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CITY

Stem

North Carolina · 1,023 residents (2025 est.) · 1.239 sq mi
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The short version

Stem is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $95,625. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 1,020 residents. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $240,500. At a median age of 32.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Poverty is rare here, at 3.0% 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
Younger
median age 32.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 68%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,249
+445%since 2000
from 229 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,008 / sq mi
+445%since 2000
from 185 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
32.1
−18%since 2000
from 39.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,023 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1274337391K1K1990201020202024Stem
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$95,625
+46%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,938 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,520
+105%since 2000
from $17,362 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
63.5%
+52.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
3.0%
−8.8 ptssince 2000
from 11.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.315
+5%since 2010
from 0.301 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade18.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services4.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration4%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance3.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.3%
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
$240,500
+68%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $78,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$925
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $592 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
97.7%
+25.6 ptssince 2000
from 72.0% in 2000
2.3% rent
Vacancy rate
10.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.7%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
−40.0 ptssince 2009
from 40.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.5
+15%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
82
RELATED:See current rent listings in Stem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic88.6%(203)
Black2.2%(5)
Hispanic / Latino5.7%(13)
Asian2.2%(5)
Other0%
Diversity Score23.6%(54)
2024
White, non-Hispanic52.4%(654)
Black33.8%(422)
Hispanic / Latino8.2%(102)
Asian0.7%(9)
Other5%(62)
Diversity Score75.3%(941)
Diversity Score
75
+219%since 2000
from 24 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.4%
+24.5 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.3%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 87.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.7%
+8.6 ptssince 2000
from 2.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.6 min
+81%since 2000
from 17.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.5%
−18.0 ptssince 2009
from 93.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
18.3%
+17.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% 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
0.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.1%
−31.4 ptssince 2011
from 32.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
74.4%
−3.8 ptssince 2011
from 78.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.3%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.3%
−24.6 ptssince 2009
from 62.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.1%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 55.0% in 2009
Female
52.9%
+7.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.0% in 2009
Foreign born
4.5%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.9%
−43.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.5%
−11.1 ptssince 2012
from 21.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.3%
−67.0 ptssince 2013
from 75.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
95.6%
+2.5 ptssince 2017
from 93.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.0%
+7.5 ptssince 2016
from 85.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.2%
−8.3 ptssince 2016
from 14.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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STEM VS
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STEM VS
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STEM VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Stem, North Carolina?

Stem, North Carolina has about 1,249 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Stem, North Carolina earns about $95,625 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Stem, North Carolina expensive?

In Stem, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $240,500, and the typical rent is about $925 a month.

How educated are people in Stem, North Carolina?

About 29.4% of adults age 25 and over in Stem, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Stem, North Carolina?

About 3.0% of people in Stem, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Stem, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Stem, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 945 residents, a change of about 311 percent over that period.

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

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