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CITY

Oak City

North Carolina · 266 residents (2025 est.) · 1.003 sq mi
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The short version

Oak City has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $61,091. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 11% 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 $96,100. With a median age of 55.5, 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 55.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% 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
353
+4%since 2000
from 339 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
352 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 338 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
55.5
+24%since 2000
from 44.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:266 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2363003654294941990201020202024Oak City
2024353
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$61,091
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,458 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,593
+80%since 2000
from $15,302 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
22.2%
+8.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.9%
−20.6 ptssince 2000
from 26.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.286
−25%since 2010
from 0.381 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade17.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade13.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information5.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance5.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction4.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
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
$96,100
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$975
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $365 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
45.5%
−29.5 ptssince 2000
from 75.0% in 2000
54.5% rent
Vacancy rate
28.0%
+10.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.7%
−12.9 ptssince 2009
from 32.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
8.8%
−18.8 ptssince 2009
from 27.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.6
−6%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
44
RELATED:See current rent listings in Oak City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic52.5%(178)
Black45.7%(155)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(4)
Asian0.3%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score64%(217)
2024
White, non-Hispanic21.8%(77)
Black75.1%(265)
Hispanic / Latino3.1%(11)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score48.5%(171)
Diversity Score
48
−24%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.4%
+18.0 ptssince 2000
from 67.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.8%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 1.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
36.6 min
+88%since 2000
from 19.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
86.7%
+14.4 ptssince 2009
from 72.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.6%
−13.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.2%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% 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
6.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.0%
−6.8 ptssince 2011
from 8.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.6%
+7.9 ptssince 2011
from 56.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
2.6%
−12.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
11.8%
−49.5 ptssince 2009
from 61.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
40.5%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 39.4% in 2009
Female
59.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 60.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.8%
−31.6 ptssince 2009
from 40.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.7%
−4.7 ptssince 2012
from 25.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.9%
−77.0 ptssince 2013
from 86.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.6%
+54.2 ptssince 2017
from 34.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Oak City to nearby cities

OAK CITY VS
Tarboro
Income$49,796−18%
Home value$185,500+93%
Population10,979+4027%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OAK CITY VS
Greenville
Income$49,748−19%
Home value$233,500+143%
Population96,443+36157%
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OAK CITY VS
Rocky Mount
Income$55,534−9%
Home value$165,700+72%
Population55,120+20622%
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OAK CITY VS
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Income$83,193+36%
Home value$245,100+155%
Population10,973+4025%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Oak City, North Carolina?

Oak City, North Carolina has about 353 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Oak City, North Carolina earns about $61,091 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Oak City, North Carolina expensive?

In Oak City, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $96,100, and the typical rent is about $975 a month.

How educated are people in Oak City, North Carolina?

About 11.1% of adults age 25 and over in Oak City, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 5.9% of people in Oak City, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Oak City, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Oak City, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 36 residents, a change of about -9 percent over that period.

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

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