Hays, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hays, North Carolina had a total population of 1,053, the 449th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $55,035, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.9% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
Hays Quick Facts
How Hays 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 | 1,355 | 1,053 | -22.3% |
| Median household income | $54,063 | $55,035 | +1.8% |
| Median home value | $158,900 | $183,800 | +15.7% |
How Hays 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+)
Hays Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wilkes County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Wilkesboro | 4,421 | $38,474 | 23.8% | $212,700 |
| Wilkesboro | 3,646 | $40,907 | 22.6% | $223,700 |
| Cricket | 2,317 | $39,859 | 27.0% | $140,600 |
| Mulberry | 2,037 | $51,919 | 11.7% | $172,400 |
| Fairplains | 1,803 | $38,585 | 36.3% | $140,200 |
| Millers Creek | 1,689 | $63,125 | 18.9% | $227,200 |
| Moravian Falls | 1,285 | $47,548 | 5.4% | $218,800 |
| Pleasant Hill | 793 | $52,381 | 7.1% | $147,800 |
| Ronda | 436 | $48,393 | 21.3% | $109,500 |
Cities Similar to Hays
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonnetsville | 1,063 | N/A | N/A | 5.1% | 62.8% |
| Springdale | 1,075 | $55,096 | $201,900 | 14.9% | 19.0% |
| Moncure | 1,039 | $54,076 | N/A | 11.7% | 1.1% |
| Harkers Island | 1,060 | $60,000 | $313,100 | 18.3% | 10.4% |
| Peletier | 1,009 | $55,893 | $208,500 | 26.6% | 9.8% |
Population Overview
Hays is a small community located in North Carolina, within Wilkes County. The total population is 1,053. It ranks as the 449th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hays is 48.2 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hays is $55,035. This is 24% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.9%. This is 62% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Hays, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $183,800. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 94.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hays is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.7%.
Education
16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 86.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hays, 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.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Hays, North Carolina?
Hays, North Carolina has a population of 1,053 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hays, NC?
The median household income in Hays is $55,035, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hays, NC?
The poverty rate in Hays is 4.9%. This means approximately 52 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hays, North Carolina?
Hays's population is 83.2% White, 0.0% Black, 16.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hays, NC?
The median home value in Hays is $183,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Hays, North Carolina?
16.9% of adults (25+) in Hays hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.