Fruitland, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fruitland, North Carolina had a total population of 2,398, the 308th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $48,025, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
Fruitland Quick Facts
How Fruitland 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 | 2,417 | 2,398 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $46,113 | $48,025 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $136,500 | $133,100 | -2.5% |
How Fruitland 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fruitland Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Henderson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendersonville | 15,408 | $53,449 | 14.5% | $317,000 |
| Fletcher | 8,098 | $75,272 | 7.6% | $331,100 |
| Etowah | 7,968 | $72,596 | 14.4% | $338,100 |
| Mills River | 7,281 | $105,398 | 2.6% | $436,100 |
| East Flat Rock | 6,323 | $59,583 | 12.6% | $245,900 |
| Dana | 4,147 | $60,450 | 24.7% | $249,700 |
| Flat Rock | 3,530 | $95,098 | 7.6% | $601,700 |
| Mountain Home | 3,437 | $83,083 | 11.9% | $400,000 |
| Edneyville | 2,716 | $53,818 | 22.3% | $286,400 |
| Valley Hill | 2,675 | $86,599 | 7.9% | $353,100 |
Cities Similar to Fruitland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Rosemary | 2,475 | $47,466 | $86,800 | 14.7% | 19.8% |
| Norwood | 2,433 | $51,639 | $185,200 | 20.0% | 8.6% |
| Spruce Pine | 2,398 | $42,098 | $207,500 | 24.4% | 22.5% |
| Polkton | 2,555 | $47,059 | $130,100 | 2.5% | 30.4% |
| Connelly Springs | 2,427 | $54,620 | $206,500 | 15.3% | 9.2% |
Population Overview
Fruitland is a small community located in North Carolina, within Henderson County. The total population is 2,398. It ranks as the 308th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fruitland is 53.7 years. This is 37% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 13.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fruitland is $48,025. This is 34% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.6%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 69% 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 2.8x, Fruitland is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fruitland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.6%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 20.0%.
Education
21.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 85.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fruitland, 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 Fruitland, North Carolina?
Fruitland, North Carolina has a population of 2,398 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fruitland, NC?
The median household income in Fruitland is $48,025, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fruitland, NC?
The poverty rate in Fruitland is 15.6%. This means approximately 370 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fruitland, North Carolina?
Fruitland's population is 80.9% White, 0.5% Black, 15.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fruitland, NC?
The median home value in Fruitland is $133,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Fruitland, North Carolina?
21.0% of adults (25+) in Fruitland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.