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CITY

Spruce Pine

North Carolina · 2,211 residents (2025 est.) · 4.056 sq mi
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The short version

Spruce Pine has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,098. Population has grown 18% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $207,500. With a median age of 48.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. The poverty rate of 22.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 42% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 48.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 62%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,398
+18%since 2000
from 2,030 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
591 / sq mi
+18%since 2000
from 500 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
48.6
+22%since 2000
from 39.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,211 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Spruce Pine
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,098
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,766 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,834
+87%since 2000
from $15,440 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
27.2%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 22.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
22.5%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 17.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.534
+14%since 2010
from 0.468 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information17.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade16.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade9.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Finance & insurance2.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing2.6%
US avg: 0.4%
Other services1.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Construction1.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration0.6%
US avg: 4.8%
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
$207,500
+62%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$837
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $358 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
64.4%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 60.8% in 2000
35.6% rent
Vacancy rate
9.5%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.5%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.2%
+9.5 ptssince 2009
from 30.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.9
+73%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
50
RELATED:See current rent listings in Spruce Pine on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.4%(1,936)
Black0.4%(8)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(77)
Asian0%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score10.2%(208)
2024
White, non-Hispanic82.8%(1,986)
Black0.8%(19)
Hispanic / Latino11.9%(285)
Asian0.3%(6)
Other4.3%(102)
Diversity Score37.3%(894)
Diversity Score
37
+264%since 2000
from 10 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.4%
+10.9 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
81.0%
+10.5 ptssince 2000
from 70.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.6%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.7 min
+40%since 2000
from 15.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.6%
+14.3 ptssince 2009
from 66.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
15.5%
−13.6 ptssince 2009
from 29.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.9%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% 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
9.5%
−9.7 ptssince 2009
from 19.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.8%
−5.3 ptssince 2011
from 7.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
52.2%
−15.0 ptssince 2011
from 67.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
30.1%
+15.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.0%
−25.2 ptssince 2009
from 54.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.9% in 2009
Female
50.7%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
Foreign born
8.1%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.7%
−45.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.5%
−2.5 ptssince 2012
from 21.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
17.6%
−65.2 ptssince 2013
from 82.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.1%
+21.2 ptssince 2017
from 63.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
89.5%
+1.6 ptssince 2016
from 88.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
8.5%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 8.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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SPRUCE PINE VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Spruce Pine, North Carolina?

Spruce Pine, North Carolina has about 2,398 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Spruce Pine, North Carolina?

The typical household in Spruce Pine, North Carolina earns about $42,098 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Spruce Pine, North Carolina expensive?

In Spruce Pine, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $207,500, and the typical rent is about $837 a month.

How educated are people in Spruce Pine, North Carolina?

About 24.4% of adults age 25 and over in Spruce Pine, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Spruce Pine, North Carolina?

About 22.5% of people in Spruce Pine, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Spruce Pine, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Spruce Pine, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 388 residents, a change of about 19 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 →

Spruce Pine, North Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy