Drexel, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Drexel, North Carolina had a total population of 2,146, the 331st largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $61,992, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 13.7% is notably above the national average.
Drexel Quick Facts
How Drexel 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 | 1,862 | 2,146 | +15.3% |
| Median household income | $58,824 | $61,992 | +5.4% |
| Median home value | $204,600 | $214,400 | +4.8% |
How Drexel 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+)
Drexel Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Burke County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morganton | 17,646 | $51,355 | 25.7% | $221,700 |
| Valdese | 4,704 | $50,740 | 12.8% | $209,800 |
| Connelly Springs | 2,427 | $54,620 | 9.2% | $206,500 |
| Salem | 2,377 | $68,988 | 19.1% | $159,100 |
| Hildebran | 2,207 | $55,703 | 21.1% | $193,900 |
| Icard | 2,153 | $44,641 | 18.4% | $141,800 |
| Glen Alpine | 1,991 | $69,697 | 11.0% | $172,800 |
| Rutherford College | 1,374 | $67,500 | 7.7% | $185,600 |
| Rhodhiss | 1,166 | $63,125 | 10.4% | $134,700 |
Cities Similar to Drexel
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navassa | 2,039 | $62,000 | $187,100 | 16.7% | 9.2% |
| Grandy | 2,245 | $62,847 | $306,000 | 22.6% | 6.9% |
| Maggie Valley | 2,112 | $68,125 | $320,500 | 30.9% | 14.6% |
| Hildebran | 2,207 | $55,703 | $193,900 | 13.7% | 21.1% |
| Cherokee | 2,059 | $55,972 | $189,900 | 24.5% | 21.3% |
Population Overview
Drexel is a small community located in North Carolina, within Burke County. The total population is 2,146. It ranks as the 331st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Drexel is 47.2 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Drexel is $61,992. This is 14% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 13.7%. This is 189% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $214,400. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 72.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Drexel is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.0%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 20.0%.
Education
23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 84.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Drexel, 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 Drexel, North Carolina?
Drexel, North Carolina has a population of 2,146 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Drexel, NC?
The median household income in Drexel is $61,992, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Drexel, NC?
The poverty rate in Drexel is 11.7%. This means approximately 239 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Drexel, North Carolina?
Drexel's population is 80.3% White, 1.7% Black, 9.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Drexel, NC?
The median home value in Drexel is $214,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Drexel, North Carolina?
23.2% of adults (25+) in Drexel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.