Elkin town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Elkin town, North Carolina has a total population of 4,025, the 205th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $60,434, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.0%.
Elkin town Quick Facts
How Elkin town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elkin town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Surry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin town | 4,221 | $43,991 | 21.6% | $190,600 |
| Dobson town | 1,521 | $44,531 | 16.1% | $168,300 |
Cities Similar to Elkin town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benson town | 4,144 | $65,614 | $176,000 | 20.8% | 32.9% |
| Hudson town | 3,777 | $61,600 | $196,200 | 25.4% | 17.5% |
| Wingate town | 4,169 | $65,208 | $217,700 | 32.5% | 17.7% |
| Rockfish CDP | 3,807 | $63,046 | $191,000 | 22.0% | 15.7% |
| Stanley town | 4,014 | $71,333 | $229,000 | 23.0% | 6.6% |
Population Overview
Elkin town is a small community located in North Carolina, within Surry County. The total population is 4,025. It ranks as the 205th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elkin town is 41.3 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elkin town is $60,434. This is 14% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 23% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.0%. This is 75% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 5.1%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $187,200. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 62.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elkin town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 29.0%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 20.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (29.0% vs 10.9%).
Education
28.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elkin town, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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 Elkin town, North Carolina?
Elkin town, North Carolina has a population of 4,025 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elkin town, NC?
The median household income in Elkin town is $60,434, which is 23% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Elkin town, NC?
The poverty rate in Elkin town is 23.0%. This means approximately 875 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elkin town, North Carolina?
Elkin town's population is 66.8% White, 0.7% Black, 29.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elkin town, NC?
The median home value in Elkin town is $187,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Elkin town, North Carolina?
28.0% of adults (25+) in Elkin town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.