High Shoals city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

High Shoals city is a small community located in North Carolina. The total population is 565. It ranks as the 566th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in High Shoals city is 31.7 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 35.4% of the population under 18, High Shoals city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in High Shoals city is $50,893. This is 27% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.5%. This is 71% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 4.3%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $145,700. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, High Shoals city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in High Shoals city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.8%. The Black or African American population (8.8%) is well below the state average of 20.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.0%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.

Education

14.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for High Shoals city, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.