Another Key to Salisbury, N.C.’s Struggles with Economic Development: Per Capita Income

Steve Mensing, Editor/RFP Research

♦ Is anyone is still wondering why businesses and retail avoid setting up shop in Salisbury, N.C. and why economic development appears at a standstill? Consider the “disturbing demographics” piling up telephone poles across Salisbury’s economic development tracks. In a decade’s slow tumble Salisbury is now rubbing shoulders among North Carolina’s most bottom rung cities. The key factors:

• High Crime (Both violent and property)

• Soaring Poverty. (25% of folks living in Salisbury dwell below the poverty line)

• Poorly Performing Public Education. (Every school in Salisbury got “D” on the State Education report card except Salisbury High that got a “C”)

• Lacking Required Disposable Income. (The area is not a good candidate for buying goods and services)

Very often when people scout out locations for possible businesses, industries, and retail, they eye the city or town’s per captita income. It gives an impressionistic sketch of what the area’s disposable income might resemble.

According to U.S. Census Bureau Data, the per capita income in Salisbury from 2009-13 was a meager $18,557, and it isn’t getting any better. The State’s average per capita income is over 36% higher (at $25,284) than the per capita income of Salisbury. Salisbury’s per capita income: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/3758860.html

Concord the per capita income is $25,897, which exceeds the State average of $25,284: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/3714100.html

Lumberton has a higher per capita income than Salisbury, at $18,918. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/3739700.html

Burlington, at $23,127: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/3709060.html

Fayetteville, at $23,409: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/3722920.html

Kannapolis, at $20,482:http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/3735200.html

Kinston, at $18,930:http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/3735920.html

Mocksville, at $21,807: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/3743720.html

Mooresville, at $26,392:http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/3744220.html

Oxford, at $21,306: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/3749800.html

Sanford, at $20,497: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/3759280.html

Shelby, at $19,793: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/3761200.html

Statesville, at $20,803:http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/3764740.html