #33 of 286
19CaryWake County · 183,582 peopleAbetter than 91% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #11 of 286
20StokesdaleGuilford County · 6,133 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #43 of 286
21Lowesvilleunincorporated, Lincoln County · 3,874 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #4 of 286
22Wesley ChapelUnion County · 9,566 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #47 of 286
23Holly SpringsWake County · 50,288 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #17 of 286
T24Royal Pinesunincorporated, Buncombe County · 4,325 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #29 of 286
T24SwepsonvilleAlamance County · 2,632 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #60 of 286
T26Mineral SpringsUnion County · 3,514 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #13 of 286
T26Red OakNash County · 3,523 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #67 of 286
28Mills RiverHenderson County · 7,504 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #40 of 286
29KnightdaleWake County · 23,144 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #66 of 286
T30Bayshoreunincorporated, New Hanover County · 2,949 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #62 of 286
T30Wake ForestWake County · 58,147 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #24 of 286
32MarvinUnion County · 7,040 peopleAbetter than 85% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #25 of 286
33DavidsonMecklenburg County · 16,662 peopleA−better than 85% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #10 of 286
34WaxhawUnion County · 23,140 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #9 of 286
T35Bermuda RunDavie County · 3,323 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #82 of 286
T35MidwayDavidson County · 5,104 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #20 of 286
37StallingsUnion County · 17,760 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #14 of 286
38GibsonvilleGuilford County · 9,876 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #63 of 286
39LewisvilleForsyth County · 14,421 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #95 of 286
40Myrtle Groveunincorporated, New Hanover County · 12,637 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #44 of 286
41Trent WoodsCraven County · 4,070 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #87 of 286
42Pleasant GardenGuilford County · 5,165 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #99 of 286
43Holly RidgeOnslow County · 5,908 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #39 of 286
44WeavervilleBuncombe County · 4,790 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #114 of 286
45Valley Hillunincorporated, Henderson County · 2,675 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #61 of 286
46CarrboroOrange County · 20,962 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #57 of 286
47CramertonGaston County · 5,713 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #96 of 286
48Indian TrailUnion County · 44,303 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #31 of 286
49WallburgDavidson County · 3,255 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #27 of 286
T50BelmontGaston County · 16,415 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #140 of 286
T50Mint HillMecklenburg County · 29,476 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #58 of 286
52Nags HeadDare County · 3,117 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #89 of 286
53TroutmanIredell County · 4,336 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #119 of 286
54ClaytonJohnston County · 32,633 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #72 of 286
55Whispering PinesMoore County · 5,505 peopleA−better than 77% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #15 of 286
56Forest Oaksunincorporated, Guilford County · 4,293 peopleA−better than 77% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #41 of 286
57Fuquay-VarinaWake County · 48,536 peopleA−better than 77% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #6 of 286
58Brices Creekunincorporated, Craven County · 3,415 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #136 of 286
T59ArchdaleRandolph County · 12,254 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #91 of 286
T59Briar Chapelunincorporated, Chatham County · 6,049 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #35 of 286
61Lake Norman of Catawbaunincorporated, Catawba County · 9,906 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #90 of 286
62Lake Royaleunincorporated, Franklin County · 3,168 peopleA−better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #98 of 286
63Barbecue5,910 peopleB+better than 75% of U.S. towns·No overall grade
64HillsboroughOrange County · 9,778 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #159 of 286
65Mountain Homeunincorporated, Henderson County · 3,437 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #76 of 286
66ElonAlamance County · 11,366 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #49 of 286
67ClemmonsForsyth County · 22,808 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #123 of 286
68Westportunincorporated, Lincoln County · 5,915 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #52 of 286
69SouthportBrunswick County · 4,434 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #85 of 286
70LandisRowan County · 3,885 peopleB+better than 71% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #121 of 286
71WalkertownForsyth County · 6,120 peopleB+better than 71% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #176 of 286
72MooresvilleIredell County · 55,842 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #101 of 286
T73Emerald IsleCarteret County · 3,970 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #102 of 286
T73UnionvilleUnion County · 7,322 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #22 of 286
75Archer LodgeJohnston County · 5,649 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #28 of 286
76PinehurstMoore County · 18,670 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #23 of 286
T77FletcherHenderson County · 8,373 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #48 of 286
T77KingStokes County · 7,977 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #109 of 286
79MebaneAlamance County · 21,952 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #195 of 286
T80RanloGaston County · 4,848 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #79 of 286
T80TobaccovilleForsyth County · 2,770 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #71 of 286
82LelandBrunswick County · 35,731 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #104 of 286
83Sunset BeachBrunswick County · 4,642 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #56 of 286
84Lake ParkUnion County · 3,609 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #50 of 286
T85DurhamDurham County · 305,561 peopleB+better than 65% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #179 of 286
T85TrinityRandolph County · 7,274 peopleB+better than 65% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #112 of 286
87Moyockunincorporated, Currituck County · 5,684 peopleBbetter than 65% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #75 of 286
88RaleighWake County · 506,306 peopleBbetter than 64% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #80 of 286
