Castalia, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Castalia, North Carolina had a total population of 247, the 683rd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $45,625, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x.
Castalia Quick Facts
How Castalia 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 | 223 | 247 | +10.8% |
How Castalia 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+)
Castalia Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Nash County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | 54,297 | $55,534 | 19.7% | $165,700 |
| Nashville | 5,729 | $61,000 | 16.9% | $205,300 |
| Red Oak | 3,405 | $90,214 | 2.2% | $271,800 |
| Sharpsburg | 1,605 | $54,709 | 19.3% | $121,900 |
| Spring Hope | 1,387 | $38,393 | 11.1% | $161,000 |
| Elm City | 1,292 | $36,150 | 33.7% | $109,300 |
| Dortches | 1,158 | $74,500 | 9.4% | $247,600 |
| Middlesex | 867 | $48,281 | 12.7% | $216,900 |
| Whitakers | 494 | $48,869 | 10.5% | $148,300 |
| Bailey | 422 | $60,208 | 17.8% | $155,700 |
Cities Similar to Castalia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valle Crucis | 242 | N/A | $463,800 | 78.3% | 6.2% |
| Bennett | 262 | N/A | $149,700 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Hamilton | 243 | $41,875 | $69,300 | 16.4% | 14.0% |
| South Mills | 230 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Belvoir | 272 | N/A | $144,400 | 0.0% | 6.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 247, Castalia'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
Castalia is a small community located in North Carolina, within Nash County. The total population is 247. It ranks as the 683rd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Castalia is 41.3 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Castalia is $45,625. This is 37% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.1%. This is 93% 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 7.2%. This is 53% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $52,500. Housing costs are 82% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Castalia is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Castalia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 42.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (42.1% vs 20.0%).
Education
14.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 78.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Castalia, 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 Castalia, North Carolina?
Castalia, North Carolina has a population of 247 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Castalia, NC?
The median household income in Castalia is $45,625, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Castalia, NC?
The poverty rate in Castalia is 25.1%. This means approximately 62 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Castalia, North Carolina?
Castalia's population is 55.9% White, 42.1% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Castalia, NC?
The median home value in Castalia is $52,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.2x.
How educated is Castalia, North Carolina?
14.1% of adults (25+) in Castalia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.