Albemarle, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Albemarle, North Carolina had a total population of 16,762, the 64th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $46,881, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Albemarle Quick Facts
How Albemarle Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,527 | 16,762 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $52,825 | $46,881 | -11.3% |
| Median home value | $186,100 | $204,800 | +10.0% |
How Albemarle Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Albemarle Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Stanly County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakboro | 2,683 | $69,100 | 5.5% | $282,600 |
| Norwood | 2,433 | $51,639 | 8.6% | $185,200 |
| Badin | 2,184 | $53,145 | 19.6% | $160,200 |
| Stanfield | 1,522 | $79,250 | 9.3% | $335,800 |
| Richfield | 937 | $70,750 | 11.4% | $219,900 |
| Red Cross | 903 | $64,500 | 7.7% | $257,000 |
| Misenheimer | 659 | $60,417 | 21.9% | $225,000 |
| New London | 608 | $61,875 | 18.7% | $296,200 |
| Millingport | 522 | $84,464 | 2.9% | $209,900 |
| Aquadale | 156 | $69,063 | 0.0% | $156,300 |
Cities Similar to Albemarle
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eden | 15,356 | $47,260 | $120,700 | 11.9% | 19.2% |
| Morganton | 17,646 | $51,355 | $221,700 | 26.1% | 25.7% |
| Lenoir | 18,299 | $49,910 | $179,400 | 21.2% | 14.6% |
| Hendersonville | 15,408 | $53,449 | $317,000 | 38.1% | 14.5% |
| Laurinburg | 15,087 | $42,170 | $134,200 | 20.1% | 31.1% |
Population Overview
Albemarle is a small city located in North Carolina, within Stanly County. The total population is 16,762. It ranks as the 64th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Albemarle is 39.5 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Albemarle is $46,881. This is 35% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.9%. This is 91% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $204,800. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 56.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Albemarle is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 25.3%.
Education
20.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Albemarle, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Albemarle, North Carolina?
Albemarle, North Carolina has a population of 16,762 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Albemarle, NC?
The median household income in Albemarle is $46,881, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Albemarle, NC?
The poverty rate in Albemarle is 24.9%. This means approximately 4,016 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Albemarle, North Carolina?
Albemarle's population is 62.1% White, 25.3% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Albemarle, NC?
The median home value in Albemarle is $204,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Albemarle, North Carolina?
20.4% of adults (25+) in Albemarle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.