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CITY · 2010 ACS

Valdese

North Carolina · 4,490 residents · 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 $37,194. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $123,300. With a median age of 43.5, the population is older than the US median of 37.2.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 43.5
US median: 37.2
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,490
Unchangedsince 2000
from 4,485 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
571 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 571 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
43.5
+10%since 2000
from 39.6 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K5K5K1990201020202024Valdese
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,194
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,617 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,319
+23%since 2000
from $18,965 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
22.0%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
8.2%
−3.7 ptssince 2000
from 11.9% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.469
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade17.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Information10.9%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade6.3%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2.4%
Other services0.9%
US avg: 7%
Public administration0.4%
US avg: 4.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$123,300
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,800 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$513
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $354 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
43.1%
−21.2 ptssince 2000
from 64.4% in 2000
33.8% rent
Vacancy rate
9.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
16.8%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 21.7% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
49.2%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.3
+26%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic91.5%(4,110)
Black1.3%(59)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(118)
Asian3%(134)
Other2.2%(99)
Diversity Score21.4%(960)
Diversity Score
21
−8%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.3%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
79.5%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 70.7% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
8.5%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.5 min
+70%since 2000
from 11.5 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
79.6%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 83.4% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
9.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.9%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
6.0%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
11.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
18.2%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 21.8% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
28.1%
−35.5 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 45.2% in 2009
Female
54.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 54.8% in 2009
Foreign born
8.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
14.0%
−30.1 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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Compare Valdese to nearby cities

VALDESE VS
Morganton
Income$51,355+38%
Home value$221,700+80%
Population17,849+279%
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VALDESE VS
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Income$49,910+34%
Home value$179,400+45%
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VALDESE VS
Hickory
Income$64,576+74%
Home value$278,400+126%
Population45,975+876%
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VALDESE VS
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Income$60,394+62%
Home value$213,300+73%
Population9,457+101%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Valdese, North Carolina?

Valdese, North Carolina has about 4,490 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Valdese, North Carolina earns about $37,194 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 $123,300, and the typical rent is about $513 a month.

How educated are people in Valdese, North Carolina?

About 21.3% 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 8.2% 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 623 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.

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

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