What are the schools like in Locust, NC?

Locust is served primarily by Stanly County Schools. The district operates 11 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 7 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.3:1.

What is the median household income in Locust?

The median household income in Locust, NC is $52,551 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 3.0%.

What is the weather like in Locust, NC?

Locust has an average high temperature of 52.8°F in January and 91.8°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 45.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 3.3 inches.

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

Q: Is Locust, NC affordable or expensive?

Locust's cost of living index is 94, where 100 represents the national average. This means Locust is 6% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $263,700 and the median rent is $833 per month.

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

Crime rate data for Locust is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Locust, NC a Good Place to Live?

Locust is a small town of 4,700 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $52,551 and a 3.0% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is 6% below the national average.

Strengths: Locust stands out for an affordable cost of living, solid school ratings (B-).

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include longer commutes. Whether Locust is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Locust 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: 93.9

Locust's overall cost of living index is 93.9, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Locust costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.

Metric	Locust, NC	National Avg
Median Home Value	$263,700	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$833	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	87.0%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$52,551	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Locust is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Locust is served primarily by Stanly County Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.3:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Locust, NC	National Avg
School District	Stanly County Schools	—
Elementary Schools	11	—
Middle Schools	4	—
High Schools	7	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	15.3:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	19.1%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	87.8%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Locust sees average highs of 52.8°F in January and 91.8°F in July, with 45.3 inches of annual precipitation and 3.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Locust, NC
Average High — January	52.8°F
Average High — July	91.8°F
Annual Precipitation	45.3"
Annual Snowfall	3.3"

Demographics

Metric	Locust, NC	National Avg
Population	4,700	—
Median Age	40.4	38.9
Unemployment Rate	3.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	30.4 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	94.9%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	2.5%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	23.1%	22.2%
65 and over	19.8%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Stanfield, NC 2 mi Red Cross, NC 4 mi Midland, NC 5 mi Oakboro, NC 6 mi Mount Pleasant, NC 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Locust

Locust, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code:

28097

Locust vs Other Cities

Locust, NC vs Stanfield, NC Locust, NC vs Red Cross, NC Locust, NC vs Midland, NC Locust, NC vs Oakboro, NC Locust, NC vs Mount Pleasant, NC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Locust, NC affordable or expensive?

Locust's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average. That makes Locust roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $263,700 and median rent is $833/month.

What is the crime rate in Locust, NC?

Crime data for Locust is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Locust?

Public schools in Locust are operated by Stanly County Schools. The district has 11 elementary, 4 middle, and 7 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.3:1. 19.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Locust, NC a good place to live?

Locust, NC has a population of 4,700, a median household income of $52,551, and an unemployment rate of 3.0%. 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 Locust?

Locust averages 52.8°F in January and 91.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.3 inches with about 3.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Locust?

Locust, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 28097.

What is the population of Locust?

The population of Locust, North Carolina is 4,700 with a median age of 40.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Locust?

Key numbers for living in Locust: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $263,700, median household income $52,551, schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Locust side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.