Dortches, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dortches, North Carolina had a total population of 1,158, the 429th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $74,500, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.4%.
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 1.5%.
Dortches Quick Facts
How Dortches 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 | 1,317 | 1,158 | -12.1% |
| Median household income | $72,955 | $74,500 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $230,600 | $247,600 | +7.4% |
How Dortches 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dortches 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 |
| Middlesex | 867 | $48,281 | 12.7% | $216,900 |
| Whitakers | 494 | $48,869 | 10.5% | $148,300 |
| Bailey | 422 | $60,208 | 17.8% | $155,700 |
| Momeyer | 398 | $65,278 | 30.4% | $98,800 |
Cities Similar to Dortches
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balfour | 1,134 | $70,116 | $292,600 | 32.2% | 5.6% |
| Barker Ten Mile | 1,156 | $66,667 | $163,700 | 32.0% | 6.0% |
| Woodlawn | 1,085 | $72,734 | $327,600 | 26.3% | 0.0% |
| Bonnetsville | 1,063 | N/A | N/A | 5.1% | 62.8% |
| Rhodhiss | 1,166 | $63,125 | $134,700 | 8.6% | 10.4% |
Population Overview
Dortches is a small community located in North Carolina, within Nash County. The total population is 1,158. It ranks as the 429th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dortches is 43.7 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 10.4% 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 Dortches is $74,500. This is 3% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.4%. This is 28% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $247,600. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 83.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dortches is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 31.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (31.6% vs 20.0%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
24.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 95.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dortches, 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 Dortches, North Carolina?
Dortches, North Carolina has a population of 1,158 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dortches, NC?
The median household income in Dortches is $74,500, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dortches, NC?
The poverty rate in Dortches is 9.4%. This means approximately 108 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dortches, North Carolina?
Dortches's population is 55.0% White, 31.6% Black, 9.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dortches, NC?
The median home value in Dortches is $247,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Dortches, North Carolina?
24.6% of adults (25+) in Dortches hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.