What are the schools like in Norwood, NC?

Norwood 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 Norwood?

The median household income in Norwood, NC is $55,897 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 5.1%.

What is the weather like in Norwood, NC?

Norwood has an average high temperature of 50.9°F in January and 88.6°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 48.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 0.8 inches.

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

Q: Is Norwood, NC affordable or expensive?

Norwood's cost of living index is 91, where 100 represents the national average. This means Norwood is 9% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $146,900 and the median rent is $817 per month.

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

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

Is Norwood, NC a Good Place to Live?

Norwood is a small town of 2,906 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $55,897 and a 5.1% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is 9% below the national average.

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

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

All Norwood 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: 90.8

Norwood's overall cost of living index is 90.8, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Norwood costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.

Metric	Norwood, NC	National Avg
Median Home Value	$146,900	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$817	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	64.1%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$55,897	$74,755

Crime & Safety

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

Schools & Education

Norwood 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	Norwood, 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	18.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	86.4%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Norwood sees average highs of 50.9°F in January and 88.6°F in July, with 48.3 inches of annual precipitation and 0.8 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Norwood, NC
Average High — January	50.9°F
Average High — July	88.6°F
Annual Precipitation	48.3"
Annual Snowfall	0.8"

Demographics

Metric	Norwood, NC	National Avg
Population	2,906	—
Median Age	40.8	38.9
Unemployment Rate	5.1%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	27.4 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	67.8%	59.3%
Black or African American	24.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.9%	18.9%
Asian	5.4%	6.3%
Under 18	17.1%	22.2%
65 and over	13.2%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Mount Gilead, NC 6 mi Aquadale, NC 6 mi Ansonville, NC 9 mi Albemarle, NC 10 mi Badin, NC 12 mi

ZIP Codes in Norwood

Norwood, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code:

28128

Norwood vs Other Cities

Norwood, NC vs Mount Gilead, NC Norwood, NC vs Aquadale, NC Norwood, NC vs Ansonville, NC Norwood, NC vs Albemarle, NC Norwood, NC vs Badin, NC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Norwood, NC affordable or expensive?

Norwood's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average. That makes Norwood roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $146,900 and median rent is $817/month.

What is the crime rate in Norwood, NC?

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

What are the schools like in Norwood?

Public schools in Norwood 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. 18.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Norwood, NC a good place to live?

Norwood, NC has a population of 2,906, a median household income of $55,897, and an unemployment rate of 5.1%. 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 Norwood?

Norwood averages 50.9°F in January and 88.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 48.3 inches with about 0.8 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Norwood?

Norwood, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 28128.

What is the population of Norwood?

The population of Norwood, North Carolina is 2,906 with a median age of 40.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Norwood?

Key numbers for living in Norwood: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $146,900, median household income $55,897, schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Norwood side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.