Bessemer City city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Bessemer City city, North Carolina has a total population of 5,508, the 155th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $48,784, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Bessemer City city Quick Facts
How Bessemer City city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bessemer City city Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Bessemer City city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angier town | 5,746 | $51,162 | $236,100 | 26.9% | 7.7% |
| Northchase CDP | 5,879 | $56,659 | $286,700 | 38.2% | 21.1% |
| Mocksville town | 6,001 | $55,544 | $210,900 | 26.0% | 19.9% |
| Long View town | 4,967 | $44,156 | $142,900 | 8.2% | 10.8% |
| Williamston town | 5,157 | $40,556 | $108,900 | 13.5% | 30.6% |
Population Overview
Bessemer City city is a small city located in North Carolina. The total population is 5,508. It ranks as the 155th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bessemer City city is 34.3 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bessemer City city is $48,784. This is 30% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $173,000. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 55.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bessemer City city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 11.0%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.
Education
14.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 82.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bessemer City city, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bessemer City city, North Carolina?
Bessemer City city, North Carolina has a population of 5,508 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bessemer City city, NC?
The median household income in Bessemer City city is $48,784, which is 38% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Bessemer City city, NC?
The poverty rate in Bessemer City city is 16.3%. This means approximately 899 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bessemer City city, North Carolina?
Bessemer City city's population is 78.7% White, 11.0% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bessemer City city, NC?
The median home value in Bessemer City city is $173,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Bessemer City city, North Carolina?
14.4% of adults (25+) in Bessemer City city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.