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CITY

Elm City

North Carolina · 1,250 residents (2025 est.) · 2.151 sq mi
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The short version

Elm City has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $36,150. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 11% 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 $109,300. The poverty rate of 33.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 50% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.1
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
1,292
+11%since 2000
from 1,165 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
601 / sq mi
+11%since 2000
from 542 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.1
+6%since 2000
from 40.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,250 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K2K2K1990201020202024Elm City
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,150
−27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,188 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,689
+68%since 2000
from $13,533 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
15.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
33.7%
+19.0 ptssince 2000
from 14.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.447
+7%since 2010
from 0.419 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade39.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance9.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical9.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Information3.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Public administration1.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
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
$109,300
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$859
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $367 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
58.1%
−16.4 ptssince 2000
from 74.5% in 2000
41.9% rent
Vacancy rate
12.3%
−9.2 ptssince 2009
from 21.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
29.5%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 36.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.0%
−13.7 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+32%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
21
RELATED:See current rent listings in Elm City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic42.9%(500)
Black53.6%(624)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(30)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score64.9%(756)
2024
White, non-Hispanic25.2%(326)
Black73.3%(947)
Hispanic / Latino1%(13)
Asian0%(0)
Other0.5%(6)
Diversity Score49.9%(644)
Diversity Score
50
−23%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 10.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
86.3%
+19.5 ptssince 2000
from 66.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.0%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 1.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.9 min
+122%since 2000
from 12.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.5%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 86.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.3%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.2%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% 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
7.8%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.8%
−12.1 ptssince 2011
from 21.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.8%
−8.5 ptssince 2011
from 62.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
4.3%
−7.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
20.2%
−45.2 ptssince 2009
from 65.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
51.5%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
0.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.9%
−42.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.2%
−11.9 ptssince 2012
from 25.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.3%
−67.3 ptssince 2013
from 70.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.9%
+28.5 ptssince 2017
from 61.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+15.1 ptssince 2016
from 84.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−14.5 ptssince 2016
from 14.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Elm City to nearby cities

ELM CITY VS
Wilson
Income$52,485+45%
Home value$210,700+93%
Population49,572+3866%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ELM CITY VS
Rocky Mount
Income$55,534+54%
Home value$165,700+52%
Population55,120+4310%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ELM CITY VS
Tarboro
Income$49,796+38%
Home value$185,500+70%
Population10,979+778%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ELM CITY VS
Zebulon
Income$79,112+119%
Home value$320,700+193%
Population11,933+855%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Elm City, North Carolina?

Elm City, North Carolina has about 1,292 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Elm City, North Carolina earns about $36,150 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Elm City, North Carolina expensive?

In Elm City, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $109,300, and the typical rent is about $859 a month.

How educated are people in Elm City, North Carolina?

About 10.7% of adults age 25 and over in Elm City, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 33.7% of people in Elm City, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Elm City, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Elm City, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 314 residents, a change of about -20 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →