Granite Falls, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Granite Falls, North Carolina had a total population of 4,929, the 169th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $56,917, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Granite Falls Quick Facts
How Granite Falls 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 | 4,921 | 4,929 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $74,250 | $56,917 | -23.3% |
| Median home value | $203,100 | $202,400 | -0.3% |
How Granite Falls 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+)
Granite Falls 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 |
| Hudson | 3,772 | $65,268 | 13.7% | $223,000 |
| Gamewell | 3,689 | $46,556 | 21.5% | $170,100 |
| 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 Granite Falls
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James City | 4,789 | $58,973 | $204,400 | 28.1% | 11.7% |
| Beaufort | 4,689 | $53,321 | $354,900 | 40.2% | 11.2% |
| Randleman | 4,644 | $53,456 | $184,700 | 14.0% | 32.6% |
| Valdese | 4,704 | $50,740 | $209,800 | 37.3% | 12.8% |
| Erwin | 4,687 | $50,701 | $161,100 | 17.3% | 12.2% |
Population Overview
Granite Falls is a small community located in North Carolina, within Caldwell County. The total population is 4,929. It ranks as the 169th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Granite Falls is 40.7 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Granite Falls is $56,917. This is 21% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.2%. This is 32% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $202,400. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 66.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Granite Falls is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.8%. The Black or African American population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
25.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 91.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Granite Falls, 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 Granite Falls, North Carolina?
Granite Falls, North Carolina has a population of 4,929 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Granite Falls, NC?
The median household income in Granite Falls is $56,917, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Granite Falls, NC?
The poverty rate in Granite Falls is 17.2%. This means approximately 817 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Granite Falls, North Carolina?
Granite Falls's population is 83.6% White, 3.6% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Granite Falls, NC?
The median home value in Granite Falls is $202,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Granite Falls, North Carolina?
25.6% of adults (25+) in Granite Falls hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.