Carrboro 78 Exceptional
Carrboro Livability #26 ranked city in North Carolina#2,157 ranked city in the USARanks better than 92% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Carrboro

PROS
  • Commute

    High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.

  • Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Schools

    High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

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What's it like Living in Carrboro?

Carrboro, North Carolina is a moderately-sized city with a population of 21,254 people. Carrboro has a population density of 3,282 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. The majority of Carrboro residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. Carrboro tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 33 is far below the national average. Carrboro is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 50% married, this city falls well below the national average. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Carrboro is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 24 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Carrboro is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before moving to any new city in North Carolina, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. The best areas in Carrboro and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, commute, health & safety, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the North Carolina and national averages.

Carrboro has a livability score of 76 out of 100 and is ranked #32 in North Carolina and #2,697 in the USA. Based on this score, Carrboro would be considered a very livable city! Carrboro is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. For each of the livability categories, we see that Carrboro ranks very well for education (A-) and employment (A-). There are some categories that Carrboro ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

The unemployment rate in Carrboro has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.58%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Carrboro have an average test score of 67%, which is well above the US average.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Carrboro. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Carrboro are affordable. The median home price for Carrboro homes is $386,900, which is 146.3% higher than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Carrboro, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.7, which is 72.7% higher than the North Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Carrboro

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Carrboro?

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Compare Carrboro, NC Livability

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      Carrboro transportation information

      Statistic Carrboro North Carolina National
      Average one way commute24min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work58.2%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.2%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit11.9%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle6.2%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home13.4%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Carrboro, NC data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).