COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Catawba County

North Carolina · 118,412 residents · 401.374 sq mi

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The short version

Catawba County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $29,228. Population has fallen 16% since 2000, a loss of 23,273 residents. Median home value is $62,300.

At a glance

Average income

near the US median

US median: $30,130

Mid-age

median age 34.3

US median: 33.0

Less educated

14% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

More affordable

home values down 14%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

118,412

−16%vs 2000

vs 141,685 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

295 / sq mi

−16%vs 2000

vs 353 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

34.3

−5%vs 2000

vs 36.1 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

2024164K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$29,228

−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $40,536 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$13,764

−32%vs 2000

vs $20,358 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

7.1%

−2.0 ptsvs 2000

vs 9.1% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$62,300

−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $95,100 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$371

−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $525 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

72.8%

+0.3 ptsvs 2000

vs 72.5% in 2000

27.2% rent

Afford Score

2.1

−9%vs 2000

vs 2.3 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Catawba County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic82.1%(116,326)

Black8.3%(11,751)

Hispanic / Latino5.6%(7,886)

Asian2.9%(4,100)

Other0%

Diversity Score37.4%(52,983)

1990

White, non-Hispanic89.8%(106,382)

Black9%(10,673)

Hispanic / Latino0.6%(687)

Asian0.7%(854)

Other0.4%(503)

Diversity Score24.3%(28,718)

Diversity Score

−35%vs 2000

vs 37 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

14.2%

−2.8 ptsvs 2000

vs 17.0% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

66.7%

−8.1 ptsvs 2000

vs 74.8% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

3.3%

−1.4 ptsvs 2000

vs 4.7% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

15.7 min

+20%vs 2000

vs 13.1 min in 2000

US average: 21.9

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Catawba County

Head to head

Compare Catawba County to nearby counties

CATAWBA COUNTY VS

Lincoln County

Income$80,016+174%

Home value$321,000+415%

Population98,654−42%

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CATAWBA COUNTY VS

Alexander County

Income$65,354+124%

Home value$211,800+240%

Population36,958−78%

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CATAWBA COUNTY VS

Iredell County

Income$81,419+179%

Home value$321,400+416%

Population211,798+24%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

CATAWBA COUNTY VS

Gaston County

Income$67,478+131%

Home value$266,000+327%

Population246,558+45%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Catawba County, North Carolina?

Catawba County, North Carolina has about 118,412 residents according to the 1990 Census.

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

The typical household in Catawba County, North Carolina earns about $29,228 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Catawba County, North Carolina expensive?

In Catawba County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $62,300, and the typical rent is about $371 a month.

How educated are people in Catawba County, North Carolina?

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

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

About 7.1% of people in Catawba County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →