What are the schools like in Richlands, NC?

Richlands is served primarily by Onslow County Schools. The district operates 22 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, and 8 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.7:1.

What is the median household income in Richlands?

The median household income in Richlands, NC is $59,333 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 13.6%.

What is the weather like in Richlands, NC?

Richlands has an average high temperature of 54.3°F in January and 89.9°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 55.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 2.5 inches.

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

Q: Is Richlands, NC affordable or expensive?

Richlands's cost of living index is 92, where 100 represents the national average. This means Richlands is 8% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $196,100 and the median rent is $926 per month.

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

Richlands has a violent crime rate of 81.4 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1139.6 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Richlands, NC a Good Place to Live?

Richlands is a small town of 2,577 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $59,333 and a 13.6% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is 8% below the national average.

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

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

All Richlands 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: 91.6

Richlands's overall cost of living index is 91.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Richlands costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.

Metric	Richlands, NC	National Avg
Median Home Value	$196,100	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$926	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	65.2%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$59,333	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Richlands's violent crime rate is 81.4 per 100,000 residents — 79% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

81.4 /100k

Property Crime

1139.6 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Richlands is served primarily by Onslow County Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.7:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Richlands, NC	National Avg
School District	Onslow County Schools	—
Elementary Schools	22	—
Middle Schools	8	—
High Schools	8	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	15.7:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	26.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	90.7%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Richlands sees average highs of 54.3°F in January and 89.9°F in July, with 55.5 inches of annual precipitation and 2.5 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Richlands, NC
Average High — January	54.3°F
Average High — July	89.9°F
Annual Precipitation	55.5"
Annual Snowfall	2.5"

Demographics

Metric	Richlands, NC	National Avg
Population	2,577	—
Median Age	28.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	13.6%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	36.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	77.1%	59.3%
Black or African American	15.6%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.9%	18.9%
Asian	0.7%	6.3%
Under 18	33.4%	22.2%
65 and over	7.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Half Moon, NC 7 mi Potters Hill, NC 10 mi Pumpkin Center, NC 13 mi Beulaville, NC 13 mi Jacksonville, NC 15 mi

ZIP Codes in Richlands

Richlands, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code:

28574

Richlands vs Other Cities

Richlands, NC vs Half Moon, NC Richlands, NC vs Potters Hill, NC Richlands, NC vs Pumpkin Center, NC Richlands, NC vs Beulaville, NC Richlands, NC vs Jacksonville, NC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Richlands, NC affordable or expensive?

Richlands's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average. That makes Richlands roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $196,100 and median rent is $926/month.

What is the crime rate in Richlands, NC?

Richlands's violent crime rate is 81.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1139.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Richlands?

Public schools in Richlands are operated by Onslow County Schools. The district has 22 elementary, 8 middle, and 8 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.7:1. 26.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Richlands, NC a good place to live?

Richlands, NC has a population of 2,577, a median household income of $59,333, and an unemployment rate of 13.6%. 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.

What is the weather like in Richlands?

Richlands averages 54.3°F in January and 89.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 55.5 inches with about 2.5 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Richlands?

Richlands, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 28574.

What is the population of Richlands?

The population of Richlands, North Carolina is 2,577 with a median age of 28.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Richlands?

Key numbers for living in Richlands: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $196,100, median household income $59,333, crime index 35 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Richlands side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.