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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Caldwell County

North Carolina · 80,652 residents · 471.888 sq mi
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The short version

Caldwell County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $46,094. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 16% 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 $125,200. With a median age of 45.1, 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 45.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
16% 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
80,652
+4%since 2000
from 77,415 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
171 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 164 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
45.1
+20%since 2000
from 37.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
69K73K77K81K84K1990201020202024Caldwell County
202481K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,094
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,739 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,666
+42%since 2000
from $17,353 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
29.2%
+11.1 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 10.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade24.6%
US avg: 10%
Information11.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5%
US avg: 5.5%
Transportation & warehousing4.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$125,200
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$647
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $446 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
71.3%
−3.7 ptssince 2000
from 74.9% in 2000
28.7% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+22%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Caldwell County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.8%(70,307)
Black5.4%(4,201)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(1,927)
Asian0.4%(301)
Other0%
Diversity Score19.6%(15,183)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic84.1%(67,868)
Black4.8%(3,843)
Hispanic / Latino6.1%(4,923)
Asian0.7%(527)
Other2.6%(2,100)
Diversity Score32.5%(26,199)
Segregation Score34.2%(27,610)
Diversity Score
32
+66%since 2000
from 20 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
34
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.8%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 10.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.4%
+15.2 ptssince 2000
from 66.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.8 min
+93%since 2000
from 13.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.1%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 86.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.2%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.5%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 11.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
57.6%
−3.0 ptssince 2011
from 60.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.8%
−28.2 ptssince 2009
from 55.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Female
50.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Foreign born
2.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.0%
−70.8 ptssince 2013
from 82.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Caldwell County

Talladega County
Pop 81,603
White County
Pop 80,085
Troup County
Pop 72,844
Vermilion County
Pop 71,259
Places similar to Caldwell County
Head to head

Compare Caldwell County to nearby counties

CALDWELL COUNTY VS
Burke County
Income$58,592+27%
Home value$185,400+48%
Population88,655+9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CALDWELL COUNTY VS
Alexander County
Income$65,354+42%
Home value$211,800+69%
Population36,958−54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CALDWELL COUNTY VS
Watauga County
Income$51,693+12%
Home value$358,900+187%
Population54,786−32%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CALDWELL COUNTY VS
Avery County
Income$61,428+33%
Home value$265,800+112%
Population18,110−78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Caldwell County, North Carolina?

Caldwell County, North Carolina has about 80,652 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Caldwell County, North Carolina earns about $46,094 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Caldwell County, North Carolina expensive?

In Caldwell County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $125,200, and the typical rent is about $647 a month.

How educated are people in Caldwell County, North Carolina?

About 15.8% of adults age 25 and over in Caldwell County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 14.0% of people in Caldwell County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Caldwell County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Caldwell County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 9,943 residents, a change of about 14 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

19 census tracts
Census Tract 307Census Tract 301Census Tract 309Census Tract 302Census Tract 305Census Tract 306Census Tract 312.02Census Tract 311Census Tract 313.01Census Tract 313.02Census Tract 304Census Tract 303Census Tract 308.02Census Tract 312.01Census Tract 308.01Census Tract 314.02Census Tract 314.01Census Tract 310Census Tract 314.03
5 ZIP codes
ZIP 28645ZIP 28630ZIP 28638ZIP 28611ZIP 28667
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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