Gates County, North Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Gates County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 10,437. It is the 96th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Gates County is 47.7 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Gates County is $61,612. This is 12% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 22% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.8%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 9.0%. This is 86% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $163,900. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Gates County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Gates County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 31.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (31.1% vs 20.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.

Education

10.8% 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 69% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.6%.