89CharlotteMecklenburg County · 964,784 peopleBbetter than 64% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #165 of 286
90KernersvilleForsyth County · 29,128 peopleBbetter than 64% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #207 of 286
91PittsboroChatham County · 5,054 peopleBbetter than 64% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #127 of 286
92Spout Springsunincorporated, Harnett County · 11,242 peopleBbetter than 63% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #149 of 286
93Murraysvilleunincorporated, New Hanover County · 16,339 peopleBbetter than 63% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #77 of 286
94Wrightsborounincorporated, New Hanover County · 6,287 peopleBbetter than 63% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #68 of 286
95LocustStanly County · 6,120 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #105 of 286
96Mount HollyGaston County · 19,033 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #148 of 286
97Seven Lakesunincorporated, Moore County · 4,535 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #7 of 286
T98Black MountainBuncombe County · 8,491 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #51 of 286
T98LillingtonHarnett County · 5,040 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #197 of 286
T100ConcordCabarrus County · 114,598 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #59 of 286
T100Half Moonunincorporated, Onslow County · 7,378 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #73 of 286
102Porters Neckunincorporated, New Hanover County · 7,654 peopleBbetter than 61% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #118 of 286
103Bethlehemunincorporated, Alexander County · 4,101 peopleBbetter than 61% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #65 of 286
104BelvilleBrunswick County · 3,199 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #169 of 286
105Welcomeunincorporated, Davidson County · 3,521 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #88 of 286
106Enochvilleunincorporated, Rowan County · 3,321 peopleBbetter than 59% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #143 of 286
107Flat RockHenderson County · 3,643 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #69 of 286
108GarnerWake County · 41,562 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #103 of 286
109StanleyGaston County · 4,237 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #130 of 286
110St. JamesBrunswick County · 7,318 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #94 of 286
111Boiling SpringsCleveland County · 4,799 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #86 of 286
112WoodfinBuncombe County · 8,229 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #111 of 286
T113KannapolisCabarrus County · 61,708 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #125 of 286
T113Surf CityPender County · 5,142 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #154 of 286
115SwansboroOnslow County · 4,174 peopleB−better than 55% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #117 of 286
116Glen Ravenunincorporated, Alamance County · 3,506 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #168 of 286
117St. Stephensunincorporated, Catawba County · 9,457 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #106 of 286
118Southern ShoresDare County · 3,110 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #30 of 286
119Carolina ShoresBrunswick County · 5,540 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #146 of 286
120CantonHaywood County · 4,418 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #53 of 286
T121Oak IslandBrunswick County · 9,337 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #145 of 286
T121WingateUnion County · 4,628 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #2 of 286
123ShallotteBrunswick County · 5,335 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #234 of 286
124AberdeenMoore County · 10,066 peopleB−better than 51% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #92 of 286
125MonroeUnion County · 42,644 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #188 of 286
T126Silver Lakeunincorporated, New Hanover County · 6,563 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #129 of 286
T126WintervillePitt County · 10,973 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #132 of 286
T128Carolina BeachNew Hanover County · 6,870 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #151 of 286
T128PinevilleMecklenburg County · 11,851 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #199 of 286
T130Kings Grantunincorporated, New Hanover County · 9,003 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #133 of 286
T130Long ViewCatawba County · 5,387 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #81 of 286
132DallasGaston County · 6,392 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #144 of 286
133MaidenCatawba County · 3,922 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #42 of 286
134Elroyunincorporated, Wayne County · 3,251 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #229 of 286
135CherryvilleGaston County · 6,523 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #135 of 286
T136ConoverCatawba County · 8,938 peopleB−better than 47% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #126 of 286
T136ZebulonWake County · 11,933 peopleB−better than 47% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #122 of 286
138BensonJohnston County · 4,660 peopleB−better than 47% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #166 of 286
139CarthageMoore County · 3,070 peopleB−better than 47% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #8 of 286
T140River BendCraven County · 2,890 peopleB−better than 47% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #211 of 286
T140Sneads Ferryunincorporated, Onslow County · 2,728 peopleB−better than 47% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #177 of 286
142AshevilleBuncombe County · 93,523 peopleB−better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #164 of 286
T143Etowahunincorporated, Henderson County · 7,968 peopleB−better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #110 of 286
T143Southern PinesMoore County · 17,357 peopleB−better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #128 of 286
145Tyrounincorporated, Davidson County · 3,833 peopleC+better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #70 of 286
146Kitty HawkDare County · 3,670 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #97 of 286
147Neuse Forestunincorporated, Craven County · 2,671 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #74 of 286
148HickoryCatawba County · 45,975 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #200 of 286
149WilmingtonNew Hanover County · 126,809 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #192 of 286
150LowellGaston County · 3,939 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #160 of 286
151Hampsteadunincorporated, Pender County · 9,292 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #113 of 286
152James Cityunincorporated, Craven County · 4,789 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #139 of 286
153ErwinHarnett County · 4,956 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #232 of 286
