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CITY

East Spencer

North Carolina · 1,650 residents (2025 est.) · 2.452 sq mi
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The short version

East Spencer has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $34,417. Population has fallen 18% since 2000, a loss of 321 residents. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $112,000. With a median age of 51.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 52% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 51.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 7%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,434
−18%since 2000
from 1,755 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
585 / sq mi
−18%since 2000
from 716 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
51.0
+68%since 2000
from 30.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,650 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K2K2K2K1990201020202024East Spencer
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$34,417
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $18,947 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,138
+176%since 2000
from $10,180 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
25.6%
+16.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
26.7%
−9.1 ptssince 2000
from 35.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.509
−5%since 2010
from 0.535 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade17%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance9.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical9.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade9.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services1.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$112,000
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $66,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$677
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $414 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
52.9%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 47.3% in 2000
47.1% rent
Vacancy rate
7.6%
−12.9 ptssince 2009
from 20.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.1%
−15.8 ptssince 2009
from 35.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
60.3%
+9.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.3
−7%since 2000
from 3.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
36
RELATED:See current rent listings in East Spencer on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic10.2%(179)
Black85.8%(1,505)
Hispanic / Latino2.7%(48)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score29.3%(514)
2024
White, non-Hispanic10.4%(149)
Black78.6%(1,127)
Hispanic / Latino8%(115)
Asian0%(0)
Other3%(43)
Diversity Score45.5%(653)
Diversity Score
46
+55%since 2000
from 29 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.9%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.9%
+26.9 ptssince 2000
from 62.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 2.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.8 min
+127%since 2000
from 10.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.8%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 82.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.9%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.7%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% 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
9.7%
−20.1 ptssince 2009
from 29.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.8%
−2.2 ptssince 2011
from 15.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
43.0%
−9.5 ptssince 2011
from 52.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
3.7%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
27.5%
−37.6 ptssince 2009
from 65.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
42.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 42.2% in 2009
Female
57.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 57.8% in 2009
Foreign born
4.5%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.2%
−34.8 ptssince 2009
from 40.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
38.5%
+18.1 ptssince 2012
from 20.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
14.2%
−71.9 ptssince 2013
from 86.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.3%
+48.2 ptssince 2017
from 35.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.0%
+9.2 ptssince 2016
from 84.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.6%
−9.0 ptssince 2016
from 14.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare East Spencer to nearby cities

EAST SPENCER VS
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Income$53,716+56%
Home value$242,500+117%
Population36,879+2135%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EAST SPENCER VS
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Income$43,128+25%
Home value$179,900+61%
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EAST SPENCER VS
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Income$73,836+115%
Home value$276,400+147%
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EAST SPENCER VS
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Income$86,921+153%
Home value$353,700+216%
Population114,598+6845%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in East Spencer, North Carolina?

East Spencer, North Carolina has about 1,434 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in East Spencer, North Carolina?

The typical household in East Spencer, North Carolina earns about $34,417 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is East Spencer, North Carolina expensive?

In East Spencer, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $112,000, and the typical rent is about $677 a month.

How educated are people in East Spencer, North Carolina?

About 11.9% of adults age 25 and over in East Spencer, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in East Spencer, North Carolina?

About 26.7% of people in East Spencer, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has East Spencer, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, East Spencer, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 621 residents, a change of about -30 percent over that period.

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

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