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CITY

Catawba

North Carolina · 736 residents (2025 est.) · 4.637 sq mi
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The short version

Catawba has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,250. Population has declined 10% since 2000. 11% 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 $163,000. The poverty rate of 21.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 35% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% 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
628
−10%since 2000
from 698 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
135 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 151 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
35.8
−6%since 2000
from 37.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:736 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4265025796557321990201020202024Catawba
2024628
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,250
−38%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $42,031 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,543
+51%since 2000
from $20,933 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
29.0%
+12.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
21.4%
+12.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.571
+20%since 2010
from 0.477 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade17.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Information14.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance14.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical14.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services1.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$163,000
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $78,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,118
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $602 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
71.3%
−7.5 ptssince 2000
from 78.9% in 2000
28.7% rent
Vacancy rate
16.5%
+8.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.9%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 22.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
9.6%
−22.1 ptssince 2009
from 31.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.4
+84%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
24
RELATED:See current rent listings in Catawba on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic62%(433)
Black30.2%(211)
Hispanic / Latino5.6%(39)
Asian1%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score63.7%(444)
2024
White, non-Hispanic70.4%(442)
Black18.8%(118)
Hispanic / Latino8.8%(55)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.1%(13)
Diversity Score57.7%(362)
Diversity Score
58
−9%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2000
from 12.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
79.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 78.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.4%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.2 min
+94%since 2000
from 15.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
88.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 89.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.4%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% 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
1.2%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.7%
−9.3 ptssince 2011
from 16.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.1%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 60.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.6%
+6.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.5%
−21.3 ptssince 2009
from 58.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
58.0%
+12.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.0% in 2009
Female
42.0%
−12.0 ptssince 2009
from 54.0% in 2009
Foreign born
1.9%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.8%
−38.3 ptssince 2009
from 41.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2012
from 10.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
26.0%
−57.0 ptssince 2013
from 83.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.6%
+35.2 ptssince 2017
from 61.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.2%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 97.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.8%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 2.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Catawba, North Carolina?

Catawba, North Carolina has about 628 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Catawba, North Carolina earns about $47,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Catawba, North Carolina expensive?

In Catawba, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $163,000, and the typical rent is about $1,118 a month.

How educated are people in Catawba, North Carolina?

About 11.1% of adults age 25 and over in Catawba, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Catawba, North Carolina?

About 21.4% of people in Catawba, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Catawba, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Catawba, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 177 residents, a change of about 39 percent over that period.

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

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