Bessemer City, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bessemer City, North Carolina had a total population of 5,580, the 157th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $60,300, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Bessemer City Quick Facts
How Bessemer City 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 | 5,508 | 5,580 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $48,784 | $60,300 | +23.6% |
| Median home value | $173,000 | $206,100 | +19.1% |
How Bessemer City 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bessemer City Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Gaston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastonia | 82,884 | $64,059 | 16.3% | $277,600 |
| Mount Holly | 18,208 | $79,385 | 8.2% | $337,800 |
| Belmont | 15,546 | $94,883 | 7.9% | $395,000 |
| Kings Mountain | 12,039 | $49,564 | 23.0% | $204,100 |
| Cherryville | 6,226 | $70,625 | 12.4% | $232,100 |
| Dallas | 6,104 | $58,403 | 10.5% | $254,000 |
| Cramerton | 5,450 | $82,160 | 6.3% | $343,400 |
| Ranlo | 4,617 | $78,033 | 5.5% | $200,200 |
| Stanley | 4,069 | $75,461 | 8.1% | $270,200 |
| Lowell | 3,768 | $52,500 | 17.4% | $200,600 |
Cities Similar to Bessemer City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | 5,729 | $61,000 | $205,300 | 16.4% | 16.9% |
| Northchase | 5,896 | $59,375 | $318,400 | 35.3% | 22.3% |
| Dallas | 6,104 | $58,403 | $254,000 | 21.2% | 10.5% |
| Mocksville | 6,068 | $55,367 | $240,700 | 24.7% | 19.2% |
| East Flat Rock | 6,323 | $59,583 | $245,900 | 17.3% | 12.6% |
Population Overview
Bessemer City is a small city located in North Carolina, within Gaston County. The total population is 5,580. It ranks as the 157th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bessemer 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 is $60,300. This is 17% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.4%. This is 26% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $206,100. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 66.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bessemer City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.0%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
16.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 83.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bessemer City, 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 Bessemer City, North Carolina?
Bessemer City, North Carolina has a population of 5,580 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bessemer City, NC?
The median household income in Bessemer City is $60,300, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bessemer City, NC?
The poverty rate in Bessemer City is 16.4%. This means approximately 915 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bessemer City, North Carolina?
Bessemer City's population is 74.9% White, 13.0% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bessemer City, NC?
The median home value in Bessemer City is $206,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Bessemer City, North Carolina?
16.1% of adults (25+) in Bessemer City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.