Caroleen, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Caroleen, North Carolina had a total population of 116, the 744th largest community in North Carolina. The poverty rate is 29.3%.
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 (29.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Caroleen Quick Facts
How Caroleen 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 | 261 | 116 | -55.6% |
How Caroleen 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+)
Caroleen Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Rutherford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest City | 7,363 | $35,524 | 32.1% | $160,800 |
| Spindale | 4,131 | $41,262 | 21.8% | $167,400 |
| Rutherfordton | 3,680 | $59,375 | 12.7% | $288,400 |
| Lake Lure | 1,543 | $80,357 | 11.5% | $627,000 |
| Ellenboro | 901 | $49,769 | 18.3% | $164,400 |
| Ruth | 510 | $51,250 | 35.7% | $138,300 |
| Cliffside | 438 | $51,438 | 7.1% | N/A |
| Bostic | 433 | $57,813 | 17.8% | $171,900 |
| Henrietta | 197 | N/A | 20.8% | $162,500 |
| Chimney Rock Village | 122 | $64,375 | 8.2% | $477,300 |
Cities Similar to Caroleen
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crossnore | 115 | N/A | $314,300 | 38.1% | 0.0% |
| Falkland | 120 | $96,102 | $45,300 | 3.5% | 0.0% |
| Bowdens | 122 | $83,153 | N/A | 19.7% | 12.3% |
| Chimney Rock Village | 122 | $64,375 | $477,300 | 31.1% | 8.2% |
| Gerton | 110 | N/A | $414,800 | 23.6% | 21.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 116, Caroleen'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
Caroleen is a small community located in North Carolina, within Rutherford County. The total population is 116. It ranks as the 744th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Caroleen is 41.6 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 29.3%. This is 125% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Caroleen, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $137,500. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $288,900. 74.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Caroleen is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.8% of the population.
Education
0.0% 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. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Caroleen, 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 Caroleen, North Carolina?
Caroleen, North Carolina has a population of 116 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Caroleen, NC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Caroleen — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Caroleen, NC?
The poverty rate in Caroleen is 29.3%. This means approximately 34 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Caroleen, North Carolina?
Caroleen's population is 82.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Caroleen, NC?
The median home value in Caroleen is $137,500.
How educated is Caroleen, North Carolina?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Caroleen hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.