154High PointGuilford County · 120,571 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #206 of 286
155WaynesvilleHaywood County · 11,006 peopleC+better than 41% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #183 of 286
156Boiling Spring LakesBrunswick County · 6,875 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #167 of 286
157ThomasvilleDavidson County · 27,733 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #131 of 286
158RandlemanRandolph County · 4,767 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #223 of 286
159GreensboroGuilford County · 308,667 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #215 of 286
160Rockfishunincorporated, Hoke County · 3,574 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #202 of 286
161HendersonvilleHenderson County · 15,867 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #182 of 286
162EastoverCumberland County · 3,743 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #198 of 286
163ButnerGranville County · 8,112 peopleC+better than 39% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #228 of 286
164Mountain Viewunincorporated, Catawba County · 3,982 peopleC+better than 39% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #83 of 286
165GastoniaGaston County · 87,067 peopleC+better than 39% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #237 of 286
166Granite QuarryRowan County · 3,129 peopleC+better than 39% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #134 of 286
167WentworthRockingham County · 2,774 peopleC+better than 38% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #78 of 286
168HudsonCaldwell County · 3,786 peopleC+better than 38% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #124 of 286
169Emmaunincorporated, Buncombe County · 2,657 peopleC+better than 37% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #16 of 286
170SpencerRowan County · 3,450 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #162 of 286
171Buies Creek College campusunincorporated, Harnett County · 3,746 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall C
172Fairfield Harbourunincorporated, Craven County · 2,948 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #190 of 286
173Edneyvilleunincorporated, Henderson County · 2,716 peopleC+better than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #120 of 286
174Kill Devil HillsDare County · 7,731 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #93 of 286
175Winston-SalemForsyth County · 257,271 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #243 of 286
176NewtonCatawba County · 13,822 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #161 of 286
T177Morehead CityCarteret County · 10,434 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #194 of 286
T177SawmillsCaldwell County · 5,105 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #158 of 286
179East Flat Rockunincorporated, Henderson County · 6,323 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #55 of 286
180Lake Junaluskaunincorporated, Haywood County · 3,175 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #84 of 286
181Bessemer CityGaston County · 5,834 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #193 of 286
182AngierHarnett County · 9,410 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #172 of 286
183Piney Greenunincorporated, Onslow County · 14,078 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #181 of 286
184FarmvillePitt County · 4,577 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #272 of 286
185Anderson Creekunincorporated, Harnett County · 13,927 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #220 of 286
T186CreedmoorGranville County · 5,046 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #185 of 286
T186FranklinMacon County · 4,403 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #142 of 286
T186Skippers Cornerunincorporated, New Hanover County · 3,792 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #173 of 286
189GreenvillePitt County · 96,443 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #242 of 286
190AsheboroRandolph County · 27,990 peopleCbetter than 29% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #233 of 286
191Rural HallForsyth County · 3,607 peopleCbetter than 29% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #153 of 286
192BurlingtonAlamance County · 61,496 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #249 of 286
T193DunnHarnett County · 8,814 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #210 of 286
T193Hope MillsCumberland County · 18,324 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #227 of 286
T195MocksvilleDavie County · 6,282 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #116 of 286
T195ShelbyCleveland County · 23,309 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #254 of 286
197MayodanRockingham County · 2,503 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #212 of 286
198New BernCraven County · 34,724 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #230 of 286
199GrahamAlamance County · 20,131 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #222 of 286
200Mar-Macunincorporated, Wayne County · 2,877 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #201 of 286
T201LincolntonLincoln County · 12,465 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #157 of 286
T201TroyMontgomery County · 3,020 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #150 of 286
203BrevardTransylvania County · 8,098 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #137 of 286
204SanfordLee County · 34,138 peopleCbetter than 25% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #246 of 286
205China GroveRowan County · 4,650 peopleCbetter than 25% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #171 of 286
206RaefordHoke County · 4,703 peopleCbetter than 25% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #178 of 286
207Spring LakeCumberland County · 11,252 peopleC−better than 25% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #224 of 286
208LenoirCaldwell County · 18,372 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #203 of 286
209ValdeseBurke County · 4,712 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #115 of 286
210WarsawDuplin County · 2,853 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #244 of 286
211ElizabethtownBladen County · 3,306 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #273 of 286
212FayettevilleCumberland County · 209,120 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #245 of 286
213Green LevelAlamance County · 3,409 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #239 of 286
214MorgantonBurke County · 17,849 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #216 of 286
T215Four OaksJohnston County · 2,978 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #100 of 286
T215TarboroEdgecombe County · 10,979 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #269 of 286
217EdentonChowan County · 4,546 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #252 of 286
218JacksonvilleOnslow County · 72,732 peopleC−better than 21% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #170 of 286
219SalisburyRowan County · 36,879 peopleC−better than 21% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #248 of 286
220Swannanoaunincorporated, Buncombe County · 6,901 peopleC−better than 21% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #36 of 286
