Hayesville, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hayesville, North Carolina had a total population of 1,208, the 424th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $55,625, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Hayesville Quick Facts
How Hayesville 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 | 1,110 | 1,208 | +8.8% |
| Median household income | $52,875 | $55,625 | +5.2% |
| Median home value | $217,400 | $254,700 | +17.2% |
How Hayesville 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+)
Hayesville Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Hayesville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucama | 1,205 | $54,583 | $115,500 | 13.9% | 20.1% |
| Mount Gilead | 1,197 | $58,885 | $157,300 | 28.3% | 16.8% |
| Buxton | 1,267 | N/A | $409,900 | 25.5% | 6.7% |
| Candor | 1,160 | $57,639 | $164,900 | 12.6% | 28.2% |
| Foscoe | 1,226 | $49,243 | $325,800 | 39.9% | 22.3% |
Population Overview
Hayesville is a small community located in North Carolina, within Clay County. The total population is 1,208. It ranks as the 424th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hayesville is 35.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 35.4% of the population under 18, Hayesville has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hayesville is $55,625. This is 23% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.2%. This is 85% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Hayesville, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $254,700. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 59.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hayesville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (92.3% vs 60.0%). The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
19.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 83.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hayesville, 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 Hayesville, North Carolina?
Hayesville, North Carolina has a population of 1,208 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hayesville, NC?
The median household income in Hayesville is $55,625, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hayesville, NC?
The poverty rate in Hayesville is 24.2%. This means approximately 254 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hayesville, North Carolina?
Hayesville's population is 92.3% White, 1.8% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hayesville, NC?
The median home value in Hayesville is $254,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Hayesville, North Carolina?
19.3% of adults (25+) in Hayesville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.