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CITY · 2020 ACS

Bessemer City

North Carolina · 5,428 residents · 5.643 sq mi
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The short version

Bessemer City has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $39,055. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $110,200. Households here earn about 31% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
9% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,428
+6%since 2000
from 5,119 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
962 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 907 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.2
+23%since 2000
from 33.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K5K6K1990201020202024Bessemer City
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,055
−23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,826 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,028
+19%since 2000
from $15,971 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
21.9%
+6.8 ptssince 2009
from 15.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
13.3%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 11.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information24.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade20.4%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance9.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade9%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical6.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Education & health services2.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$110,200
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$813
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $459 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
62.2%
−4.0 ptssince 2000
from 66.2% in 2000
37.8% rent
Afford Score
2.8
+32%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bessemer City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic81.5%(4,173)
Black13.1%(671)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(179)
Asian0.6%(30)
Other0%
Diversity Score37.4%(1,914)
2020
White, non-Hispanic72.1%(3,915)
Black15.8%(855)
Hispanic / Latino6.4%(350)
Asian0.6%(30)
Other1%(55)
Diversity Score50.3%(2,732)
Diversity Score
50
+35%since 2000
from 37 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
8.9%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 7.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
75.3%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 68.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 2.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.1 min
+36%since 2000
from 15.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.1%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 89.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.2%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
−17.0 ptssince 2011
from 22.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.5%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 62.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
13.4%
−36.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.8%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Female
54.2%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Foreign born
2.6%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
17.4%
−58.3 ptssince 2013
from 75.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Bessemer City to nearby cities

BESSEMER CITY VS
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Income$49,564+27%
Home value$204,100+85%
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BESSEMER CITY VS
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BESSEMER CITY VS
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BESSEMER CITY VS
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Home value$395,000+258%
Population16,415+181%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Bessemer City, North Carolina?

Bessemer City, North Carolina has about 5,428 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Bessemer City, North Carolina?

The typical household in Bessemer City, North Carolina earns about $39,055 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bessemer City, North Carolina expensive?

In Bessemer City, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $110,200, and the typical rent is about $813 a month.

How educated are people in Bessemer City, North Carolina?

About 8.9% of adults age 25 and over in Bessemer City, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bessemer City, North Carolina?

About 13.3% of people in Bessemer City, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bessemer City, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Bessemer City, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 730 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.

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

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