What are the schools like in Marshall, NC?

Marshall is served primarily by Madison County Schools. The district operates 3 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 3 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.2:1.

What is the median household income in Marshall?

The median household income in Marshall, NC is $49,712 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 1.4%.

What is the weather like in Marshall, NC?

Marshall has an average high temperature of 46.5°F in January and 85.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 41.6 inches and annual snowfall averages 25.6 inches.

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

Q: Is Marshall, NC affordable or expensive?

Marshall's cost of living index is 96, where 100 represents the national average. This means Marshall is 4% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $228,400 and the median rent is $558 per month.

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

Marshall has a violent crime rate of 46.0 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 551.6 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Marshall, NC a Good Place to Live?

Marshall is a small town of 616 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $49,712 and a 1.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 96 (US average = 100), which is 4% below the national average.

Strengths: Marshall stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+).

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Marshall is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Marshall 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: 96.1

Marshall's overall cost of living index is 96.1, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Marshall costs roughly 4% less than the average American city.

Metric	Marshall, NC	National Avg
Median Home Value	$228,400	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$558	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	60.4%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$49,712	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Marshall's violent crime rate is 46.0 per 100,000 residents — 88% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

46.0 /100k

Property Crime

551.6 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Marshall is served primarily by Madison County Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.2:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Marshall, NC	National Avg
School District	Madison County Schools	—
Elementary Schools	3	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	3	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	12.2:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	29.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	75.6%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Marshall sees average highs of 46.5°F in January and 85.1°F in July, with 41.6 inches of annual precipitation and 25.6 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Marshall, NC
Average High — January	46.5°F
Average High — July	85.1°F
Annual Precipitation	41.6"
Annual Snowfall	25.6"

Demographics

Metric	Marshall, NC	National Avg
Population	616	—
Median Age	41.8	38.9
Unemployment Rate	1.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	27.0 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	89.9%	59.3%
Black or African American	2.1%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.6%	18.9%
Asian	2.8%	6.3%
Under 18	13.0%	22.2%
65 and over	19.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Mars Hill, NC 8 mi Weaverville, NC 10 mi Hot Springs, NC 11 mi Woodfin, NC 12 mi Barnardsville, NC 13 mi

ZIP Codes in Marshall

Marshall, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code:

28753

Marshall vs Other Cities

Marshall, NC vs Mars Hill, NC Marshall, NC vs Weaverville, NC Marshall, NC vs Hot Springs, NC Marshall, NC vs Woodfin, NC Marshall, NC vs Barnardsville, NC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Marshall, NC affordable or expensive?

Marshall's cost of living index is 96, where 100 is the national average. That makes Marshall roughly 4% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $228,400 and median rent is $558/month.

What is the crime rate in Marshall, NC?

Marshall's violent crime rate is 46.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 551.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Marshall?

Public schools in Marshall are operated by Madison County Schools. The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.2:1. 29.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Marshall, NC a good place to live?

Marshall, NC has a population of 616, a median household income of $49,712, and an unemployment rate of 1.4%. 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 Marshall?

Marshall averages 46.5°F in January and 85.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 41.6 inches with about 25.6 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Marshall?

Marshall, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 28753.

What is the population of Marshall?

The population of Marshall, North Carolina is 616 with a median age of 41.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Marshall?

Key numbers for living in Marshall: cost of living index 96 (100 = US average), median home $228,400, median household income $49,712, crime index 18 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Marshall side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.