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CITY

Polkville

North Carolina · 516 residents (2025 est.) · 1.863 sq mi
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The short version

Polkville has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $74,688. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $179,500.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 39%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
536
Unchangedsince 2000
from 535 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
288 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 287 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.6
+2%since 2000
from 37.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:516 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3346569781K2K1990201020202024Polkville
2024536
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$74,688
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,750 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,693
+124%since 2000
from $15,015 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
49.8%
+34.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.1%
−9.0 ptssince 2000
from 19.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.363
−14%since 2010
from 0.422 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade18.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Transportation & warehousing5.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade1.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
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
$179,500
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$820
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $442 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
86.5%
+13.6 ptssince 2000
from 72.9% in 2000
13.5% rent
Vacancy rate
19.8%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 20.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.3%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
28.6%
−10.1 ptssince 2009
from 38.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.4
−2%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
71
RELATED:See current rent listings in Polkville on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.4%(505)
Black2.6%(14)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(12)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score11.8%(63)
2024
White, non-Hispanic100%(536)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score0%(0)
Diversity Score
0
−100%since 2000
from 12 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.1%
+16.9 ptssince 2000
from 9.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.3%
+24.1 ptssince 2000
from 69.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
12.9%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 3.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.7 min
+50%since 2000
from 16.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 84.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.8%
−9.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.1%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.7%
+4.7 ptssince 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
1.0%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.0%
−17.9 ptssince 2011
from 18.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.7%
+10.3 ptssince 2011
from 55.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.9%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 19.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
35.0%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
49.4%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−19.5 ptssince 2009
from 19.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
16.4%
−32.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.4%
−3.0 ptssince 2012
from 19.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.9%
−74.9 ptssince 2013
from 86.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.0%
+31.5 ptssince 2017
from 54.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.5%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 96.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2016
from 2.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Polkville to nearby cities

POLKVILLE VS
Shelby
Income$48,376−35%
Home value$197,200+10%
Population23,309+4417%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLKVILLE VS
Kings Mountain
Income$49,564−34%
Home value$204,100+14%
Population12,117+2248%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POLKVILLE VS
Morganton
Income$51,355−31%
Home value$221,700+24%
Population17,849+3359%
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POLKVILLE VS
Lincolnton
Income$46,320−38%
Home value$248,700+39%
Population12,465+2316%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Polkville, North Carolina?

Polkville, North Carolina has about 536 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Polkville, North Carolina earns about $74,688 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Polkville, North Carolina expensive?

In Polkville, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $179,500, and the typical rent is about $820 a month.

How educated are people in Polkville, North Carolina?

About 26.1% of adults age 25 and over in Polkville, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Polkville, North Carolina?

About 10.1% of people in Polkville, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Polkville, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Polkville, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 978 residents, a change of about -65 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 →