Alexander County, North Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Alexander County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 36,440. It is the 67th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Alexander County is 43.8 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Alexander County is $65,268. This is 7% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 17% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.1%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $190,000. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Alexander County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Alexander County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.3%. The Black or African American population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 20.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.3%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

15.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.6%.