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CITY

Bailey

North Carolina · 593 residents (2025 est.) · 0.702 sq mi
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The short version

Bailey has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $60,208. Population has fallen 37% since 2000, a loss of 248 residents. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $155,700. With a median age of 47.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 47.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
422
−37%since 2000
from 670 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
601 / sq mi
−37%since 2000
from 954 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
47.4
+25%since 2000
from 37.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:593 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3794906017118221990201020202024Bailey
2024422
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$60,208
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,328 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,979
+14%since 2000
from $21,910 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
40.5%
+22.1 ptssince 2009
from 18.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.8%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.317
−19%since 2010
from 0.391 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade19.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade16.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information14.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Arts, entertainment, food4.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$155,700
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$814
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $408 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
58.3%
−14.7 ptssince 2000
from 73.0% in 2000
41.7% rent
Vacancy rate
31.8%
+15.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.9%
−11.0 ptssince 2009
from 29.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
16.2%
−17.8 ptssince 2009
from 34.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.6
+16%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
56
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bailey on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic66.4%(445)
Black22.4%(150)
Hispanic / Latino10.7%(72)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score61.6%(413)
2024
White, non-Hispanic49.1%(207)
Black17.1%(72)
Hispanic / Latino26.3%(111)
Asian5.9%(25)
Other1.7%(7)
Diversity Score82.2%(347)
Diversity Score
82
+33%since 2000
from 62 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.8%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
76.5%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 73.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.5 min
+44%since 2000
from 18.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
87.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 84.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.4%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.4%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.1%
−10.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.5%
−8.6 ptssince 2011
from 11.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
46.4%
−21.5 ptssince 2011
from 67.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.7%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
24.5%
−37.1 ptssince 2009
from 61.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.0%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
Female
50.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
Foreign born
13.7%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
12.2%
−33.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2012
from 16.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
26.8%
−60.0 ptssince 2013
from 86.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
81.6%
+8.2 ptssince 2017
from 73.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
70.6%
−20.0 ptssince 2016
from 90.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
23.2%
+14.7 ptssince 2016
from 8.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Bailey to nearby cities

BAILEY VS
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Income$52,485−13%
Home value$210,700+35%
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BAILEY VS
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Income$79,112+31%
Home value$320,700+106%
Population11,933+1912%
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BAILEY VS
Wendell
Income$95,787+59%
Home value$330,500+112%
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BAILEY VS
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Income$78,822+31%
Home value$329,600+112%
Population32,633+5403%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Bailey, North Carolina?

Bailey, North Carolina has about 422 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Bailey, North Carolina?

The typical household in Bailey, North Carolina earns about $60,208 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bailey, North Carolina expensive?

In Bailey, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $155,700, and the typical rent is about $814 a month.

How educated are people in Bailey, North Carolina?

About 14.8% of adults age 25 and over in Bailey, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bailey, North Carolina?

About 17.8% of people in Bailey, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bailey, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Bailey, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 121 residents, a change of about -22 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Bailey, North Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy