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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Alexander County

North Carolina · 36,444 residents · 259.985 sq mi
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The short version

Alexander County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $51,329. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $138,900. With a median age of 44.5, 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 44.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
14% 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
36,444
+8%since 2000
from 33,603 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
140 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 129 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.5
+22%since 2000
from 36.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
27K29K32K35K38K1990201020202024Alexander County
202436K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,329
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,684 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,446
+48%since 2000
from $18,507 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
32.2%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 19.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.3%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 8.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade28.4%
US avg: 10%
Information11.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical6.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Other services2.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$138,900
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $84,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$691
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $439 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
77.2%
−3.2 ptssince 2000
from 80.5% in 2000
22.8% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+24%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Alexander County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91%(30,562)
Black4.6%(1,536)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(841)
Asian1%(347)
Other0%
Diversity Score19.3%(6,473)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic84.8%(30,893)
Black5.3%(1,919)
Hispanic / Latino5%(1,836)
Asian1.1%(390)
Other2.3%(838)
Diversity Score31.5%(11,496)
Segregation Score24.8%(9,027)
Diversity Score
32
+64%since 2000
from 19 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
25
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.2%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 9.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.4%
+14.7 ptssince 2000
from 68.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 2.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.3 min
+63%since 2000
from 14.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 82.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.8%
−6.3 ptssince 2011
from 12.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.0%
−4.4 ptssince 2011
from 62.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.9%
−28.4 ptssince 2009
from 55.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Female
48.9%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Foreign born
3.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.0%
−75.9 ptssince 2013
from 84.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Alexander County

Jefferson County
Pop 36,147
Lawrence County
Pop 33,843
Latah County
Pop 41,842
Marion County
Pop 36,382
Places similar to Alexander County
Head to head

Compare Alexander County to nearby counties

ALEXANDER COUNTY VS
Catawba County
Income$67,864+32%
Home value$241,600+74%
Population170,172+360%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ALEXANDER COUNTY VS
Iredell County
Income$81,419+59%
Home value$321,400+131%
Population211,798+473%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ALEXANDER COUNTY VS
Caldwell County
Income$56,425+10%
Home value$192,200+38%
Population81,105+119%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ALEXANDER COUNTY VS
Wilkes County
Income$51,721+1%
Home value$168,800+22%
Population66,233+79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Alexander County, North Carolina?

Alexander County, North Carolina has about 36,444 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Alexander County, North Carolina?

The typical household in Alexander County, North Carolina earns about $51,329 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Alexander County, North Carolina expensive?

In Alexander County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $138,900, and the typical rent is about $691 a month.

How educated are people in Alexander County, North Carolina?

About 14.2% of adults age 25 and over in Alexander County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Alexander County, North Carolina?

About 12.3% of people in Alexander County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Alexander County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Alexander County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 8,900 residents, a change of about 32 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

7 census tracts
Census Tract 405Census Tract 407Census Tract 404Census Tract 406Census Tract 402Census Tract 403Census Tract 401
2 ZIP codes
ZIP 28681ZIP 28636
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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