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CITY

Light Oak

North Carolina · 277 residents · 1.437 sq mi
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The short version

Light Oak has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $63,333. Population has fallen 64% since 2000, a loss of 502 residents. 0% 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 $89,200. With a median age of 57.8, 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 57.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
0% 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
277
−64%since 2000
from 779 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
193 / sq mi
−64%since 2000
from 542 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
57.8
+61%since 2000
from 35.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
1475369251K2K1990201020202024Light Oak
2024277
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,333
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,472 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,023
+85%since 2000
from $13,016 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
30.9%
+22.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
31.4%
+14.3 ptssince 2000
from 17.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.401
+6%since 2010
from 0.377 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade0%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Information0%
US avg: 10.8%
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%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$89,200
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
89.1%
+16.6 ptssince 2000
from 72.5% in 2000
10.9% rent
Vacancy rate
42.7%
+30.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.3%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
−100.0 ptssince 2009
from 100.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.4
−14%since 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
45
RELATED:See current rent listings in Light Oak on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic16.9%(132)
Black82.2%(640)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0.5%(4)
Other0%
Diversity Score36.4%(283)
2024
White, non-Hispanic0%(0)
Black83.4%(231)
Hispanic / Latino16.6%(46)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score34.6%(96)
Diversity Score
35
−5%since 2000
from 36 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
0.0%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 1.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.9%
+21.6 ptssince 2000
from 73.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Drive alone to work
100.0%
+22.4 ptssince 2009
from 77.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−10.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
−12.2 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% 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
0.0%
−8.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−21.0 ptssince 2011
from 21.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
18.8%
−42.7 ptssince 2011
from 61.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
0.0%
−9.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
47.9%
−27.2 ptssince 2009
from 75.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
27.1%
−40.3 ptssince 2009
from 67.4% in 2009
Female
72.9%
+40.3 ptssince 2009
from 32.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.7%
−60.3 ptssince 2009
from 65.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
28.5%
+18.9 ptssince 2012
from 9.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.0%
−63.9 ptssince 2013
from 72.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
77.3%
+48.8 ptssince 2017
from 28.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
83.4%
−14.2 ptssince 2016
from 97.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
16.6%
+16.6 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Light Oak to nearby cities

LIGHT OAK VS
Shelby
Income$48,376−24%
Home value$197,200+121%
Population23,309+8315%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LIGHT OAK VS
Kings Mountain
Income$49,564−22%
Home value$204,100+129%
Population12,117+4274%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LIGHT OAK VS
Gastonia
Income$64,059+1%
Home value$277,600+211%
Population87,067+31332%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LIGHT OAK VS
Gaffney
Income$41,089−35%
Home value$137,700+54%
Population12,583+4443%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Light Oak, North Carolina?

Light Oak, North Carolina has about 277 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Light Oak, North Carolina?

The typical household in Light Oak, North Carolina earns about $63,333 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Light Oak, North Carolina expensive?

In Light Oak, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $89,200.

How educated are people in Light Oak, North Carolina?

About 0.0% of adults age 25 and over in Light Oak, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Light Oak, North Carolina?

About 31.4% of people in Light Oak, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Light Oak, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Light Oak, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 895 residents, a change of about -76 percent over that period.

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

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