Burnsville, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Burnsville, North Carolina had a total population of 2,082, the 336th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $50,997, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.8% is notably above the national average.
Burnsville Quick Facts
How Burnsville 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 | 2,143 | 2,082 | -2.8% |
| Median household income | $47,576 | $50,997 | +7.2% |
| Median home value | $223,800 | $243,500 | +8.8% |
How Burnsville 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+)
Burnsville Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Burnsville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mulberry | 2,037 | $51,919 | $172,400 | 19.1% | 11.7% |
| Cherokee | 2,059 | $55,972 | $189,900 | 24.5% | 21.3% |
| Badin | 2,184 | $53,145 | $160,200 | 12.3% | 19.6% |
| Biscoe | 2,116 | $45,190 | $128,700 | 9.4% | 34.9% |
| Walnut Cove | 2,115 | $44,815 | $217,300 | 22.7% | 18.4% |
Population Overview
Burnsville is a small community located in North Carolina, within Yancey County. The total population is 2,082. It ranks as the 336th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Burnsville is 43.2 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 14.1% 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 Burnsville is $50,997. This is 30% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.1%. This is 100% 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 10.8%. This is 130% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $243,500. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 48.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Burnsville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.3%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
25.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Burnsville, 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 Burnsville, North Carolina?
Burnsville, North Carolina has a population of 2,082 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Burnsville, NC?
The median household income in Burnsville is $50,997, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Burnsville, NC?
The poverty rate in Burnsville is 26.1%. This means approximately 515 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Burnsville, North Carolina?
Burnsville's population is 84.0% White, 1.7% Black, 11.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Burnsville, NC?
The median home value in Burnsville is $243,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Burnsville, North Carolina?
25.0% of adults (25+) in Burnsville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.