The story of this market
The typical home in Caldwell County, North Carolina sells for about $359,000, or $178 per square foot.
Prices are down 2.3% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 58 days to sell. Over the long run, values in this county have grown 119% since 2000. Last year 12 of 19 neighborhoods saw prices rise, so the story isn't the same street to street. The biggest natural hazard here is ice storm, which FEMA rates relatively high. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,147 a month.
HUD sets the fair market rent for a 2-bedroom at $1,147 a month. FEMA's National Risk Index rates overall hazard risk here as Relatively Moderate.
Price climate
Every year of price change, 2000–2025
0%
2025
Each stripe is one year's median price change across the area's census tracts (FHFA repeat-sales index). Deep blue is a strong gain year, red a falling year. Best: 2022 (+20.3%). Worst: 2011 (-6.7%). Hover to read a year.
Monthly price momentum
Home values since 2015
+2.7%
NC · past 12 months
Freddie Mac House Price Index, single-family homes, monthly through 2026-08. Each line starts at 100 in January 2015, so a reading of 180 means prices are up 80% since then.
Rent benchmark
Fair market rent by size
$1,399
3-bed / month
HUD Fair Market Rents, fiscal 2027, for this county. A typical rent for a modest unit, used to set housing-voucher payments.
Neighborhood price trend
Long-run price trend, 2000–2025
0%
2025 change
FHFA repeat-sales index, median of 19 census tracts in this county (2000 = 100). Bars are each year's median change.
Natural hazard exposure
The area's risk shape
56
Relatively Moderate
FEMA National Risk Index. Each spoke is a hazard ranked nationally, where 100 is the most exposed. Expected annual loss: $25,031,735.
Mortgage activity
Home lending in this county
73.6%
2018 approval rate
| Year | Applications | Loans made | Approval | Investor share | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 3100 | 1577 | 73.6% | 3.4% | $155,000 |
CFPB Home Mortgage Disclosure Act records: every mortgage application reported by lenders for homes in this county. Approval rate is approved ÷ decided (withdrawn and incomplete files excluded). Investor share and home value are the median census tract.
Caldwell County, North Carolina
The Caldwell County housing market is currently experiencing a period of stabilization, with listing prices showing slight year-over-year declines. Inventory levels have increased, providing more options for buyers, while days on market remain consistent with seasonal norms. The market is currently balanced, reflecting broader economic trends in the region.
No ARED distress-ledger coverage for this county yet — the foreclosure ingest rotates the national county directory, and filings appear here once the county's posted notices are read. Key-figure check: median price diverges 25.0% from the nearest retained anchor (prior refresh cycle) — beyond the 12.5% tolerance; an automated validation case is open and the value publishes pending its verdict.
Select a city to expand its ZIP intel reports beneath · 9 cities · 9 ZIP reports
Median prices moved down 2.0% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 54 days on market with 0.0 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
0% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 29.88% of asking — demand is holding steady.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.2% · poverty 13.5% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Deterministic aggregate of 7 researched ZIP reports — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.
Caldwell County, North Carolina — researched county-level history with a deterministic 1 / 3 / 5-year projection
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 10.5%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Each property observation weighs one in its ZIP's deterministic roll-up — property-level records (taxes, scores, permits) never roll individually. Latest property research run Sep 20, 2026.
researched Sep 16
researched Sep 20
researched Oct 8
researched Sep 16
researched Oct 8
researched Oct 8
researched Sep 20
| 28605 | Blowing Rock | $837,500 | $436 | -8.4% | 82 | — | — | — | 162 | $1,112 | researched Sep 16 |
| 28611 | Collettsville | — | — | +12.6% | 55 | — | — | — | 35,859 | — | researched Sep 20 |
| 28630 | Granite Falls | $335,000 | $183 | — | 54 | 100% | — | — | 87 | $1,147 | researched Oct 8 |
| 28638 | Hudson | $320,000 | $215 | +15.1% | 57 | 98.5% | 25.9% | 3.2 | 39 | $711 | researched Sep 16 |
| 28645 | Lenoir | $365,000 | $246 | -2.9% | 54 | — | — | — | 197 | $1,100 | researched Oct 8 |
| 28667 | Rhodhiss | $133,300 | $115 | +2.1% | 85 | 97% | 15% | 6 | 12 | $732 | researched Oct 8 |
| 28671 | Rutherford College | $322,000 | $168 | +2.5% | 45 | 98.5% | 15% | 3 | 12 | $1,250 | researched Sep 20 |
Figures are each ZIP report's own latest research — the county roll-up aggregates them sales_count-weighted (population fallback); ZIPs cycle quarterly.
Caldwell County reports crime rates generally consistent with rural North Carolina averages, with property crime being the primary concern. Local law enforcement maintains active community outreach programs to address regional trends.
The county is served by the Caldwell County Schools district, which maintains a mix of rural and suburban school environments. Performance metrics are generally stable, with ongoing efforts to improve graduation rates and vocational training integration.
The county faces moderate risks from localized flooding in low-lying areas near the Catawba River and occasional severe wind events. Insurance markets remain stable, though premiums are sensitive to national trends in disaster risk assessment.
Economic momentum is driven by a transition from traditional manufacturing to a more diversified base including healthcare, education, and light industrial sectors. Infrastructure improvements along the US-321 corridor continue to support regional connectivity.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (North Carolina) — Tax Lien Attachment: A tax lien attaches to all real property, taking priority over all other liens and encumbrances regardless of when they were created. State (North Carolina) — Ad Valorem Property Tax: Tax is calculated by multiplying the assessed value of the property by the combined state and local tax rate. The formula is: Tax = (Assessed Value / 100) * Tax Rate.
The county offers extensive outdoor recreation, including access to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Wilson Creek, and various public parks. Residents enjoy hiking, fishing, and water sports, which serve as significant local amenities.
The rental market is characterized by limited inventory and steady demand, particularly in the Lenoir area. Rent growth has moderated recently, reflecting broader regional cooling trends.
The economy is anchored by manufacturing, healthcare, and education, with a growing focus on small business development. Major employers include local government, healthcare systems, and regional manufacturing firms.
The county relies primarily on road transportation, with US-321 serving as the main artery connecting to the broader Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metro area.
The Caldwell County Tax Office manages property assessments, conducting periodic revaluations to ensure tax equity across the county.
The county is served by various special districts, including fire protection districts and water/sewer authorities that manage utility infrastructure.
Property insurance remains stable, though homeowners are encouraged to review coverage for flood and wind risks common to the region.
The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this county — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.
A federally designated Wild and Scenic River offering exceptional hiking, fishing, and swimming opportunities.
Features local dining, boutique shopping, and cultural events that serve as the social heart of the county.
Hosts community events, agricultural shows, and regional gatherings throughout the year.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov; figures reflect standard county-level reporting.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
applies when — Applies to parcels where the title holder has created or is subject to recorded easements, restrictions, or conditions.
Imposes binding limitations on the use, development, or maintenance of the parcel as defined in the recorded instrument.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 39-6.4
A tax lien attaches to all real property, taking priority over all other liens and encumbrances regardless of when they were created.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-355
applies when — Applies to parcels governed by a Homeowners' Association (Chapter 47F) or Condominium Association (Chapter 47C) where assessments remain unpaid.
Associations may file a claim of lien and foreclose in a manner similar to a mortgage under power of sale, or through a civil action.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 47F-3-116 and § 47C-3-116
Allows for non-judicial foreclosure, though it requires a hearing before the Clerk of Superior Court to authorize the sale. Borrowers are entitled to a pre-foreclosure notice at least 45 days prior to the filing of a notice of hearing for primary residences.
N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 45, Article 2A and Article 11
Tax is calculated by multiplying the assessed value of the property by the combined state and local tax rate. The formula is: Tax = (Assessed Value / 100) * Tax Rate. Assessment is based on the true value in money, with counties required to conduct revaluations at least every eight years.
N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 105, Article 12 (2025)
Governance registry — every jurisdiction re-researches on a rolling 90-day cycle. Property reports compose these inherited burdens into a per-parcel ledger with conditional determinations. Informational only — not legal advice.