221NashvilleNash County · 5,911 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #236 of 286
222WashingtonBeaufort County · 9,910 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #266 of 286
T223Granite FallsCaldwell County · 4,964 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #174 of 286
T223StatesvilleIredell County · 32,181 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #189 of 286
225HavelockCraven County · 17,430 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #191 of 286
226River Roadunincorporated, Beaufort County · 3,366 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #256 of 286
227MarshvilleUnion County · 2,739 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #156 of 286
228NewportCarteret County · 4,500 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #152 of 286
229LexingtonDavidson County · 20,238 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #221 of 286
T230East Rockinghamunincorporated, Richmond County · 2,779 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #278 of 286
T230WilkesboroWilkes County · 3,618 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #209 of 286
232Mount AirySurry County · 10,682 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #214 of 286
233SelmaJohnston County · 7,406 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #180 of 286
234NorwoodStanly County · 2,568 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #213 of 286
235ElkinSurry County · 4,130 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #226 of 286
236WhitevilleColumbus County · 4,765 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #270 of 286
237RutherfordtonRutherford County · 3,723 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #263 of 286
238Kings MountainCleveland County · 12,117 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #253 of 286
239CalabashBrunswick County · 3,069 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #184 of 286
240Danaunincorporated, Henderson County · 4,147 peopleC−better than 17% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #138 of 286
241BeaufortCarteret County · 4,912 peopleC−better than 17% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #175 of 286
T242Boone College campusWatauga County · 19,929 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall B−
T242LibertyRandolph County · 2,739 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #217 of 286
T244Rocky MountNash County · 55,120 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #267 of 286
T244WilsonWilson County · 49,572 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #264 of 286
T246FranklintonFranklin County · 2,890 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #141 of 286
T246Wilson's MillsJohnston County · 2,987 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #108 of 286
248Northchaseunincorporated, New Hanover County · 5,896 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #208 of 286
249Elizabeth CityPasquotank County · 19,622 peopleDbetter than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #258 of 286
250Cajah's MountainCaldwell County · 2,702 peopleDbetter than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #155 of 286
251ReidsvilleRockingham County · 14,692 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #219 of 286
252North WilkesboroWilkes County · 4,369 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #187 of 286
253YadkinvilleYadkin County · 3,055 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #147 of 286
254LumbertonRobeson County · 18,955 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #285 of 286
255Siler CityChatham County · 8,155 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #163 of 286
256MarionMcDowell County · 7,440 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #205 of 286
257GoldsboroWayne County · 35,012 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #277 of 286
258SmithfieldJohnston County · 13,114 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #186 of 286
259ClintonSampson County · 8,466 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #271 of 286
260AydenPitt County · 5,263 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #251 of 286
261GamewellCaldwell County · 3,713 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #204 of 286
262AlbemarleStanly County · 17,769 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #231 of 286
263Roanoke RapidsHalifax County · 14,386 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #276 of 286
T264BurgawPender County · 3,903 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #196 of 286
T264Cullowhee College campusunincorporated, Jackson County · 7,973 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall C+
266OxfordGranville County · 8,985 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #260 of 286
267Mount OliveWayne County · 4,521 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #255 of 286
268EdenRockingham County · 15,500 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #240 of 286
269SylvaJackson County · 2,691 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #241 of 286
T270KinstonLenoir County · 19,705 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #281 of 286
T270PembrokeRobeson County · 2,888 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #283 of 286
272HamletRichmond County · 5,870 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #247 of 286
273Brogdenunincorporated, Wayne County · 2,733 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #268 of 286
274HendersonVance County · 15,013 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #280 of 286
275WindsorBertie County · 3,469 peopleDbetter than 5% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #238 of 286
T276La GrangeLenoir County · 2,947 peopleDbetter than 5% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #261 of 286
T276Red SpringsRobeson County · 3,216 peopleDbetter than 5% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #274 of 286
278Forest CityRutherford County · 7,410 peopleD−better than 5% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #259 of 286
279WadesboroAnson County · 5,035 peopleD−better than 5% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #257 of 286
T280SpindaleRutherford County · 4,180 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #218 of 286
T280WallaceDuplin County · 3,570 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #275 of 286
282LaurinburgScotland County · 14,582 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #282 of 286
283RockinghamRichmond County · 8,815 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #265 of 286
284LouisburgFranklin County · 3,480 peopleD−better than 3% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #235 of 286
285GriftonPitt County · 2,539 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #250 of 286
286WilliamstonMartin County · 5,086 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #279 of 286
T287AhoskieHertford County · 4,608 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #284 of 286
T287RoxboroPerson County · 8,380 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #225 of 286
289Tabor CityColumbus County · 3,886 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D− · #262 of 286
290PlymouthWashington County · 3,170 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D− · #286 of 286
Quick answers

