Earl, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Earl, North Carolina had a total population of 309, the 656th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $44,033, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 4.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Earl Quick Facts
How Earl 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 | 367 | 309 | -15.8% |
| Median household income | $42,287 | $44,033 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $160,900 | $163,400 | +1.6% |
How Earl 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+)
Earl Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Cleveland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby | 22,100 | $48,376 | 17.6% | $197,200 |
| Boiling Springs | 4,757 | $89,875 | 2.2% | $265,400 |
| Belwood | 893 | $51,299 | 14.8% | $214,500 |
| Patterson Springs | 845 | $58,250 | 23.2% | $142,200 |
| Lawndale | 739 | $39,250 | 23.3% | $116,800 |
| Grover | 621 | $36,736 | 17.9% | $127,800 |
| Fallston | 616 | $56,250 | 29.5% | $88,600 |
| Polkville | 536 | $74,688 | 10.1% | $179,500 |
| Lattimore | 526 | $81,250 | 4.6% | $169,700 |
| Kingstown | 381 | $30,750 | 21.8% | $92,400 |
Cities Similar to Earl
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walstonburg | 313 | $42,500 | $95,000 | 22.1% | 11.8% |
| Cerro Gordo | 319 | N/A | $189,900 | 5.0% | 25.1% |
| Hallsboro | 291 | N/A | $133,100 | 0.0% | 60.8% |
| Cofield | 300 | $41,250 | $82,100 | 17.7% | 25.3% |
| Hiddenite | 290 | N/A | N/A | 14.7% | 28.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 309, Earl'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
Earl is a small community located in North Carolina, within Cleveland County. The total population is 309. It ranks as the 656th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Earl is 59.0 years. This is 51% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 3.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Earl is $44,033. This is 39% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.4%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 6% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $163,400. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 80.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Earl is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.2%.
Education
4.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 87% 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 93.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Earl, 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 Earl, North Carolina?
Earl, North Carolina has a population of 309 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Earl, NC?
The median household income in Earl is $44,033, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Earl, NC?
The poverty rate in Earl is 19.4%. This means approximately 60 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Earl, North Carolina?
Earl's population is 72.8% White, 11.3% Black, 14.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Earl, NC?
The median home value in Earl is $163,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Earl, North Carolina?
4.6% of adults (25+) in Earl hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.