Crime
Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.
Employment
Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Schools
The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.
Amenities
The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Cost Of Living
Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.
Oak Ridge is a small-sized city located in the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of 6,979 people. At 77%, the majority of the Oak Ridge population is White; this is followed by 9% Black and 8% Asian. 75% of the people in Oak Ridge (over the age of 15) are married and 43% have kids under the age of eighteen. Knowing that, it’s safe to say that this area could be a great place for other families to lay down roots. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Oak Ridge your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 24 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to figure out if living in Oak Ridge is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before relocating to any new city in North Carolina, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Oak Ridge and in the areas around Oak Ridge is a much easier task.
The livability score in Oak Ridge is 77 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 92nd percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the national average, Oak Ridge ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Oak Ridge has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Oak Ridge scores well for crime (A+), education (A+) and housing (A+) On a more negative note, Oak Ridge does not have favorable grades for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (D-). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
The unemployment rate in Oak Ridge has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.57%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.
Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Oak Ridge have an average test score of 75%, which is well above the US average.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Oak Ridge has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Assuming that Oak Ridge meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Oak Ridge. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Oak Ridge are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Oak Ridge come in at $395,100, which is 151.5% higher than the North Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Oak Ridge, the home price to income ratio is 3.2, which is 3% lower than the North Carolina average.
| Statistic | Oak Ridge | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 24min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 84.4% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 4.8% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.7% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 8.9% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
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