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CITY

Mills River

North Carolina · 7,504 residents (2025 est.) · 22.378 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#266Lowest poverty rateof 6,8232.6%
The short version

Mills River is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $105,398. Population has held roughly steady since 2023. Median home value is $436,100. With a median age of 46.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Poverty is rare here, at 2.6% of residents. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 46.4
US median: 38.9
More educated
44% 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
7,281
+1%since 2023
from 7,214 in 2023
2009 – 2025
Population density
325 / sq mi
+1%since 2023
from 322 / sq mi in 2023
US average: 281
Median age
46.4
Unchangedsince 2023
from 46.6 in 2023
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:7,504 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 2009 – 2024
6K6K7K7K7K200920202024Mills River
20247K
200920202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$105,398
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $88,359 in 2023
US average: $82,259
2009 – 2024
Per capita income
$46,796
+8%since 2023
from $43,154 in 2023
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
64.5%
+6.6 ptssince 2023
from 57.9% in 2023
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
2.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2023
from 2.0% in 2023
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.366
−2%since 2023
from 0.375 in 2023
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information18.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade13.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade10.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services3.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$436,100
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $358,500 in 2023
US average: $376,019
2009 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,551
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $1,611 in 2023
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
85.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2023
from 86.0% in 2023
14.4% rent
Vacancy rate
14.0%
+4.3 ptssince 2023
from 9.7% in 2023
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.4%
−3.8 ptssince 2023
from 20.2% in 2023
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
22.9%
−5.7 ptssince 2023
from 28.6% in 2023
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.1
+2%since 2023
from 4.1 in 2023
2009 – 2024
Gentrification Score
87
RELATED:See current rent listings in Mills River on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2023
White, non-Hispanic84%(6,057)
Black3%(215)
Hispanic / Latino4.3%(308)
Asian4.4%(320)
Other4.4%(314)
Diversity Score36.1%(2,601)
2024
White, non-Hispanic79.9%(5,814)
Black1.9%(135)
Hispanic / Latino8.9%(648)
Asian4.5%(325)
Other4.9%(359)
Diversity Score43.7%(3,183)
Diversity Score
44
+21%since 2023
from 36 in 2023
2009 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
43.7%
+2.4 ptssince 2023
from 41.3% in 2023
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2023
from 93.6% in 2023
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
18.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2023
from 17.5% in 2023
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.9 min
Unchangedsince 2023
from 21.0 min in 2023
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.4%
−3.4 ptssince 2023
from 79.8% in 2023
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2023
from 8.4% in 2023
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 0.0% in 2023
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.5%
+1.6 ptssince 2023
from 9.9% in 2023
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.2%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 0.2% in 2023
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 0.0% in 2023
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.6%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 0.6% in 2023
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.8%
−2.1 ptssince 2023
from 4.8% in 2023
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.4%
+2.5 ptssince 2023
from 61.9% in 2023
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.9%
+1.8 ptssince 2023
from 9.0% in 2023
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
40.1%
−2.5 ptssince 2023
from 42.6% in 2023
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2023
from 48.5% in 2023
Female
53.2%
+1.7 ptssince 2023
from 51.5% in 2023
Foreign born
7.4%
+2.3 ptssince 2023
from 5.1% in 2023
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.6%
+0.9 ptssince 2023
from 7.7% in 2023
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.8%
−2.1 ptssince 2023
from 13.9% in 2023
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.9%
+1.6 ptssince 2023
from 8.3% in 2023
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2023
from 91.0% in 2023
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
91.2%
−3.1 ptssince 2023
from 94.3% in 2023
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.1%
+3.0 ptssince 2023
from 3.1% in 2023
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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MILLS RIVER VS
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MILLS RIVER VS
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MILLS RIVER VS
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Population93,523+1146%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Mills River, North Carolina?

Mills River, North Carolina has about 7,281 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Mills River, North Carolina?

The typical household in Mills River, North Carolina earns about $105,398 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Mills River, North Carolina expensive?

In Mills River, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $436,100, and the typical rent is about $1,551 a month.

How educated are people in Mills River, North Carolina?

About 43.7% of adults age 25 and over in Mills River, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Mills River, North Carolina?

About 2.6% of people in Mills River, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →