Gamewell, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gamewell, North Carolina had a total population of 3,689, the 225th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $46,556, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 4.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Gamewell Quick Facts
How Gamewell 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 | 3,701 | 3,689 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $55,977 | $46,556 | -16.8% |
| Median home value | $154,100 | $170,100 | +10.4% |
How Gamewell 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+)
Gamewell Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Caldwell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenoir | 18,299 | $49,910 | 14.6% | $179,400 |
| Sawmills | 5,042 | $71,067 | 9.9% | $219,600 |
| Granite Falls | 4,929 | $56,917 | 17.2% | $202,400 |
| Hudson | 3,772 | $65,268 | 13.7% | $223,000 |
| Cajah's Mountain | 2,704 | $53,361 | 13.9% | $201,800 |
| Northlakes | 1,716 | $101,250 | 2.0% | $366,500 |
| Blowing Rock | 992 | $120,938 | 2.4% | $705,000 |
| Cedar Rock | 306 | $95,625 | 2.0% | $424,500 |
Cities Similar to Gamewell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkesboro | 3,646 | $40,907 | $223,700 | 24.5% | 22.6% |
| Lowell | 3,768 | $52,500 | $200,600 | 23.0% | 17.4% |
| Buies Creek | 3,746 | $53,933 | $361,500 | 64.5% | 40.7% |
| River Road | 3,366 | $46,352 | $232,800 | 26.5% | 22.3% |
| Rural Hall | 3,466 | $51,054 | $189,600 | 27.1% | 9.4% |
Population Overview
Gamewell is a small community located in North Carolina, within Caldwell County. The total population is 3,689. It ranks as the 225th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gamewell is 46.7 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gamewell is $46,556. This is 36% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.5%. This is 65% 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 5.7%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $170,100. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 61.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gamewell is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.8%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 20.0%.
Education
4.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 89% 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 80.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gamewell, 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 Gamewell, North Carolina?
Gamewell, North Carolina has a population of 3,689 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gamewell, NC?
The median household income in Gamewell is $46,556, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gamewell, NC?
The poverty rate in Gamewell is 21.5%. This means approximately 794 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gamewell, North Carolina?
Gamewell's population is 81.3% White, 0.2% Black, 14.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gamewell, NC?
The median home value in Gamewell is $170,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Gamewell, North Carolina?
4.0% of adults (25+) in Gamewell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.