Questions people ask

Which North Carolina town is best for jobs and income?

Weddington (Union County) ranks first on jobs & income among 290 towns, with an A+; Jamestown and Avery Creek follow.

How are these towns ranked?

The Jobs & income grade: household income, poverty, unemployment (Census ACS) and jobs within a 45-minute drive (EPA). Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.

Why isn’t my town on this list?

The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a jobs & income grade (290 in North Carolina). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the North Carolina page.

Go deeper

More North Carolina lists

Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.

All North Carolina rankings →
Best places to live286 towns · #1 RolesvilleBest small towns188 towns · #1 WingateMost affordable towns290 towns · #1 EmmaSafest towns163 towns · #1 Whispering PinesTowns with the best schools290 towns · #1 Carrboro and Chapel HillHealthiest towns289 towns · #1 MorrisvilleMost walkable towns290 towns · #1 Chapel HillTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk290 towns · #1 NewtonBest towns for the outdoors290 towns · #1 Nags HeadMost historic towns290 towns · #1 EdentonTowns with the most civic life234 towns · #1 AshevilleTowns with the least snow215 towns · #1 Anderson CreekDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns215 towns · #1 BooneDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters287 towns · #1 SouthportDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers287 towns · #1 LaurinburgDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers287 towns · #1 BooneDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes290 towns · #1 MarvinDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes290 towns · #1 EmmaDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns227 towns · #1 WendellDescribed, no letters
Other states

Best towns for jobs & income in other states

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