High Shoals, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, High Shoals, North Carolina had a total population of 534, the 577th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $53,333, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
High Shoals Quick Facts
How High Shoals 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 | 565 | 534 | -5.5% |
| Median household income | $50,893 | $53,333 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $145,700 | $230,400 | +58.1% |
How High Shoals 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+)
High Shoals Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Gaston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastonia | 82,884 | $64,059 | 16.3% | $277,600 |
| Mount Holly | 18,208 | $79,385 | 8.2% | $337,800 |
| Belmont | 15,546 | $94,883 | 7.9% | $395,000 |
| Kings Mountain | 12,039 | $49,564 | 23.0% | $204,100 |
| Cherryville | 6,226 | $70,625 | 12.4% | $232,100 |
| Dallas | 6,104 | $58,403 | 10.5% | $254,000 |
| Bessemer City | 5,580 | $60,300 | 16.4% | $206,100 |
| Cramerton | 5,450 | $82,160 | 6.3% | $343,400 |
| Ranlo | 4,617 | $78,033 | 5.5% | $200,200 |
| Stanley | 4,069 | $75,461 | 8.1% | $270,200 |
Cities Similar to High Shoals
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parkton | 529 | $56,250 | $151,900 | 17.1% | 20.8% |
| Atlantic | 522 | $51,071 | $154,300 | 11.5% | 18.2% |
| Ruth | 510 | $51,250 | $138,300 | 14.3% | 35.7% |
| Pink Hill | 527 | $46,635 | $99,300 | 23.9% | 24.9% |
| Old Fort | 555 | $47,500 | $135,900 | 25.5% | 13.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 534, High Shoals's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
High Shoals is a small community located in North Carolina, within Gaston County. The total population is 534. It ranks as the 577th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in High Shoals is 30.5 years. This is 22% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 38.0% of the population under 18, High Shoals has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in High Shoals is $53,333. This is 26% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.2%. This is 78% 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 1.6%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $230,400. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 40.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in High Shoals is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 11.8%.
Education
10.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 71% 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 96.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for High Shoals, 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 High Shoals, North Carolina?
High Shoals, North Carolina has a population of 534 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in High Shoals, NC?
The median household income in High Shoals is $53,333, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in High Shoals, NC?
The poverty rate in High Shoals is 23.2%. This means approximately 124 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of High Shoals, North Carolina?
High Shoals's population is 77.1% White, 11.8% Black, 6.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in High Shoals, NC?
The median home value in High Shoals is $230,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is High Shoals, North Carolina?
10.4% of adults (25+) in High Shoals hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.