Haw River, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Haw River, North Carolina had a total population of 2,824, the 270th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $61,058, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.
Haw River Quick Facts
How Haw River 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 | 2,581 | 2,824 | +9.4% |
| Median household income | $67,366 | $61,058 | -9.4% |
| Median home value | $142,200 | $162,400 | +14.2% |
How Haw River 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Haw River Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Alamance County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mebane | 19,538 | $83,174 | 7.2% | $338,900 |
| Graham | 18,048 | $56,239 | 16.8% | $233,800 |
| Elon | 11,032 | $84,773 | 20.0% | $366,300 |
| Glen Raven | 3,506 | $63,173 | 16.7% | $224,000 |
| Green Level | 3,230 | $55,823 | 19.0% | $168,400 |
| Swepsonville | 2,517 | $100,559 | 4.1% | $311,200 |
| Saxapahaw | 1,301 | $59,000 | 15.1% | $194,000 |
| Alamance | 1,267 | $99,375 | 10.3% | $407,300 |
| Woodlawn | 1,085 | $72,734 | 0.0% | $327,600 |
| Ossipee | 795 | $70,417 | 14.2% | $125,700 |
Cities Similar to Haw River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson's Mills | 2,753 | $62,813 | $241,800 | 16.7% | 31.9% |
| Franklinton | 2,645 | $59,464 | $249,100 | 25.4% | 17.2% |
| Rockwell | 2,782 | $69,632 | $237,200 | 28.4% | 7.0% |
| Mar-Mac | 2,877 | $53,819 | $149,200 | 20.1% | 11.8% |
| Warsaw | 2,746 | $54,297 | $112,500 | 9.2% | 17.7% |
Population Overview
Haw River is a small community located in North Carolina, within Alamance County. The total population is 2,824. It ranks as the 270th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Haw River is 32.4 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Haw River is $61,058. This is 16% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.1%. This is 92% 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 1.7%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $162,400. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Haw River is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Haw River is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.9%. The Black or African American population (5.5%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.9% vs 11.3%). The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
24.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 89.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Haw River, 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 Haw River, North Carolina?
Haw River, North Carolina has a population of 2,824 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Haw River, NC?
The median household income in Haw River is $61,058, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Haw River, NC?
The poverty rate in Haw River is 25.1%. This means approximately 708 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Haw River, North Carolina?
Haw River's population is 58.4% White, 5.5% Black, 18.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Haw River, NC?
The median home value in Haw River is $162,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Haw River, North Carolina?
24.3% of adults (25+) in Haw River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.