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CITY

Lowell

North Carolina · 3,939 residents (2025 est.) · 3.675 sq mi
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The short version

Lowell has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $52,500. Population has grown 42% since 2000. 23% 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 $200,600. Households here earn about 27% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 52%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,768
+42%since 2000
from 2,662 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,025 / sq mi
+42%since 2000
from 724 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.3
+7%since 2000
from 38.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,939 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K4K4K1990201020202024Lowell
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,500
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,586 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$39,931
+153%since 2000
from $15,809 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
36.1%
+22.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.4%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 11.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.495
+26%since 2010
from 0.392 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance11%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical10.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade8.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing4%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services2.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$200,600
+52%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,188
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $509 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
73.1%
+9.6 ptssince 2000
from 63.5% in 2000
26.9% rent
Vacancy rate
6.3%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
34.9%
+12.2 ptssince 2009
from 22.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
44.9%
+16.1 ptssince 2009
from 28.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.8
+77%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
63
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lowell on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.3%(2,405)
Black6.5%(172)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(35)
Asian0.6%(17)
Other0%
Diversity Score19.8%(528)
2024
White, non-Hispanic70.5%(2,657)
Black13.5%(507)
Hispanic / Latino12%(452)
Asian0.6%(21)
Other3.5%(131)
Diversity Score58.6%(2,209)
Diversity Score
59
+196%since 2000
from 20 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.0%
+15.3 ptssince 2000
from 7.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.1%
+28.7 ptssince 2000
from 60.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.6%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 1.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.1 min
+38%since 2000
from 16.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
68.4%
−10.6 ptssince 2009
from 79.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.9%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
24.4%
+24.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% 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
0.8%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.7%
−12.2 ptssince 2011
from 15.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2011
from 63.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
3.7%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
42.6%
−10.6 ptssince 2009
from 53.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
50.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
6.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.5%
−43.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.1%
−2.4 ptssince 2012
from 17.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.9%
−68.9 ptssince 2013
from 72.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.7%
+5.8 ptssince 2017
from 83.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
86.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2016
from 86.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
7.7%
−4.5 ptssince 2016
from 12.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Lowell, North Carolina?

Lowell, North Carolina has about 3,768 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Lowell, North Carolina earns about $52,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lowell, North Carolina expensive?

In Lowell, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $200,600, and the typical rent is about $1,188 a month.

How educated are people in Lowell, North Carolina?

About 23.0% of adults age 25 and over in Lowell, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lowell, North Carolina?

About 17.4% of people in Lowell, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lowell, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Lowell, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,064 residents, a change of about 39 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 →