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CITY

Emma

North Carolina · 2,657 residents · 1.087 sq mi
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The short version

Emma has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,907. Population has declined 4% since 2023. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $92,300. At a median age of 29.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 39% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 29.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
21% 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
2,657
−4%since 2023
from 2,757 in 2023
2020 – 2024
Population density
2,444 / sq mi
−4%since 2023
from 2,536 / sq mi in 2023
US average: 281
Median age
29.7
+3%since 2023
from 28.9 in 2023
US average: 38.9
Population, 2020 – 2024
2K2K3K3K3K20202024Emma
20243K
20202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,907
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $40,964 in 2023
US average: $82,259
2020 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,704
+1%since 2023
from $18,474 in 2023
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
18.6%
+4.6 ptssince 2023
from 14.0% in 2023
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2023
from 10.0% in 2023
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.292
−10%since 2023
from 0.324 in 2023
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade13.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade3.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration0.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
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
$92,300
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $88,900 in 2023
US average: $376,019
2020 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,064
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $981 in 2023
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
71.8%
+1.7 ptssince 2023
from 70.1% in 2023
28.2% rent
Vacancy rate
32.2%
+7.6 ptssince 2023
from 24.6% in 2023
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
1.5%
−3.7 ptssince 2023
from 5.2% in 2023
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
29.4%
+1.6 ptssince 2023
from 27.8% in 2023
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.1
−3%since 2023
from 2.2 in 2023
2020 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Emma on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2023
White, non-Hispanic31.3%(862)
Black0.3%(9)
Hispanic / Latino66.8%(1,843)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.6%(43)
Diversity Score56.9%(1,568)
2024
White, non-Hispanic34.9%(926)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino63.8%(1,696)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.3%(35)
Diversity Score58.9%(1,564)
Diversity Score
59
+3%since 2023
from 57 in 2023
2020 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.8%
+7.2 ptssince 2023
from 13.6% in 2023
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
75.1%
−3.1 ptssince 2023
from 78.2% in 2023
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2023
from 3.0% in 2023
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.0 min
Unchangedsince 2023
from 19.9 min in 2023
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
70.5%
−7.4 ptssince 2023
from 77.9% in 2023
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.0%
−3.6 ptssince 2023
from 17.6% in 2023
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
12.6%
+8.2 ptssince 2023
from 4.4% in 2023
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.8%
+2.8 ptssince 2023
from 0.0% in 2023
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 0.0% in 2023
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 0.0% in 2023
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2023
from 1.2% in 2023
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 0.0% in 2023
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
47.8%
−9.1 ptssince 2023
from 56.9% in 2023
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
2.9%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 3.0% in 2023
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
19.5%
+11.1 ptssince 2023
from 8.4% in 2023
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.6%
−3.4 ptssince 2023
from 48.1% in 2023
Female
55.4%
+3.4 ptssince 2023
from 51.9% in 2023
Foreign born
19.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2023
from 20.6% in 2023
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
0.4%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 0.4% in 2023
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.2%
+5.1 ptssince 2023
from 13.1% in 2023
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
35.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2023
from 34.6% in 2023
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
75.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2023
from 74.5% in 2023
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
52.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2023
from 51.3% in 2023
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
47.2%
−1.2 ptssince 2023
from 48.4% in 2023
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Emma to nearby cities

EMMA VS
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EMMA VS
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EMMA VS
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EMMA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Emma, North Carolina?

Emma, North Carolina has about 2,657 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Emma, North Carolina earns about $43,907 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Emma, North Carolina expensive?

In Emma, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $92,300, and the typical rent is about $1,064 a month.

How educated are people in Emma, North Carolina?

About 20.8% of adults age 25 and over in Emma, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Emma, North Carolina?

About 11.3% of people in Emma, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

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

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