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CITY

Cooleemee

North Carolina · 1,002 residents (2025 est.) · 0.752 sq mi
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The short version

Cooleemee has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $46,750. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 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 $144,600. 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 35.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
988
+9%since 2000
from 905 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,314 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 1,203 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
35.4
−12%since 2000
from 40.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,002 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7218088959821K1990201020202024Cooleemee
2024988
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,750
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,833 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,884
+51%since 2000
from $17,148 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
32.8%
+14.1 ptssince 2009
from 18.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 12.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.376
−14%since 2010
from 0.435 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade18.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade9.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services7.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance7.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services1.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$144,600
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$968
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $450 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
74.9%
−3.4 ptssince 2000
from 78.3% in 2000
25.1% rent
Vacancy rate
18.1%
+9.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.5%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
59.8%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 56.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.1
+49%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
68
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cooleemee on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.6%(811)
Black5.4%(49)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(37)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score22.2%(201)
2024
White, non-Hispanic68.2%(674)
Black11.4%(113)
Hispanic / Latino6.4%(63)
Asian0%(0)
Other14%(138)
Diversity Score62.2%(615)
Diversity Score
62
+180%since 2000
from 22 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.4%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 7.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.1%
+21.1 ptssince 2000
from 71.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.6 min
+99%since 2000
from 14.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.4%
−10.4 ptssince 2009
from 87.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.6%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.4%
+1.4 ptssince 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
6.7%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
−13.5 ptssince 2011
from 18.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
66.1%
+10.2 ptssince 2011
from 56.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.9%
+12.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.4%
−27.8 ptssince 2009
from 56.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
Female
51.6%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.3% in 2009
Foreign born
3.2%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.7%
−40.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
25.3%
+2.5 ptssince 2012
from 22.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
13.8%
−64.1 ptssince 2013
from 77.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.9%
+17.5 ptssince 2017
from 70.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
90.7%
−3.3 ptssince 2016
from 94.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 5.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Cooleemee, North Carolina?

Cooleemee, North Carolina has about 988 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Cooleemee, North Carolina earns about $46,750 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cooleemee, North Carolina expensive?

In Cooleemee, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $144,600, and the typical rent is about $968 a month.

How educated are people in Cooleemee, North Carolina?

About 15.4% of adults age 25 and over in Cooleemee, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cooleemee, North Carolina?

About 10.6% of people in Cooleemee, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cooleemee, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Cooleemee, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 17 residents, a change of about 2 percent over that period.

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

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