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CITY

Stanley

North Carolina · 4,237 residents (2025 est.) · 2.861 sq mi
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The short version

Stanley has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $75,461. Population has grown 33% since 2000. 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $270,200.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 77%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,069
+33%since 2000
from 3,053 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,422 / sq mi
+33%since 2000
from 1,067 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.9
+3%since 2000
from 35.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,237 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K4K4K1990201020202024Stanley
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$75,461
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,867 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,343
+80%since 2000
from $17,403 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
50.2%
+37.0 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.1%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 10.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.362
−38%since 2010
from 0.582 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade15.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services10.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$270,200
+77%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $83,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,122
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $508 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
70.7%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 68.4% in 2000
29.3% rent
Vacancy rate
5.7%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.2%
−17.7 ptssince 2009
from 38.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.2%
−23.0 ptssince 2009
from 65.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.6
+54%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
85
RELATED:See current rent listings in Stanley on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.3%(2,725)
Black8.4%(257)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(25)
Asian0.5%(14)
Other0%
Diversity Score22.4%(683)
2024
White, non-Hispanic76.7%(3,121)
Black10.5%(427)
Hispanic / Latino8.2%(332)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.6%(189)
Diversity Score49%(1,993)
Diversity Score
49
+119%since 2000
from 22 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.1%
+16.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.0%
+14.7 ptssince 2000
from 78.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.6%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 0.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.1 min
+30%since 2000
from 20.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.2%
−15.0 ptssince 2009
from 90.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.2%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.1%
+9.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 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
2.3%
−8.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.8%
−6.9 ptssince 2011
from 12.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.2%
+9.9 ptssince 2011
from 55.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.7%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.7%
−34.4 ptssince 2009
from 63.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
51.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
2.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.2%
−36.4 ptssince 2009
from 44.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.8%
−10.8 ptssince 2012
from 23.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.7%
−78.9 ptssince 2013
from 87.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.5%
+22.7 ptssince 2017
from 68.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.5%
−4.0 ptssince 2016
from 96.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
7.5%
+5.1 ptssince 2016
from 2.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Stanley to nearby cities

STANLEY VS
Mount Holly
Income$79,385+5%
Home value$337,800+25%
Population19,033+349%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STANLEY VS
Gastonia
Income$64,059−15%
Home value$277,600+3%
Population87,067+1955%
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STANLEY VS
Belmont
Income$94,883+26%
Home value$395,000+46%
Population16,415+287%
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STANLEY VS
Lincolnton
Income$46,320−39%
Home value$248,700−8%
Population12,465+194%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Stanley, North Carolina?

Stanley, North Carolina has about 4,069 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Stanley, North Carolina earns about $75,461 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Stanley, North Carolina expensive?

In Stanley, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $270,200, and the typical rent is about $1,122 a month.

How educated are people in Stanley, North Carolina?

About 23.1% of adults age 25 and over in Stanley, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Stanley, North Carolina?

About 8.1% of people in Stanley, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Stanley, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Stanley, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,255 residents, a change of about 45 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 →

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