Cove Creek, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cove Creek, North Carolina had a total population of 1,629, the 376th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $52,847, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Cove Creek Quick Facts
How Cove Creek 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 | 1,533 | 1,629 | +6.3% |
| Median household income | $53,898 | $52,847 | -1.9% |
| Median home value | $247,700 | $295,700 | +19.4% |
How Cove Creek 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+)
Cove Creek Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Watauga County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boone | 20,032 | $30,065 | 51.2% | $411,100 |
| Foscoe | 1,226 | $49,243 | 22.3% | $325,800 |
| Beech Mountain | 987 | $90,855 | 6.4% | $443,500 |
| Seven Devils | 425 | $111,667 | 3.3% | $426,900 |
| Valle Crucis | 242 | N/A | 6.2% | $463,800 |
Cities Similar to Cove Creek
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpsburg | 1,605 | $54,709 | $121,900 | 8.2% | 19.3% |
| Hoopers Creek | 1,683 | $52,315 | $345,900 | 21.6% | 18.4% |
| Nebo | 1,670 | $50,139 | $129,800 | 6.8% | 16.9% |
| Weldon | 1,642 | $48,350 | $100,500 | 17.9% | 17.5% |
| Bethel | 1,544 | $52,961 | $107,800 | 14.8% | 16.8% |
Population Overview
Cove Creek is a small community located in North Carolina, within Watauga County. The total population is 1,629. It ranks as the 376th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cove Creek is 49.3 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cove Creek is $52,847. This is 27% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.6%. This is 73% 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 1.0%. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $295,700. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 81.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cove Creek has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.0%.
Education
29.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 89.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cove Creek, 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.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cove Creek, North Carolina?
Cove Creek, North Carolina has a population of 1,629 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cove Creek, NC?
The median household income in Cove Creek is $52,847, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cove Creek, NC?
The poverty rate in Cove Creek is 22.6%. This means approximately 368 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cove Creek, North Carolina?
Cove Creek's population is 86.7% White, 0.0% Black, 13.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cove Creek, NC?
The median home value in Cove Creek is $295,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is Cove Creek, North Carolina?
29.2% of adults (25+) in Cove Creek hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.