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CITY · 2020 ACS

Light Oak

North Carolina · 697 residents · 1.437 sq mi
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The short version

Population has declined 11% since 2000. 1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $69,400. With a median age of 46.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. The poverty rate of 53.8% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Older
median age 46.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
1% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
697
−11%since 2000
from 779 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
485 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 542 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.2
+29%since 2000
from 35.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1475369251K2K1990201020202024Light Oak
2024277
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Per capita income
$12,789
−2%since 2000
from $13,016 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
8.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
53.8%
+36.7 ptssince 2000
from 17.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Arts, entertainment, food51%
US avg: 2%
Retail trade33%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Education & health services4.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Information2.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$69,400
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
59.2%
−13.3 ptssince 2000
from 72.5% in 2000
40.8% rent
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic23.4%(163)
Black70.6%(492)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(11)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score49.5%(345)
Diversity Score
49
+36%since 2000
from 36 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
1.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 1.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
50.4%
−22.9 ptssince 2000
from 73.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
11.2 min
−26%since 2000
from 15.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
100.0%
+22.4 ptssince 2009
from 77.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
0.0%
−8.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.2%
−13.8 ptssince 2011
from 21.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
48.2%
−13.3 ptssince 2011
from 61.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
0.0%
−75.1 ptssince 2009
from 75.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.6%
−21.8 ptssince 2009
from 67.4% in 2009
Female
54.4%
+21.8 ptssince 2009
from 32.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
0.0%
−72.9 ptssince 2013
from 72.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Light Oak

Garfield
Pop 249
St. Marks
Pop 320
Bowers
Pop 290
Caryville
Pop 323
Places similar to Light Oak
Head to head

Compare Light Oak to nearby cities

LIGHT OAK VS
Shelby
Income$48,376
Home value$197,200+184%
Population23,309+8315%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LIGHT OAK VS
Kings Mountain
Income$49,564
Home value$204,100+194%
Population12,117+4274%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LIGHT OAK VS
Gastonia
Income$64,059
Home value$277,600+300%
Population87,067+31332%
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LIGHT OAK VS
Gaffney
Income$41,089
Home value$137,700+98%
Population12,583+4443%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Light Oak, North Carolina?

Light Oak, North Carolina has about 697 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

Is Light Oak, North Carolina expensive?

In Light Oak, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $69,400.

How educated are people in Light Oak, North Carolina?

About 1.0% 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 53.8% 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 475 residents, a change of about -41 percent over that period.

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

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