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CITY

Sawmills

North Carolina · 5,105 residents (2025 est.) · 6.608 sq mi
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The short version

Sawmills has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $71,067. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 13% 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 $219,600.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 45%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,042
+2%since 2000
from 4,921 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
763 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 745 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.8
+13%since 2000
from 34.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:5,105 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K5K5K5K1990201020202024Sawmills
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$71,067
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,391 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,741
+116%since 2000
from $15,597 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.2%
+31.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.9%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 8.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.436
+17%since 2010
from 0.373 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade29.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Information17.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Transportation & warehousing4%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade3.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration3.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance1.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.7%
US avg: 5.1%
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%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$219,600
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $83,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$730
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $477 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
68.7%
−1.2 ptssince 2000
from 69.8% in 2000
31.3% rent
Vacancy rate
19.5%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.1%
−9.9 ptssince 2009
from 27.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
30.6%
−8.5 ptssince 2009
from 39.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.1
+35%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
52
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sawmills on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.4%(4,742)
Black0.5%(27)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(116)
Asian0.2%(8)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.5%(370)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.8%(4,730)
Black1.2%(60)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(147)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.1%(105)
Diversity Score14.8%(747)
Diversity Score
15
+97%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.7%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
81.8%
+14.3 ptssince 2000
from 67.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.0 min
+96%since 2000
from 11.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.3%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 82.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.2%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% 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
3.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.0%
−6.6 ptssince 2011
from 14.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.1%
+3.9 ptssince 2011
from 61.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
27.3%
−22.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
56.0%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Female
44.0%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.4%
−48.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.8%
+2.1 ptssince 2012
from 15.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
13.8%
−68.4 ptssince 2013
from 82.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.2%
+17.7 ptssince 2017
from 71.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.5%
+5.2 ptssince 2016
from 92.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.7%
−5.7 ptssince 2016
from 7.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Sawmills to nearby cities

SAWMILLS VS
Lenoir
Income$49,910−30%
Home value$179,400−18%
Population18,372+260%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAWMILLS VS
Hickory
Income$64,576−9%
Home value$278,400+27%
Population45,975+801%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAWMILLS VS
St. Stephens
Income$60,394−15%
Home value$213,300−3%
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SAWMILLS VS
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Income$51,355−28%
Home value$221,700+1%
Population17,849+250%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sawmills, North Carolina?

Sawmills, North Carolina has about 5,042 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Sawmills, North Carolina earns about $71,067 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sawmills, North Carolina expensive?

In Sawmills, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $219,600, and the typical rent is about $730 a month.

How educated are people in Sawmills, North Carolina?

About 12.7% of adults age 25 and over in Sawmills, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sawmills, North Carolina?

About 9.9% of people in Sawmills, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sawmills, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Sawmills, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,048 residents, a change of about 26 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 →

Sawmills, North Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy