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CITY · 2020 ACS

Elm City

North Carolina · 1,218 residents · 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 $37,721. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $84,200. With a median age of 44.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 33% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 44.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 10%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,218
+5%since 2000
from 1,165 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
566 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 542 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.8
+10%since 2000
from 40.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K2K2K1990201020202024Elm City
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,721
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,188 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,957
+33%since 2000
from $13,533 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
19.7%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
26.5%
+11.8 ptssince 2000
from 14.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade29.9%
US avg: 10%
Information9.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing4.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services2.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$84,200
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$671
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $367 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
64.2%
−10.3 ptssince 2000
from 74.5% in 2000
35.8% rent
Afford Score
2.2
−2%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic32.8%(400)
Black53.3%(649)
Hispanic / Latino7.7%(94)
Asian2.2%(27)
Other2.2%(26)
Diversity Score73.4%(893)
Diversity Score
73
+13%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.7%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 10.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
80.4%
+13.6 ptssince 2000
from 66.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.1%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 1.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.0 min
+99%since 2000
from 12.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.0%
−7.4 ptssince 2009
from 86.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.6%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
15.1%
−5.9 ptssince 2011
from 21.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
41.9%
−20.4 ptssince 2011
from 62.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
20.3%
−45.1 ptssince 2009
from 65.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.8%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
46.2%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
6.5%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.9%
−58.7 ptssince 2013
from 70.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Elm City

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Pop 1,296
Ocklawaha
Pop 1,586
Allentown
Pop 955
Archer
Pop 1,159
Places similar to Elm City
Head to head

Compare Elm City to nearby cities

ELM CITY VS
Wilson
Income$52,485+39%
Home value$210,700+150%
Population49,572+3866%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ELM CITY VS
Rocky Mount
Income$55,534+47%
Home value$165,700+97%
Population55,120+4310%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ELM CITY VS
Tarboro
Income$49,796+32%
Home value$185,500+120%
Population10,979+778%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ELM CITY VS
Zebulon
Income$79,112+110%
Home value$320,700+281%
Population11,933+855%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Elm City, North Carolina?

Elm City, North Carolina has about 1,218 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Elm City, North Carolina earns about $37,721 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 $84,200, and the typical rent is about $671 a month.

How educated are people in Elm City, North Carolina?

About 16.7% 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 26.5% 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 388 residents, a change of about -24 percent over that period.

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

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