East Spencer, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Spencer, North Carolina had a total population of 1,434, the 396th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $34,417, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.8% is notably above the national average.
East Spencer Quick Facts
How East Spencer 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 | 1,309 | 1,434 | +9.5% |
| Median household income | $34,696 | $34,417 | -0.8% |
| Median home value | $108,500 | $112,000 | +3.2% |
How East Spencer 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+)
East Spencer Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Rowan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury | 35,825 | $53,716 | 26.3% | $242,500 |
| China Grove | 4,530 | $54,083 | 17.2% | $225,800 |
| Landis | 3,765 | $75,000 | 6.9% | $252,100 |
| Spencer | 3,349 | $65,465 | 11.2% | $201,700 |
| Enochville | 3,321 | $66,225 | 18.6% | $265,700 |
| Granite Quarry | 3,043 | $57,981 | 8.3% | $257,300 |
| Rockwell | 2,782 | $69,632 | 7.0% | $237,200 |
| Cleveland | 1,080 | $58,750 | 17.2% | $242,600 |
| Faith | 917 | $139,844 | 3.4% | $264,000 |
| Gold Hill | 914 | $73,187 | 12.4% | $279,600 |
Cities Similar to East Spencer
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Canton | 1,412 | $34,464 | $197,000 | 15.4% | 7.9% |
| Maury | 1,339 | N/A | N/A | 3.3% | 54.7% |
| Spring Hope | 1,387 | $38,393 | $161,000 | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| Belhaven | 1,577 | $32,644 | $103,000 | 12.6% | 40.3% |
| Buxton | 1,267 | N/A | $409,900 | 25.5% | 6.7% |
Population Overview
East Spencer is a small community located in North Carolina, within Rowan County. The total population is 1,434. It ranks as the 396th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Spencer is 51.0 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East Spencer is $34,417. This is 52% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.7%. This is 105% 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 12.8%. This is 170% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $112,000. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 52.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in East Spencer is Black or African American, making up 78.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 10.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.4%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (78.6% vs 20.0%).
Education
11.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 89.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East Spencer, 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 East Spencer, North Carolina?
East Spencer, North Carolina has a population of 1,434 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Spencer, NC?
The median household income in East Spencer is $34,417, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Spencer, NC?
The poverty rate in East Spencer is 26.7%. This means approximately 382 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Spencer, North Carolina?
East Spencer's population is 10.4% White, 78.6% Black, 8.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Spencer, NC?
The median home value in East Spencer is $112,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is East Spencer, North Carolina?
11.9% of adults (25+) in East Spencer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.