Bolton, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bolton, North Carolina had a total population of 504, the 587th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $48,450, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 28.2% is notably above the national average.
Bolton Quick Facts
How Bolton 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 | 469 | 504 | +7.5% |
| Median household income | $46,250 | $48,450 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $125,000 | $146,700 | +17.4% |
How Bolton 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bolton Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Columbus County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteville | 4,696 | $31,167 | 20.7% | $187,500 |
| Tabor City | 3,777 | $38,714 | 32.9% | $115,900 |
| Lake Waccamaw | 1,770 | $72,500 | 9.3% | $305,900 |
| Chadbourn | 1,352 | $45,787 | 30.6% | $135,400 |
| Brunswick | 937 | $22,500 | 64.5% | $82,500 |
| Sandyfield | 763 | $41,667 | 29.6% | $69,100 |
| Fair Bluff | 695 | $31,389 | 28.3% | $101,400 |
| Riegelwood | 649 | $49,583 | 11.3% | $200,300 |
| Evergreen | 421 | N/A | 34.4% | N/A |
| Cerro Gordo | 319 | N/A | 25.1% | $189,900 |
Cities Similar to Bolton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitakers | 494 | $48,869 | $148,300 | 19.5% | 10.5% |
| Ruth | 510 | $51,250 | $138,300 | 14.3% | 35.7% |
| Atlantic | 522 | $51,071 | $154,300 | 11.5% | 18.2% |
| Pink Hill | 527 | $46,635 | $99,300 | 23.9% | 24.9% |
| Cove City | 504 | $41,522 | $81,700 | 29.0% | 11.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 504, Bolton's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Bolton is a small community located in North Carolina, within Columbus County. The total population is 504. It ranks as the 587th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bolton is 38.3 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bolton is $48,450. This is 33% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.6%. This is 89% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. 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 28.2%. This is 497% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $146,700. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 81.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bolton is Black or African American, making up 56.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 18.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (18.9%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (56.4% vs 20.0%).
Education
7.0% 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 80% 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 97.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bolton, 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 Bolton, North Carolina?
Bolton, North Carolina has a population of 504 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bolton, NC?
The median household income in Bolton is $48,450, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bolton, NC?
The poverty rate in Bolton is 24.6%. This means approximately 124 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bolton, North Carolina?
Bolton's population is 18.9% White, 56.4% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bolton, NC?
The median home value in Bolton is $146,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Bolton, North Carolina?
7.0% of adults (25+) in Bolton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.