What are the schools like in Hamlet, NC?

Hamlet is served primarily by Richmond County Schools. The district operates 7 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 4 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.4:1.

What is the median household income in Hamlet?

The median household income in Hamlet, NC is $34,798 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 10.6%.

What is the weather like in Hamlet, NC?

Hamlet has an average high temperature of 54.4°F in January and 92.0°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 49.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 0.5 inches.

Hamlet, NC Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Hamlet, NC affordable or expensive?

Hamlet's cost of living index is 84, where 100 represents the national average. This means Hamlet is 16% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $97,600 and the median rent is $429 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Hamlet, NC?

Hamlet has a violent crime rate of 658.1 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 3078.4 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Hamlet, NC a Good Place to Live?

Hamlet is a small town of 6,043 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $34,798 and a 10.6% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 84 (US average = 100), which is 16% below the national average.

Strengths: Hamlet stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Hamlet is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Hamlet city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 83.6

Hamlet's overall cost of living index is 83.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Hamlet costs roughly 16% less than the average American city.

Metric	Hamlet, NC	National Avg
Median Home Value	$97,600	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$429	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	56.0%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$34,798	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Higher than Average

Hamlet's violent crime rate is 658.1 per 100,000 residents — 73% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

658.1 /100k

Property Crime

3078.4 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Hamlet is served primarily by Richmond County Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.4:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Hamlet, NC	National Avg
School District	Richmond County Schools	—
Elementary Schools	7	—
Middle Schools	4	—
High Schools	4	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	17.4:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	8.4%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	84.9%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Hamlet sees average highs of 54.4°F in January and 92.0°F in July, with 49.5 inches of annual precipitation and 0.5 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Hamlet, NC
Average High — January	54.4°F
Average High — July	92.0°F
Annual Precipitation	49.5"
Annual Snowfall	0.5"

Demographics

Metric	Hamlet, NC	National Avg
Population	6,043	—
Median Age	37.3	38.9
Unemployment Rate	10.6%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	21.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	52.3%	59.3%
Black or African American	45.2%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.6%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	26.0%	22.2%
65 and over	17.5%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Dobbins Heights, NC 2 mi East Rockingham, NC 3 mi Rockingham, NC 4 mi Cordova, NC 6 mi Roberdel, NC 7 mi

ZIP Codes in Hamlet

Hamlet, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code:

28345

Hamlet vs Other Cities

Hamlet, NC vs Dobbins Heights, NC Hamlet, NC vs East Rockingham, NC Hamlet, NC vs Rockingham, NC Hamlet, NC vs Cordova, NC Hamlet, NC vs Roberdel, NC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hamlet, NC affordable or expensive?

Hamlet's cost of living index is 84, where 100 is the national average. That makes Hamlet roughly 16% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $97,600 and median rent is $429/month.

What is the crime rate in Hamlet, NC?

Hamlet's violent crime rate is 658.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3078.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Hamlet?

Public schools in Hamlet are operated by Richmond County Schools. The district has 7 elementary, 4 middle, and 4 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.4:1. 8.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Hamlet, NC a good place to live?

Hamlet, NC has a population of 6,043, a median household income of $34,798, and an unemployment rate of 10.6%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Hamlet?

Hamlet averages 54.4°F in January and 92.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 49.5 inches with about 0.5 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Hamlet?

Hamlet, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 28345.

What is the population of Hamlet?

The population of Hamlet, North Carolina is 6,043 with a median age of 37.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Hamlet?

Key numbers for living in Hamlet: cost of living index 84 (100 = US average), median home $97,600, median household income $34,798, crime index 163 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Hamlet side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.