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CITY · 2020 ACS

Valdese

North Carolina · 4,689 residents · 7.86 sq mi
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The short version

Valdese has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $58,485. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $120,300. With a median age of 46.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,689
+5%since 2000
from 4,485 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
597 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 571 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.8
+18%since 2000
from 39.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K5K5K1990201020202024Valdese
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,485
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,617 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,667
+35%since 2000
from $18,965 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
33.4%
+17.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
9.7%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 11.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information16.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade12.2%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade10.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services1.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$120,300
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$586
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $354 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
66.5%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 64.4% in 2000
33.5% rent
Afford Score
2.1
−22%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic87.4%(4,097)
Black1.6%(77)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(161)
Asian3.4%(160)
Other2.6%(124)
Diversity Score26.2%(1,230)
Diversity Score
26
+13%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.0%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.6%
+13.9 ptssince 2000
from 70.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
14.7%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.1 min
+119%since 2000
from 11.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 83.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.5%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.7%
−5.0 ptssince 2011
from 8.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
56.1%
−4.4 ptssince 2011
from 60.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
27.9%
−35.7 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.0%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 45.2% in 2009
Female
49.0%
−5.8 ptssince 2009
from 54.8% in 2009
Foreign born
1.5%
−6.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.8%
−81.9 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Valdese to nearby cities

VALDESE VS
Morganton
Income$51,355−12%
Home value$221,700+84%
Population17,849+279%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VALDESE VS
Lenoir
Income$49,910−15%
Home value$179,400+49%
Population18,372+290%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VALDESE VS
Hickory
Income$64,576+10%
Home value$278,400+131%
Population45,975+876%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VALDESE VS
St. Stephens
Income$60,394+3%
Home value$213,300+77%
Population9,457+101%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Valdese, North Carolina?

Valdese, North Carolina has about 4,689 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Valdese, North Carolina earns about $58,485 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 $120,300, and the typical rent is about $586 a month.

How educated are people in Valdese, North Carolina?

About 27.0% 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 9.7% 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 822 residents, a change of about 21 percent over that period.

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

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