Catawba, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Catawba, North Carolina had a total population of 628, the 547th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $47,250, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Catawba Quick Facts
How Catawba 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 | 632 | 628 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $44,659 | $47,250 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $138,100 | $163,000 | +18.0% |
How Catawba 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+)
Catawba Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Catawba County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory | 44,258 | $64,576 | 17.1% | $278,400 |
| Newton | 13,333 | $62,015 | 12.0% | $186,300 |
| Lake Norman of Catawba | 9,906 | $112,656 | 4.2% | $492,600 |
| St. Stephens | 9,457 | $60,394 | 16.3% | $213,300 |
| Conover | 8,580 | $65,972 | 15.7% | $271,300 |
| Long View | 5,011 | $46,739 | 11.3% | $157,300 |
| Mountain View | 3,982 | $71,792 | 20.4% | $222,500 |
| Maiden | 3,788 | $75,511 | 19.7% | $233,800 |
| Claremont | 1,922 | $66,667 | 7.0% | $255,300 |
| Brookford | 390 | N/A | 19.0% | $131,300 |
Cities Similar to Catawba
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexis | 635 | N/A | $196,000 | 6.8% | 0.0% |
| Ansonville | 651 | $48,750 | $92,400 | 5.4% | 13.5% |
| Potters Hill | 595 | N/A | $112,800 | 13.1% | 37.6% |
| Riegelwood | 649 | $49,583 | $200,300 | 4.2% | 11.3% |
| Winton | 593 | $48,036 | $86,100 | 11.7% | 24.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 628, Catawba'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
Catawba is a small community located in North Carolina, within Catawba County. The total population is 628. It ranks as the 547th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Catawba is 35.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Catawba is $47,250. This is 35% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.4%. This is 64% 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 6.7%. This is 41% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $163,000. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 71.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Catawba is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.8%.
Education
11.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 79.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Catawba, 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 Catawba, North Carolina?
Catawba, North Carolina has a population of 628 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Catawba, NC?
The median household income in Catawba is $47,250, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Catawba, NC?
The poverty rate in Catawba is 21.4%. This means approximately 132 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Catawba, North Carolina?
Catawba's population is 70.4% White, 18.8% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Catawba, NC?
The median home value in Catawba is $163,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Catawba, North Carolina?
11.1% of adults (25+) in Catawba hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.