Elm City, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elm City, North Carolina had a total population of 1,292, the 414th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $36,150, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
Elm City Quick Facts
How Elm City 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 | 1,173 | 1,292 | +10.1% |
| Median household income | $44,698 | $36,150 | -19.1% |
| Median home value | $106,600 | $109,300 | +2.5% |
How Elm City 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+)
Elm City Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Nash County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | 54,297 | $55,534 | 19.7% | $165,700 |
| Nashville | 5,729 | $61,000 | 16.9% | $205,300 |
| Red Oak | 3,405 | $90,214 | 2.2% | $271,800 |
| Sharpsburg | 1,605 | $54,709 | 19.3% | $121,900 |
| Spring Hope | 1,387 | $38,393 | 11.1% | $161,000 |
| Dortches | 1,158 | $74,500 | 9.4% | $247,600 |
| Middlesex | 867 | $48,281 | 12.7% | $216,900 |
| Whitakers | 494 | $48,869 | 10.5% | $148,300 |
| Bailey | 422 | $60,208 | 17.8% | $155,700 |
| Momeyer | 398 | $65,278 | 30.4% | $98,800 |
Cities Similar to Elm City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buxton | 1,267 | N/A | $409,900 | 25.5% | 6.7% |
| Beulaville | 1,307 | $37,188 | $147,000 | 28.1% | 26.5% |
| Star | 1,282 | $38,125 | $136,300 | 8.6% | 22.8% |
| Maury | 1,339 | N/A | N/A | 3.3% | 54.7% |
| Bayboro | 1,266 | $33,636 | $138,000 | 6.8% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
Elm City is a small community located in North Carolina, within Nash County. The total population is 1,292. It ranks as the 414th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elm City is 43.1 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elm City is $36,150. This is 50% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.7%. This is 158% 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 8.8%. This is 87% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $109,300. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 58.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elm City is Black or African American, making up 73.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 25.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (25.2%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (73.3% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
10.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 86.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elm City, 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 Elm City, North Carolina?
Elm City, North Carolina has a population of 1,292 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elm City, NC?
The median household income in Elm City is $36,150, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elm City, NC?
The poverty rate in Elm City is 33.7%. This means approximately 435 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elm City, North Carolina?
Elm City's population is 25.2% White, 73.3% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elm City, NC?
The median home value in Elm City is $109,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Elm City, North Carolina?
10.7% of adults (25+) in Elm City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.