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3 North Carolina Cities Named Top 5 Least Risky For Small Business Owners

With great risk comes the potential for great reward. This is especially true when it comes to starting a business and being your own boss. You take on the entirety…

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With great risk comes the potential for great reward. This is especially true when it comes to starting a business and being your own boss. You take on the entirety of the financial risk, but you have the potential to make a substantial amount of money. It's not always about just taking the risk, but more so a calculated risk. And if you're debating taking the risk of opening your own business one of the biggest decisions involves the where. And if you're considering North Carolina as a place to open your small business that's likely a good decision. Our friends at Forbe's Advisor recently shared with us a study on the "Least Risky Cities For Small Businesses".  And not one, not two, but three North Carolina cities are in the top five "Least Risky Cities For Small Businesses".

So which cities? Coming in at number three (behind Plano, TX- 1st, and Laredo, TX- 2nd) is Raleigh. This ranking was elevated by Raleigh’s low property crime rate (22 crimes per 1,000 residents) and positive rates of economic growth (3.4%).  Raleigh is also experiencing population growth at a rate of 2.64%. And a growing number of potential customers is always helpful when starting a business!

Taking the number four spot for the least risky city to run a business is Durham. The city does have a slightly higher property crime rate (35 crimes per 1,000 residents) as well as a lower median household income- $71,343 per year. It's still a wonderful place to own a business. And you can easily get a customer base from nearby Raleigh as well.

Rounding out the top 5 is Charlotte. The Queen City ranked as the 5th least-risky city to run a small business. This ranking was fueled by strong GPD and population growth at a rate of 2.5% and 2.58% respectively. Each North Carolina city benefited from a low corporate income tax rate of 2.5%. And while it's not good for workers, having the minimum wage at just $7.25 does keep costs low for employers. However you'll have a hard time hiring any workforce at that rate, and certainly not a competent dedicated one.

Thanks to our friends at Forbes Advisor for sharing this research with us. You can read more on this study where 3 North Carolina cities were included in the top 5 least risky places to start a small business here.

This Is Where The Money Is – The Richest Cities And Towns In North Carolina

What are the richest cities and towns in North Carolina? There is a lot of money in the state between the major cities, the mountains, the coast, and in between. The financial experts at Forbes recently conducted an analysis to determine the richest places in the state of North Carolina.  To do this they looked at over 400 cities aka census-designated places in NC. Cities were ranked on four metrics including median household income, mean household income, median home value, and median property taxes paid.

So which cities made the cut? There are several cities that are around a major lake. As well as some on the coast and the mountains in the top 5. Below you'll find detailed info about each of the top 5 cities and towns that are the richest places in North Carolina in 2023 according to Forbes. You'll also find info on the other cities that made the top 50 list that are in the vicinity of Charlotte.

If you live in any of these cities and towns and have some extra cash to share just let me know! Looking for more detailed information? You can get that directly from Forbes and can read more here.

Curious about the richest cities in South Carolina? You can find those here (hint it's a lot of coastal towns)

40. Huntersville

Total  Household: 22,351

Median Household Income: $102,335

Mean Household Income: $129,418

I'm actually a little surprised Huntersville didn't rank higher on this list. The town on the southern end of Lake Norman is home to shopping areas like Birkdale Village and is growing rapidly.

37. Lake Norman of Catawba

Total  Households: 3,459

Median Household Income: $89,004

Mean Household Income: $135,356

The Catawba side of Lake Norman is the second location on this list to be situated at "the lake". Lake Norman of Catawba is on the western side of the lake just north of Denver.

32. Cornelius

Total  Household: 12,913

Median Household Income: $95,147

Mean Household Income: $147,864

Staying at the lake this time the charming town of Cornelius.  You'll find it just north of Huntersville right off I-77.

31. Harrisburg

Total  Household: 5,171

Median Household Income: $124,716

Mean Household Income: $130,724

Harrisburg is located in Cabarrus County North Carolina right on the border with Mecklenburg. The town is celebrating its 50th anniversary this fall.

29. Wesley Chapel

Total  Household: 2,707

Median Household Income: $124,716

Mean Household Income: $145,122

Wesley Chapel is a village located in Union County, NC.

24. Waxhaw

Total  Household: 5,930

Median Household Income: $123,370

Mean Household Income: $142,610

Staying in Union County next on this list is Waxhaw. Downtown is quaint and full of restaurants you're sure to love.

10. Davidson

Total  Household: 5,292

Median Household Income: $141,845

Mean Household Income: $183,102

The town of  of Davidson is a small college town about 20 miles north of Charlotte.

8. Weddington

Total  Households: 4,179

Median Household Income: $152,377

Mean Household Income: $194,027

Union County is no stranger to this list, and Weddington makes the top 10 but it's not the highest ranking town from the county.

6. Lake Norman of Iredell

Total  Household: 4,248

Median Household Income: $162,143

Mean Household Income: $224,096

Now we hop to the other side of Lake Norman to Iredell County. Guess there is  a little more money on the northeast side.

5. Bald Head Island

Total  Households: 89

Median Household Income: $121,458

Mean Household Income: $205,078

Bald Head Island only has 89 year-round residents, but it still ranks 5th on the list.

4. Marvin

Total  Households: 1,815

Median Household Income: $221,350

Mean Household Income: $255, 494

The highest ranking Union County town is Marvin. Marvin is a village that is recognized as a Community Wildlife Habitat.

3. Governors Club

Total  Households: 858

Median Household Income: $195,682

Mean Household Income: $274,104

Governor's Club is a neighborhood in Chapel Hill with panoramic views of the lake & golf course.

2. Grandfather Village

Total  Household: 36

Median Household Income: $173,750

Mean Household Income: $329,828

Grandfather is a village in Avery County named after Grandfather Mountain. It's a fully gated community within Grandfather Golf and Country Club.

1. Biltmore Forest

Total  Household:

Median Household Income:

Mean Household Income:

Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.