Elroy, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elroy, North Carolina had a total population of 3,251, the 247th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $63,238, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Elroy Quick Facts
How Elroy 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 | 3,507 | 3,251 | -7.3% |
| Median household income | $54,375 | $63,238 | +16.3% |
| Median home value | $120,500 | $133,100 | +10.5% |
How Elroy 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elroy Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro | 34,383 | $48,540 | 22.8% | $200,400 |
| Mount Olive | 4,453 | $48,700 | 17.6% | $153,500 |
| Mar-Mac | 2,877 | $53,819 | 11.8% | $149,200 |
| Brogden | 2,733 | $42,074 | 31.1% | $96,400 |
| Dudley | 2,305 | $42,050 | 35.3% | $90,000 |
| New Hope | 1,487 | $58,667 | 8.6% | $162,800 |
| Walnut Creek | 1,422 | $166,250 | 6.6% | $468,700 |
| Fremont | 943 | $51,667 | 28.2% | $147,800 |
| Pikeville | 776 | $62,396 | 15.2% | $140,800 |
| Eureka | 224 | $66,250 | 8.9% | $122,900 |
Cities Similar to Elroy
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enochville | 3,321 | $66,225 | $265,700 | 11.2% | 18.6% |
| Lake Junaluska | 3,175 | $66,165 | $389,200 | 54.9% | 9.4% |
| Spencer | 3,349 | $65,465 | $201,700 | 25.6% | 11.2% |
| Bermuda Run | 3,211 | $69,301 | $347,600 | 47.3% | 4.6% |
| Green Level | 3,230 | $55,823 | $168,400 | 13.3% | 19.0% |
Population Overview
Elroy is a small community located in North Carolina, within Wayne County. The total population is 3,251. It ranks as the 247th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elroy is 45.0 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elroy is $63,238. This is 13% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.0%. This is 7% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $133,100. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Elroy is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elroy is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 28.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.3% vs 11.3%).
Education
15.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 84.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elroy, 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 Elroy, North Carolina?
Elroy, North Carolina has a population of 3,251 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elroy, NC?
The median household income in Elroy is $63,238, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elroy, NC?
The poverty rate in Elroy is 14.0%. This means approximately 455 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elroy, North Carolina?
Elroy's population is 48.7% White, 28.9% Black, 17.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elroy, NC?
The median home value in Elroy is $133,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Elroy, North Carolina?
15.8% of adults (25+) in Elroy hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.