How many renters in Elkin, NC pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Elkin, NC, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

61.1% (±16.3 points) of renting households in Elkin, NC spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

52.2% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 38.1% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 61.1% (±16.3 points)
Paying 35% or more: 52.2% (±14.5 points)
Median share of income: 38.1% (±11.9 points)

Rent as a share of income in Elkin

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Elkin	Surry County	North Carolina	United States
Less than 15%	21.6% (±11.9 points)	18.9%	14.1%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	0.0% (±6.7 points)	14.9%	12.6%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	6.8% (±6.0 points)	10.6%	13.2%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	10.4% (±7.0 points)	12.3%	11.3%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	8.9% (±7.5 points)	8.8%	9.3%	9.2%
35% or more	52.2% (±14.5 points)	34.5%	39.6%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Elkin against Surry County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Elkin	Surry County	North Carolina	United States
Paying 30% or more	61.1% (±16.3 points)	43.3% (±5.5 points)	48.9% (±0.6 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	52.2% (±14.5 points)	34.5% (±4.7 points)	39.6% (±0.5 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	38.1% (±11.9 points)	27.3% (±1.9 points)	29.5% (±0.2 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$27,558 (±$8,442)	$32,551 (±$3,606)	$48,010 (±$418)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$807 (±$79)	$761 (±$23)	$1,228 (±$5)	$1,413

In Elkin, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is higher than in Surry County (43.3%).

It is not measurably different from North Carolina (48.9%).

It is not measurably different from the national figure (51.1%).

In Surry County, Elkin ranks 1 of 5 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.

Statewide, it ranks 170 of 650.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Elkin

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Elkin
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Elkin	—	61.1% (±16.3 points)	—
Jonesville	2.1 mi	59.4% (±24.4 points)	Not measurably different
Ronda	6.1 mi	64.7% (±89.6 points)	Not measurably different
Boonville	7.9 mi	55.3% (±26.0 points)	Not measurably different
Dobson	11 mi	42.2% (±17.7 points)	Not measurably different
Yadkinville	14 mi	44.6% (±14.9 points)	Not measurably different
Hays	15 mi	100.0% (±116.3 points)	Not measurably different
North Wilkesboro	17 mi	43.3% (±20.1 points)	Not measurably different
Fairplains	18 mi	40.8% (±26.5 points)	Not measurably different

None of the nearby places differs measurably from this one on this figure.

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Renters paying 30% or more of income across Surry County, place by place

Rank	Place	Renters paying 30% or more of income
1	Elkin	61.1% (±16.3 points)
2	Flat Rock (community)	61.0% (±57.1 points)
3	Mount Airy	46.8% (±10.1 points)
4	Dobson	42.2% (±17.7 points)
5	Pilot Mountain	33.8% (±15.6 points)

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Elkin

Are renters in Elkin rent-burdened?

61.1% of renting households in Elkin pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Elkin spend on rent?

The median renting household in Elkin, NC spends 38.1% (±11.9 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Elkin town, North Carolina (place:20620, in state:37).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.