Lenoir County, North Carolina Housing Market
In Lenoir County, North Carolina, the median home value is $120,500, with a median monthly rent of $861. This places Lenoir County at #2629 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #92 within North Carolina.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $1,017
- Establishments: 1,258
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 127
- Multi-family: 4
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 20,894 (avg $55,124)
- Outflow: 19,935 (avg $55,811)
- IRS Statistics of Income
How Lenoir County Compares
| Metric | Lenoir County | North Carolina Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $120,500 | $235,312 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $861 | $976 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 59.2% | 71.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 11.7 | 19.8 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Lenoir County is 48.8% below the North Carolina state average and 47.1% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $861/month is 11.8% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 11.7, buying a home in Lenoir County is generally more favorable than renting for those planning to stay long-term. A ratio below 15 typically signals that purchasing is financially advantageous over a multi-year horizon.
Lenoir County has an owner-occupancy rate of 59.2%, compared to 71.8% in North Carolina and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more renter-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | Alabama | $120,600 | $666 |
| Carlisle County | Kentucky | $120,400 | $792 |
| Morris County | Texas | $120,400 | $859 |
| Russell County | Virginia | $120,600 | $653 |
| Mason County | West Virginia | $120,300 | $671 |
Other Counties in North Carolina
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hertford County | $119,200 | $844 | 67.4% |
| Greene County | $117,400 | $853 | 66.5% |
| Hyde County | $124,000 | $1,263 | 71.9% |
| Edgecombe County | $125,100 | $858 | 60.8% |
| Washington County | $125,900 | $743 | 68.0% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-13. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).