Elkin, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elkin, North Carolina had a total population of 4,043, the 207th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $60,740, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Elkin Quick Facts
How Elkin 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 | 4,025 | 4,043 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $60,434 | $60,740 | +0.5% |
| Median home value | $187,200 | $226,900 | +21.2% |
How Elkin 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+)
Elkin Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Surry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Airy | 10,633 | $40,275 | 26.9% | $181,900 |
| Dobson | 1,652 | $43,750 | 22.4% | $173,900 |
| Pilot Mountain | 1,483 | $49,200 | 12.4% | $203,600 |
| Flat Rock | 1,062 | $42,018 | 11.9% | $95,400 |
| Toast | 893 | $35,111 | 14.0% | $104,800 |
| White Plains | 795 | $44,242 | 10.7% | $231,700 |
| Lowgap | 264 | $60,368 | 8.7% | $163,500 |
Cities Similar to Elkin
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dana | 4,147 | $60,450 | $249,700 | 24.0% | 24.7% |
| Tyro | 3,833 | $58,364 | $191,800 | 16.1% | 15.7% |
| Mountain View | 3,982 | $71,792 | $222,500 | 24.6% | 20.4% |
| Burgaw | 3,850 | $67,853 | $242,200 | 16.9% | 19.7% |
| Hudson | 3,772 | $65,268 | $223,000 | 22.4% | 13.7% |
Population Overview
Elkin is a small community located in North Carolina, within Surry County. The total population is 4,043. It ranks as the 207th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elkin is 41.6 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elkin is $60,740. This is 16% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.3%. This is 71% 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 5.0%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $226,900. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 60.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elkin is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 25.6%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (25.6% vs 11.3%).
Education
29.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% 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 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elkin, 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 Elkin, North Carolina?
Elkin, North Carolina has a population of 4,043 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elkin, NC?
The median household income in Elkin is $60,740, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elkin, NC?
The poverty rate in Elkin is 22.3%. This means approximately 855 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elkin, North Carolina?
Elkin's population is 69.7% White, 0.7% Black, 25.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elkin, NC?
The median home value in Elkin is $226,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Elkin, North Carolina?
29.8% of adults (25+) in Elkin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.