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CITY

Valdese

North Carolina · 4,712 residents (2025 est.) · 7.86 sq mi
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The short version

Valdese has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $50,740. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $209,800. With a median age of 52.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 30% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 52.6
US median: 38.9
Average education
37% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 43%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,704
+5%since 2000
from 4,485 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
598 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 571 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
52.6
+33%since 2000
from 39.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,712 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K5K5K1990201020202024Valdese
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,740
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,617 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,651
+120%since 2000
from $18,965 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
37.9%
+21.6 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.8%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 11.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.511
+9%since 2010
from 0.469 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade14.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services9.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade9.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance9%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration8.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical8.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$209,800
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$665
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $354 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.9%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 64.4% in 2000
27.1% rent
Vacancy rate
2.0%
−7.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
11.7%
−10.0 ptssince 2009
from 21.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
25.7%
−22.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.1
+57%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
60
RELATED:See current rent listings in Valdese on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic88.9%(3,986)
Black1%(47)
Hispanic / Latino4.9%(220)
Asian3.9%(176)
Other0%
Diversity Score23.2%(1,042)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.2%(4,057)
Black3.3%(153)
Hispanic / Latino5.2%(246)
Asian3.1%(144)
Other2.2%(104)
Diversity Score31.4%(1,476)
Diversity Score
31
+35%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
37.2%
+17.5 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.5%
+23.8 ptssince 2000
from 70.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
14.4%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.5 min
+131%since 2000
from 11.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
87.7%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 83.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
1.4%
−7.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.9%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% 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
5.4%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.8%
−3.0 ptssince 2011
from 8.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.8%
−2.7 ptssince 2011
from 60.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.5%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 21.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
40.0%
−23.6 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.2% in 2009
Female
55.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 54.8% in 2009
Foreign born
5.7%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.9%
−36.2 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.6%
−2.4 ptssince 2012
from 18.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.1%
−85.6 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.9%
+12.3 ptssince 2017
from 74.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.5%
−4.4 ptssince 2016
from 99.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.9%
+3.2 ptssince 2016
from 0.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Valdese to nearby cities

VALDESE VS
Morganton
Income$51,355+1%
Home value$221,700+6%
Population17,849+279%
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VALDESE VS
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Income$49,910−2%
Home value$179,400−14%
Population18,372+290%
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VALDESE VS
Hickory
Income$64,576+27%
Home value$278,400+33%
Population45,975+876%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VALDESE VS
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Income$60,394+19%
Home value$213,300+2%
Population9,457+101%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Valdese, North Carolina?

Valdese, North Carolina has about 4,704 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Valdese, North Carolina earns about $50,740 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Valdese, North Carolina expensive?

In Valdese, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $209,800, and the typical rent is about $665 a month.

How educated are people in Valdese, North Carolina?

About 37.2% of adults age 25 and over in Valdese, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Valdese, North Carolina?

About 12.8% of people in Valdese, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Valdese, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Valdese, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 837 residents, a change of about 22 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 →

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