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CITY · 2020 ACS

Spruce Pine

North Carolina · 2,194 residents · 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 $45,435. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $160,100. The poverty rate of 22.8% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 51%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,194
+8%since 2000
from 2,030 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
541 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 500 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.5
+9%since 2000
from 39.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Spruce Pine
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,435
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,766 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,432
+71%since 2000
from $15,440 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
27.9%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 22.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
22.8%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 17.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.9%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing10.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction9.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade6.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.9%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance1.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$160,100
+51%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$594
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $358 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
60.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 60.8% in 2000
40.0% rent
Afford Score
3.5
+24%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic83.5%(1,833)
Black0.7%(16)
Hispanic / Latino10.8%(238)
Asian0.5%(10)
Other3%(65)
Diversity Score33.5%(736)
Diversity Score
34
+228%since 2000
from 10 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.7%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
82.4%
+11.9 ptssince 2000
from 70.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.5 min
+19%since 2000
from 15.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
71.0%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 66.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.3%
−9.8 ptssince 2009
from 19.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.3%
−3.8 ptssince 2011
from 7.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
52.5%
−14.7 ptssince 2011
from 67.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.5%
−20.7 ptssince 2009
from 54.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.3%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 52.9% in 2009
Female
53.7%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
Foreign born
8.2%
+7.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
23.3%
−59.5 ptssince 2013
from 82.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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 2,194 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Spruce Pine, North Carolina earns about $45,435 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 $160,100, and the typical rent is about $594 a month.

How educated are people in Spruce Pine, North Carolina?

About 18.7% 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 22.8% 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 184 residents, a change of about 9 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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