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CITY

Mars Hill

North Carolina · 2,280 residents (2025 est.) · 2.103 sq mi
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The short version

Mars Hill has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $81,429. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 71% since 2000. 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $294,700. At a median age of 27.6, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 27.6
US median: 38.9
More educated
48% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 55%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,025
+71%since 2000
from 1,764 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,438 / sq mi
+71%since 2000
from 839 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
27.6
+22%since 2000
from 22.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,280 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Mars Hill
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$81,429
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,917 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,841
+131%since 2000
from $13,366 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
54.8%
+36.6 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
3.3%
−13.6 ptssince 2000
from 16.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.393
−10%since 2010
from 0.439 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services5.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade2.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing2.1%
US avg: 0.4%
Finance & insurance2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration1.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$294,700
+55%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $104,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,043
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $443 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
64.6%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 58.8% in 2000
35.4% rent
Vacancy rate
15.0%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
15.8%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 19.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
41.0%
−13.6 ptssince 2009
from 54.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.6
+14%since 2000
from 3.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
83
RELATED:See current rent listings in Mars Hill on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.8%(1,601)
Black5.9%(104)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(24)
Asian0.9%(15)
Other0%
Diversity Score19.2%(338)
2024
White, non-Hispanic85.1%(2,575)
Black6.7%(203)
Hispanic / Latino6.3%(190)
Asian0.5%(14)
Other1.4%(43)
Diversity Score33.3%(1,009)
Diversity Score
33
+74%since 2000
from 19 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
48.1%
+9.2 ptssince 2000
from 38.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.5%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 87.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
22.9%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 18.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.9 min
+76%since 2000
from 15.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
66.4%
+12.7 ptssince 2009
from 53.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.1%
−13.8 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
15.5%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
12.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.4%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.5%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 5.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
58.0%
+7.1 ptssince 2011
from 50.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.4%
−15.3 ptssince 2009
from 32.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
40.8%
−22.8 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.9%
+8.7 ptssince 2009
from 45.2% in 2009
Female
46.1%
−8.7 ptssince 2009
from 54.8% in 2009
Foreign born
4.3%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.9%
−36.8 ptssince 2009
from 43.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.3%
−5.0 ptssince 2012
from 18.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.0%
−84.0 ptssince 2013
from 89.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.1%
+11.4 ptssince 2017
from 76.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.7%
−3.7 ptssince 2016
from 97.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.8%
+2.9 ptssince 2016
from 1.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Mars Hill to nearby cities

MARS HILL VS
Woodfin
Income$71,384−12%
Home value$366,700+24%
Population8,229+261%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MARS HILL VS
Asheville
Income$71,102−13%
Home value$440,000+49%
Population93,523+4002%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MARS HILL VS
Black Mountain
Income$77,042−5%
Home value$358,900+22%
Population8,491+272%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MARS HILL VS
Fletcher
Income$75,272−8%
Home value$331,100+12%
Population8,373+267%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Mars Hill, North Carolina?

Mars Hill, North Carolina has about 3,025 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Mars Hill, North Carolina?

The typical household in Mars Hill, North Carolina earns about $81,429 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Mars Hill, North Carolina expensive?

In Mars Hill, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $294,700, and the typical rent is about $1,043 a month.

How educated are people in Mars Hill, North Carolina?

About 48.1% of adults age 25 and over in Mars Hill, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Mars Hill, North Carolina?

About 3.3% of people in Mars Hill, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Mars Hill, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Mars Hill, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,414 residents, a change of about 88 percent over that period.

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

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