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CITY

Polkton

North Carolina · 1,722 residents (2025 est.) · 3.054 sq mi
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The short version

Polkton has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,059. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 1,360 residents. 2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $130,100. The poverty rate of 30.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 35% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
2% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 57%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,555
+114%since 2000
from 1,195 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
837 / sq mi
+114%since 2000
from 391 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.3
+7%since 2000
from 34.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,722 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4171K2K3K4K1990201020202024Polkton
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,059
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,329 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$11,389
−17%since 2000
from $13,783 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
27.0%
+23.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
30.4%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 22.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.386
−17%since 2010
from 0.465 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information17.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade12.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing11.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction11.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade4.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance3.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services1.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$130,100
+57%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,009
+61%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $343 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
46.6%
−26.1 ptssince 2000
from 72.7% in 2000
53.4% rent
Vacancy rate
9.8%
−9.2 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.7%
−11.9 ptssince 2009
from 25.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
37.0%
−43.9 ptssince 2009
from 80.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.8
+85%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
53
RELATED:See current rent listings in Polkton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic39.4%(471)
Black56.3%(673)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(14)
Asian1.3%(16)
Other0%
Diversity Score63.8%(762)
2024
White, non-Hispanic39.7%(1,015)
Black44.1%(1,128)
Hispanic / Latino8.6%(221)
Asian0.1%(3)
Other7.4%(188)
Diversity Score79.3%(2,026)
Diversity Score
79
+24%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
2.5%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
78.3%
+18.4 ptssince 2000
from 60.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.9%
−1.2 ptssince 2000
from 2.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.7 min
+61%since 2000
from 19.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.3%
+12.1 ptssince 2009
from 67.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
16.0%
−14.8 ptssince 2009
from 30.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.6%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% 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
12.0%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.5%
−22.7 ptssince 2011
from 25.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
20.6%
+0.9 ptssince 2011
from 19.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.6%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
20.0%
−30.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.0%
−31.6 ptssince 2009
from 82.6% in 2009
Female
49.0%
+31.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
Foreign born
4.7%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.6%
−85.0 ptssince 2009
from 87.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.3%
−5.0 ptssince 2012
from 22.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
15.5%
−65.9 ptssince 2013
from 81.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.5%
+27.9 ptssince 2017
from 62.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
91.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2016
from 93.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
8.9%
+4.0 ptssince 2016
from 4.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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POLKTON VS
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POLKTON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Polkton, North Carolina?

Polkton, North Carolina has about 2,555 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Polkton, North Carolina earns about $47,059 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Polkton, North Carolina expensive?

In Polkton, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $130,100, and the typical rent is about $1,009 a month.

How educated are people in Polkton, North Carolina?

About 2.5% of adults age 25 and over in Polkton, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Polkton, North Carolina?

About 30.4% of people in Polkton, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Polkton, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Polkton, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,869 residents, a change of about 272 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 →