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CITY

Red Oak

North Carolina · 3,523 residents (2025 est.) · 19.531 sq mi
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The short version

Red Oak has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $90,214. Population has grown 25% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $271,800. With a median age of 49.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Poverty is rare here, at 2.2% 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 49.5
US median: 38.9
Average education
37% 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
3,405
+25%since 2000
from 2,723 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
174 / sq mi
+25%since 2000
from 139 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
49.5
+26%since 2000
from 39.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,523 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
09412K3K4K1990201020202024Red Oak
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$90,214
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,958 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$66,250
+193%since 2000
from $22,616 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
63.5%
+11.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
2.2%
−4.5 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.525
+25%since 2010
from 0.420 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance14.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical12.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade12.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information10.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services6.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$271,800
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $122,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
96.1%
+10.2 ptssince 2000
from 86.0% in 2000
3.9% rent
Vacancy rate
3.4%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
10.6%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
29.1%
−13.8 ptssince 2009
from 42.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+35%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
42
RELATED:See current rent listings in Red Oak on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.9%(2,449)
Black7.8%(212)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(36)
Asian0.3%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score21.7%(590)
2024
White, non-Hispanic80.1%(2,726)
Black10.7%(366)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other9.2%(313)
Diversity Score42.4%(1,443)
Diversity Score
42
+96%since 2000
from 22 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
37.0%
+17.6 ptssince 2000
from 19.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.1%
+10.8 ptssince 2000
from 84.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
14.9%
+11.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.5 min
+70%since 2000
from 13.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.1%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 86.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.5%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.9%
+10.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% 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
0.0%
−7.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 3.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
52.3%
−12.6 ptssince 2011
from 64.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.1%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 20.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
52.0%
−16.9 ptssince 2009
from 68.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Female
49.8%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
12.7%
−34.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.7%
+1.8 ptssince 2012
from 11.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.1%
−91.2 ptssince 2013
from 93.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.4%
+8.5 ptssince 2017
from 83.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+4.3 ptssince 2016
from 95.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2016
from 2.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Red Oak to nearby cities

RED OAK VS
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Income$55,534−38%
Home value$165,700−39%
Population55,120+1465%
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RED OAK VS
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Home value$185,500−32%
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RED OAK VS
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RED OAK VS
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Income$79,112−12%
Home value$320,700+18%
Population11,933+239%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Red Oak, North Carolina?

Red Oak, North Carolina has about 3,405 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Red Oak, North Carolina earns about $90,214 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Red Oak, North Carolina expensive?

In Red Oak, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $271,800.

How educated are people in Red Oak, North Carolina?

About 37.0% of adults age 25 and over in Red Oak, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 2.2% of people in Red Oak, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Red Oak, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Red Oak, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,137 residents, a change of about 1171 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 →

Red Oak, North Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy