Henderson is a small city of 14,997 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $37,670
and a 6.7% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Henderson stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Henderson is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Henderson 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: 89.2
Henderson's overall cost of living index is 89.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Henderson costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Henderson, NC
National Avg
Median Home Value
$108,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$807
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
37.0%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$37,670
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Henderson's violent crime rate is 1791.6 per 100,000 residents
— 371% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
1791.6 /100k
Property Crime
5800.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Henderson is served primarily by Vance County Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.2:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Henderson, NC
National Avg
School District
Vance County Schools
—
Elementary Schools
10
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
4
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
17.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
82.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Henderson sees average highs of 50.6°F in January
and 90.1°F in July,
with 48.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 1.6 inches of snow per year.
Henderson's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Henderson roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $108,700 and median rent is $807/month.
Henderson's violent crime rate is 1791.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 5800.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Henderson are operated by Vance County Schools.
The district has 10 elementary, 2 middle, and 4 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.2:1. 17.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Henderson, NC has a population of 14,997, a median household income of $37,670, and an unemployment rate of 6.7%.
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.
Henderson averages 50.6°F in January and 90.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 48.6 inches
with about 1.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Henderson, NC is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 27536, 27537.
The population of Henderson, North Carolina is 14,997 with a median age of 35.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Henderson: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $108,700, median household income $37,670, crime index 393 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Henderson side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
