CensusEasy
CITY · 2020 ACS

Hays

North Carolina · 1,595 residents · 6.158 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the North Wilkesboro micropolitan area
Compare
The short version

Hays has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $35,278. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $93,200. With a median age of 46.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 38% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 16%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,595
−8%since 2000
from 1,731 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
259 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 281 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.2
+26%since 2000
from 36.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
9691K1K2K2K1990201020202024Hays
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,278
−38%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,642 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,048
+19%since 2000
from $16,869 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
14.2%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 17.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.0%
−5.6 ptssince 2000
from 17.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade37.8%
US avg: 10%
Information16.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 4.7%
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
$93,200
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$633
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $368 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
84.8%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 80.9% in 2000
15.2% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+35%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic93.1%(1,485)
Black0.9%(15)
Hispanic / Latino3.6%(57)
Asian0%(0)
Other0.1%(2)
Diversity Score11.5%(183)
Diversity Score
11
+158%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.6%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 13.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
75.7%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 68.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
1.7%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.7 min
+76%since 2000
from 14.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
99.6%
+24.3 ptssince 2009
from 75.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
1.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.4%
−5.5 ptssince 2011
from 7.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
50.9%
−6.3 ptssince 2011
from 57.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.3%
−26.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Female
48.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Foreign born
10.9%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.9%
−84.8 ptssince 2013
from 89.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Hays

Mayo
Pop 1,119
Harlem Heights
Pop 1,122
Page Park
Pop 917
Southport
Pop 873
Places similar to Hays
Head to head

Compare Hays to nearby cities

HAYS VS
Boone
Income$30,065−15%
Home value$411,100+341%
Population19,929+1793%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HAYS VS
Lenoir
Income$49,910+41%
Home value$179,400+92%
Population18,372+1645%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HAYS VS
Mount Airy
Income$40,275+14%
Home value$181,900+95%
Population10,682+914%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HAYS VS
St. Stephens
Income$60,394+71%
Home value$213,300+129%
Population9,457+798%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Hays, North Carolina?

Hays, North Carolina has about 1,595 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Hays, North Carolina earns about $35,278 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 $93,200, and the typical rent is about $633 a month.

How educated are people in Hays, North Carolina?

About 11.6% 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 12.0% of people in Hays, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Hays, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Hays, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 178 residents, a change of about 13 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
North Carolina
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Hays with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →