The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 28681 sells for about $272,000, or $185 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.93% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 39 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $736 a month.
ZIP 28681 — Taylorsville
The Taylorsville housing market is currently balanced with a median price of $272,000 and a moderate pace of sales. While the area offers affordability compared to larger metros, high vacancy rates and a high price-to-rent ratio suggest a cautious outlook for investors. Market activity remains steady, driven by local demand and the broader economic stability of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton region.
This ZIP is best suited for local families and those seeking a rural lifestyle, as the high price-to-rent ratio and vacancy levels present challenges for pure investment buyers.
Median prices moved up 2.9% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 39 days on market with 6.0 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 5.1% · poverty 12.2% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 8.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
in-migration and out-migration balanced
ZCTA 28681, Alexander County NC
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Schools are served by the Alexander County Schools district, with Alexander Central High School serving as the primary secondary institution for the area.
The area maintains a rural economic base with momentum tied to the broader Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton MSA, though development remains modest.
Property taxes are assessed at the Alexander County level; specific rates are determined by the county's annual budget and tax levy requirements.
Residents primarily rely on personal vehicles for commuting, with access to regional employment hubs in Hickory via Highway 64/90.
The area features access to rural outdoor recreation, including proximity to local parks and the natural landscape of the Brushy Mountains.
The rental market shows high vacancy rates near 15.1%, suggesting a supply-demand imbalance that may challenge investors seeking immediate cash flow.
The local economy is anchored by manufacturing and agricultural sectors within the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton MSA.
Transportation is primarily highway-dependent, with US Highway 64/90 serving as the main arterial corridor.
Development is largely focused on low-density residential expansion and small-scale commercial growth.
The Alexander County Tax Office manages property assessments and tax collections for all parcels within the county.
Parcels are subject to Alexander County property taxes and the Alexander County Schools district levies.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional hazard profiles typical of the North Carolina foothills.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA profiles.
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.
Provides scenic views and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Local community space for recreation and events.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.