Hope Mills, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hope Mills, North Carolina had a total population of 17,939, the 60th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $65,774, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Hope Mills Quick Facts
How Hope Mills 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 | 17,823 | 17,939 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $60,671 | $65,774 | +8.4% |
| Median home value | $176,300 | $190,600 | +8.1% |
How Hope Mills 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+)
Hope Mills Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Cumberland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | 210,815 | $58,407 | 17.7% | $188,000 |
| Spring Lake | 11,573 | $51,958 | 17.7% | $124,000 |
| Eastover | 3,666 | $85,156 | 13.4% | $241,600 |
| Vander | 1,922 | $66,993 | 23.4% | $231,800 |
| Stedman | 1,670 | $107,250 | 7.5% | $218,800 |
| Wade | 518 | $70,938 | 19.3% | $215,000 |
| Falcon | 272 | N/A | 44.5% | $204,200 |
| Godwin | 203 | $53,542 | 16.3% | $158,300 |
| Linden | 129 | $66,250 | 25.6% | $150,000 |
Cities Similar to Hope Mills
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Havelock | 17,691 | $58,408 | $207,700 | 18.7% | 14.3% |
| Graham | 18,048 | $56,239 | $233,800 | 24.7% | 16.8% |
| Mount Holly | 18,208 | $79,385 | $337,800 | 36.7% | 8.2% |
| Morganton | 17,646 | $51,355 | $221,700 | 26.1% | 25.7% |
| Lenoir | 18,299 | $49,910 | $179,400 | 21.2% | 14.6% |
Population Overview
Hope Mills is a small city located in North Carolina, within Cumberland County. The total population is 17,939. It ranks as the 60th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hope Mills is 34.0 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 28.3% of the population under 18, Hope Mills has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hope Mills is $65,774. This is 9% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.1%. This is 8% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 74% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $190,600. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Hope Mills is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Hope Mills is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 33.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (33.0% vs 20.0%).
Education
23.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 93.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hope Mills, 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 Hope Mills, North Carolina?
Hope Mills, North Carolina has a population of 17,939 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hope Mills, NC?
The median household income in Hope Mills is $65,774, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hope Mills, NC?
The poverty rate in Hope Mills is 14.1%. This means approximately 2,458 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hope Mills, North Carolina?
Hope Mills's population is 40.9% White, 33.0% Black, 16.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hope Mills, NC?
The median home value in Hope Mills is $190,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Hope Mills, North Carolina?
23.4% of adults (25+) in Hope Mills hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.