Old Fort is a small town of 658 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $41,125
and a 5.6% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Old Fort stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Old Fort is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Old Fort 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: 88.6
Old Fort's overall cost of living index is 88.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Old Fort costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Old Fort, NC
National Avg
Median Home Value
$111,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$734
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
57.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$41,125
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Old Fort's violent crime rate is 190.1 per 100,000 residents
— 50% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
190.1 /100k
Property Crime
1997.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Old Fort is served primarily by McDowell County Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Old Fort, NC
National Avg
School District
McDowell County Schools
—
Elementary Schools
8
—
Middle Schools
3
—
High Schools
4
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
21.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
95.9%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Old Fort sees average highs of 49.5°F in January
and 84.8°F in July,
with 53.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 2.1 inches of snow per year.
Old Fort's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Old Fort roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $111,800 and median rent is $734/month.
Old Fort's violent crime rate is 190.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1997.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Old Fort are operated by McDowell County Schools.
The district has 8 elementary, 3 middle, and 4 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.2:1. 21.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Old Fort, NC has a population of 658, a median household income of $41,125, and an unemployment rate of 5.6%.
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.
Old Fort averages 49.5°F in January and 84.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 53.7 inches
with about 2.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Old Fort, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 28762.
The population of Old Fort, North Carolina is 658 with a median age of 52.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Old Fort: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $111,800, median household income $41,125, crime index 68 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Old Fort side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
