Crime
This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.
Employment
With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Ratings
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Amenities
The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Cost Of Living
This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.
Health & Safety
Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.
Southern Shores, North Carolina is a small-sized city with a population of 3,012 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (91% White). Given that fact, Southern Shores could be considered less diverse than other cities. Southern Shores is considered to be a city with an aging population. The average age of all residents is 59, which is well beyond the United States median age average. Southern Shores is known to be family friendly as more than 76% of the population has already tied the knot. It might also be worth noting that 23% of residents also have children under the age of 18. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Southern Shores your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 28 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Southern Shores could be a positive experience compared to other cities in North Carolina if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Southern Shores and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the North Carolina and national averages.
Southern Shores, NC receives 65 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #270 in North Carolina and #11,887 in the USA. Based on the grades for each individual category, Southern Shores has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A+), employment (A+) and housing (A). Unfortunately for Southern Shores, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).
Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 32 crimes per 100,000 residents, Southern Shores has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Southern Shores excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Southern Shores. 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 Southern Shores are affordable. The median home price for Southern Shores homes is $876,447, which is 202.8% higher than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Southern Shores, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.6, which is 36.6% higher than the North Carolina average.
| Statistic | Southern Shores | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 28min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 79.9% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 4.6% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.5% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.0% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 13.4% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
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