Signals
Hayesville
Independence
Opportunity
52 · Bottom 40%
vs62 · Top 38%
Climate
74 · Top 35%
vs74 · Top 35%
Physical resilience
42 · Bottom 33%
vs43 · Bottom 33%
Housing affordability
45 · Bottom 7%
vs71 · Bottom 36%
Access
72 · Bottom 14%
vs69 · Bottom 11%
Economic stability
47 · Bottom 27%
vs67 · Top 36%
Measured values
| Metric | Hayesville | Independence | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,246 | 10,199 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $58,624 | $85,375 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $25,956 | $31,794 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 7,113/sq mi | 3,394/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $365,400 | $378,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,435 | $1,665 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 47.1% | 54.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1% | 5.2% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 1.4% | 1.4% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 27.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 23.7% | 12.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 84°F | 84°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 36°F | 36°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 40.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 46 mi | 51 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 29.3 min | 27.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 32.2 | 30.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Hayesville
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, heat wave.
Independence
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, heat wave.
Your best match
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Hayesville
55
Your Score
—
Area Score
Independence
59
Your Score
57
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Hayesville, OR · Independence, OR · How this is calculated: methodology