Bolton town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Bolton town, North Carolina has a total population of 469, the 600th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $46,250, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 2.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
- Unemployment rate of 27.5% is notably above the national average.
Bolton town Quick Facts
How Bolton town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bolton town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Columbus County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chadbourn town | 1,347 | $19,853 | 50.8% | $100,300 |
| Bogue town | 800 | $88,043 | 3.1% | $251,200 |
| Fair Bluff town | 513 | $29,063 | 31.0% | $48,900 |
| Cerro Gordo town | 335 | N/A | 25.1% | $188,700 |
Cities Similar to Bolton town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreat town | 474 | N/A | N/A | 24.7% | 0.0% |
| Dublin town | 482 | N/A | $140,900 | 16.7% | 37.8% |
| Lewiston Woodville town | 466 | $48,333 | N/A | 21.9% | 24.1% |
| Ronda town | 468 | $49,018 | $114,200 | 17.5% | 19.2% |
| Hookerton town | 468 | $43,000 | $77,700 | 9.9% | 17.3% |
Population Overview
Bolton town is a small community located in North Carolina, within Columbus County. The total population is 469. It ranks as the 600th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bolton town is 38.4 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bolton town is $46,250. This is 34% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.7%. This is 80% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 27.5%. This is 470% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $125,000. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Bolton town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bolton town is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 20.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (20.0%) is well below the state average of 60.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (43.7% vs 20.3%).
Education
2.2% 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 94% 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 81.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bolton town, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bolton town, North Carolina?
Bolton town, North Carolina has a population of 469 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bolton town, NC?
The median household income in Bolton town is $46,250, which is 41% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Bolton town, NC?
The poverty rate in Bolton town is 23.7%. This means approximately 111 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bolton town, North Carolina?
Bolton town's population is 20.0% White, 43.7% Black, 10.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bolton town, NC?
The median home value in Bolton town is $125,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Bolton town, North Carolina?
2.2% of adults (25+) in Bolton town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.