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CITY

Sugar Mountain

North Carolina · 382 residents (2025 est.) · 2.459 sq mi
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The short version

Sugar Mountain is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $96,094. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 313 residents. 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $343,800. With a median age of 66.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 66.8
US median: 38.9
More educated
65% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 56%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
539
+138%since 2000
from 226 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
219 / sq mi
+138%since 2000
from 92 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
66.8
+55%since 2000
from 43.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:382 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
541983414846281990201020202024Sugar Mountain
2024539
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$96,094
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$90,458
+234%since 2000
from $27,063 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
69.3%
+36.7 ptssince 2009
from 32.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.3%
−14.7 ptssince 2000
from 21.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.537
−4%since 2010
from 0.560 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade9.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food9.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services8.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Information6.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Public administration5.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade4.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance1.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$343,800
+56%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $120,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,500
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $825 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
93.0%
+17.8 ptssince 2000
from 75.2% in 2000
7.0% rent
Vacancy rate
81.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 81.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
11.7%
−17.4 ptssince 2009
from 29.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
77.3%
+12.4 ptssince 2009
from 64.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.6
+11%since 2000
from 3.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
66
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sugar Mountain on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99.1%(224)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic95.5%(515)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(6)
Asian0.9%(5)
Other2.4%(13)
Diversity Score10.8%(58)
Diversity Score
11
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
65.3%
+36.0 ptssince 2000
from 29.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.5%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 94.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
30.7%
+22.7 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.6 min
+22%since 2000
from 14.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
68.3%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 72.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
1.8%
−19.9 ptssince 2009
from 21.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
26.2%
+19.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.4%
+2.4 ptssince 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
6.1%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2011
from 7.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
36.2%
−12.7 ptssince 2011
from 48.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.3%
+9.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
69.5%
+9.5 ptssince 2009
from 60.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.1%
−7.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
Female
54.9%
+7.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
Foreign born
6.9%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.4%
−46.2 ptssince 2009
from 54.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.3%
+5.9 ptssince 2012
from 10.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.3%
−83.8 ptssince 2013
from 88.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2017
from 90.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.7%
−6.0 ptssince 2016
from 98.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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SUGAR MOUNTAIN VS
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SUGAR MOUNTAIN VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina?

Sugar Mountain, North Carolina has about 539 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina?

The typical household in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina earns about $96,094 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sugar Mountain, North Carolina expensive?

In Sugar Mountain, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $343,800, and the typical rent is about $1,500 a month.

How educated are people in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina?

About 65.3% of adults age 25 and over in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina?

About 6.3% of people in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sugar Mountain, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Sugar Mountain, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 437 residents, a change of about 428 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 →

Sugar Mountain, North Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy