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CITY

Hays

North Carolina · 1,053 residents · 6.158 sq mi
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The short version

Hays has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $55,035. Population has fallen 39% since 2000, a loss of 678 residents. 17% 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 $183,800. With a median age of 48.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 48.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 37%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,053
−39%since 2000
from 1,731 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
171 / sq mi
−39%since 2000
from 281 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
48.2
+31%since 2000
from 36.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
9691K1K2K2K1990201020202024Hays
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$55,035
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,642 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,781
+112%since 2000
from $16,869 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
35.6%
+17.7 ptssince 2009
from 17.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
4.9%
−12.7 ptssince 2000
from 17.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.379
−5%since 2010
from 0.397 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade29.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$183,800
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
94.5%
+13.6 ptssince 2000
from 80.9% in 2000
5.5% rent
Vacancy rate
16.5%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
8.4%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
65.4%
+47.8 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.3
+70%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
62
RELATED:See current rent listings in Hays on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.9%(1,695)
Black0.5%(9)
Hispanic / Latino1%(18)
Asian0.2%(4)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.4%(77)
2024
White, non-Hispanic83.2%(876)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino16.7%(176)
Asian0%(0)
Other0.1%(1)
Diversity Score35%(369)
Diversity Score
35
+690%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.9%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 13.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
86.7%
+17.9 ptssince 2000
from 68.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.0%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.5 min
+75%since 2000
from 14.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.0%
+8.7 ptssince 2009
from 75.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.1%
−10.0 ptssince 2009
from 22.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.9%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 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
9.4%
+9.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−7.9 ptssince 2011
from 7.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
71.0%
+13.8 ptssince 2011
from 57.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.7%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
18.5%
−34.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.1%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Female
44.9%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Foreign born
9.6%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.5%
−41.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.6%
+1.5 ptssince 2012
from 17.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
0.0%
−89.7 ptssince 2013
from 89.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.5%
+16.4 ptssince 2017
from 78.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
82.5%
−16.4 ptssince 2016
from 98.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
17.5%
+16.4 ptssince 2016
from 1.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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HAYS VS
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HAYS VS
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Income$40,275−27%
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HAYS VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Hays, North Carolina?

Hays, North Carolina has about 1,053 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Hays, North Carolina earns about $55,035 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Hays, North Carolina expensive?

In Hays, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $183,800.

How educated are people in Hays, North Carolina?

About 16.9% of adults age 25 and over in Hays, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Hays, North Carolina?

About 4.9% of people in Hays, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Hays, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Hays, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 364 residents, a change of about -26 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 →

Hays, North Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy