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CITY

Bolton

North Carolina · 448 residents (2025 est.) · 3.196 sq mi
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The short version

Bolton has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,450. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 7% 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 $146,700. The poverty rate of 24.6% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 33% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
7% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 34%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
504
+2%since 2000
from 494 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
158 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 155 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.3
+1%since 2000
from 37.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:448 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4365356357358341990201020202024Bolton
2024504
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,450
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,596 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,728
+51%since 2000
from $12,400 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
27.3%
+14.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
24.6%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 22.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.432
−11%since 2010
from 0.487 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services9.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration9.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Information6.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Transportation & warehousing3.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Retail trade2.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade2%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance1.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$146,700
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
81.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 81.3% in 2000
18.2% rent
Vacancy rate
20.3%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.0%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 23.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
26.7%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 33.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+39%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
65
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bolton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic31.6%(156)
Black63.6%(314)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(6)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score57.4%(284)
2024
White, non-Hispanic18.8%(95)
Black56.3%(284)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian2.8%(14)
Other22%(111)
Diversity Score74.7%(377)
Diversity Score
75
+30%since 2000
from 57 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.0%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.8%
+33.2 ptssince 2000
from 64.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.6%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 0.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.8 min
+74%since 2000
from 18.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
55.4%
−39.6 ptssince 2009
from 95.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
40.5%
+38.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.1%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% 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
4.8%
−10.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
28.2%
+21.0 ptssince 2011
from 7.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
50.5%
+8.2 ptssince 2011
from 42.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
6.8%
−8.6 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
34.5%
−22.6 ptssince 2009
from 57.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
48.0%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
2.8%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.1%
−45.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.9%
−8.1 ptssince 2012
from 23.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.3%
−69.7 ptssince 2013
from 81.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.6%
+43.0 ptssince 2017
from 40.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2016
from 95.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−2.3 ptssince 2016
from 2.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Bolton to nearby cities

BOLTON VS
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Income$91,977+90%
Home value$398,900+172%
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BOLTON VS
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Home value$383,800+162%
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BOLTON VS
Kings Grant
Income$62,232+28%
Home value$300,700+105%
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BOLTON VS
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Income$81,167+68%
Home value$320,700+119%
Population16,339+3547%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Bolton, North Carolina?

Bolton, North Carolina has about 504 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Bolton, North Carolina earns about $48,450 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bolton, North Carolina expensive?

In Bolton, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $146,700.

How educated are people in Bolton, North Carolina?

About 7.0% of adults age 25 and over in Bolton, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bolton, North Carolina?

About 24.6% of people in Bolton, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bolton, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Bolton, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 57 residents, a change of about -10 percent over that period.

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

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