Bent Creek, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bent Creek, North Carolina had a total population of 1,384, the 402nd largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $72,176, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 15.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 12.5% is notably above the national average.
Bent Creek Quick Facts
How Bent Creek 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 | 1,854 | 1,384 | -25.4% |
| Median household income | $52,485 | $72,176 | +37.5% |
| Median home value | $377,500 | $404,000 | +7.0% |
How Bent Creek 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bent Creek Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Buncombe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | 94,535 | $71,102 | 14.2% | $440,000 |
| Black Mountain | 8,513 | $77,042 | 5.9% | $358,900 |
| Woodfin | 8,048 | $71,384 | 14.1% | $366,700 |
| Swannanoa | 6,901 | $69,760 | 16.8% | $287,500 |
| Weaverville | 4,687 | $88,221 | 4.2% | $463,700 |
| Royal Pines | 4,325 | $107,885 | 1.5% | $400,200 |
| Avery Creek | 2,887 | $113,261 | 1.4% | $412,900 |
| Emma | 2,657 | $43,907 | 11.3% | $92,300 |
| Fairview | 2,298 | $92,132 | 25.1% | $439,600 |
| Biltmore Forest | 1,587 | $169,167 | 2.0% | $1,333,300 |
Cities Similar to Bent Creek
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Point | 1,372 | $73,209 | $171,800 | 17.3% | 1.7% |
| Maury | 1,339 | N/A | N/A | 3.3% | 54.7% |
| Rutherford College | 1,374 | $67,500 | $185,600 | 26.3% | 7.7% |
| Buxton | 1,267 | N/A | $409,900 | 25.5% | 6.7% |
| Cordova | 1,372 | $60,952 | $155,000 | 8.9% | 46.7% |
Population Overview
Bent Creek is a small community located in North Carolina, within Buncombe County. The total population is 1,384. It ranks as the 402nd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bent Creek is 47.2 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 13.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bent Creek is $72,176. This is about the same as the state median of $72,388. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.6%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 12.5%. This is 165% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $404,000. Housing costs are 40% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 84.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bent Creek has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 99.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (99.2% vs 60.0%). The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
35.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% 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 85.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bent Creek, 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 Bent Creek, North Carolina?
Bent Creek, North Carolina has a population of 1,384 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bent Creek, NC?
The median household income in Bent Creek is $72,176, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bent Creek, NC?
The poverty rate in Bent Creek is 15.6%. This means approximately 215 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bent Creek, North Carolina?
Bent Creek's population is 99.2% White, 0.1% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bent Creek, NC?
The median home value in Bent Creek is $404,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is Bent Creek, North Carolina?
35.0% of adults (25+) in Bent Creek hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.