Emma, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Emma, North Carolina had a total population of 2,657, the 290th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $43,907, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Emma Quick Facts
How Emma 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 | 2,757 | 2,657 | -3.6% |
| Median household income | $40,964 | $43,907 | +7.2% |
| Median home value | $88,900 | $92,300 | +3.8% |
How Emma 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+)
Emma Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Buncombe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | 94,535 | $71,102 | 14.2% | $440,000 |
| Black Mountain | 8,513 | $77,042 | 5.9% | $358,900 |
| Woodfin | 8,048 | $71,384 | 14.1% | $366,700 |
| Swannanoa | 6,901 | $69,760 | 16.8% | $287,500 |
| Weaverville | 4,687 | $88,221 | 4.2% | $463,700 |
| Royal Pines | 4,325 | $107,885 | 1.5% | $400,200 |
| Avery Creek | 2,887 | $113,261 | 1.4% | $412,900 |
| Fairview | 2,298 | $92,132 | 25.1% | $439,600 |
| Biltmore Forest | 1,587 | $169,167 | 2.0% | $1,333,300 |
| Bent Creek | 1,384 | $72,176 | 15.6% | $404,000 |
Cities Similar to Emma
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sylva | 2,646 | $44,086 | $201,200 | 30.7% | 19.4% |
| Brogden | 2,733 | $42,074 | $96,400 | 4.5% | 31.1% |
| Liberty | 2,682 | $39,663 | $194,500 | 9.2% | 16.6% |
| Polkton | 2,555 | $47,059 | $130,100 | 2.5% | 30.4% |
| La Grange | 2,756 | $48,078 | $83,800 | 11.8% | 32.0% |
Population Overview
Emma is a small community located in North Carolina, within Buncombe County. The total population is 2,657. It ranks as the 290th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Emma is 29.7 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 29.5% of the population under 18, Emma has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Emma is $43,907. This is 39% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.3%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Emma, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $92,300. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Emma is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Emma is Hispanic or Latino, making up 63.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (63.8% vs 11.3%).
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 75.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Emma, 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 Emma, North Carolina?
Emma, North Carolina has a population of 2,657 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Emma, NC?
The median household income in Emma is $43,907, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Emma, NC?
The poverty rate in Emma is 11.3%. This means approximately 297 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Emma, North Carolina?
Emma's population is 34.8% White, 0.0% Black, 63.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Emma, NC?
The median home value in Emma is $92,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Emma, North Carolina?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Emma hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.