Glen Alpine, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Glen Alpine, North Carolina had a total population of 1,991, the 344th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $69,697, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.0%.
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 2.5x.
Glen Alpine Quick Facts
How Glen Alpine 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 | 1,995 | 1,991 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $69,697 | +10.8% |
| Median home value | $173,200 | $172,800 | -0.2% |
How Glen Alpine 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+)
Glen Alpine Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Burke County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morganton | 17,646 | $51,355 | 25.7% | $221,700 |
| Valdese | 4,704 | $50,740 | 12.8% | $209,800 |
| Connelly Springs | 2,427 | $54,620 | 9.2% | $206,500 |
| Salem | 2,377 | $68,988 | 19.1% | $159,100 |
| Hildebran | 2,207 | $55,703 | 21.1% | $193,900 |
| Icard | 2,153 | $44,641 | 18.4% | $141,800 |
| Drexel | 2,146 | $61,992 | 11.7% | $214,400 |
| Rutherford College | 1,374 | $67,500 | 7.7% | $185,600 |
| Rhodhiss | 1,166 | $63,125 | 10.4% | $134,700 |
Cities Similar to Glen Alpine
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vander | 1,922 | $66,993 | $231,800 | 24.8% | 23.4% |
| Claremont | 1,922 | $66,667 | $255,300 | 26.1% | 7.0% |
| Pine Level | 2,031 | $75,263 | $221,000 | 24.5% | 8.0% |
| Hemby Bridge | 2,096 | $71,688 | $298,400 | 18.6% | 19.8% |
| Maggie Valley | 2,112 | $68,125 | $320,500 | 30.9% | 14.6% |
Population Overview
Glen Alpine is a small community located in North Carolina, within Burke County. The total population is 1,991. It ranks as the 344th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Glen Alpine is 36.6 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Glen Alpine is $69,697. This is 4% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.0%. This is 15% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 42% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $172,800. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Glen Alpine is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Glen Alpine is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.8%. The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 20.0%.
Education
27.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 88.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Glen Alpine, 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 Glen Alpine, North Carolina?
Glen Alpine, North Carolina has a population of 1,991 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Glen Alpine, NC?
The median household income in Glen Alpine is $69,697, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Glen Alpine, NC?
The poverty rate in Glen Alpine is 11.0%. This means approximately 216 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Glen Alpine, North Carolina?
Glen Alpine's population is 82.7% White, 2.5% Black, 5.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Glen Alpine, NC?
The median home value in Glen Alpine is $172,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Glen Alpine, North Carolina?
27.2% of adults (25+) in Glen Alpine hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.