Horse Shoe, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Horse Shoe, North Carolina had a total population of 1,490, the 391st largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $64,096, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.5%.
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 4.5% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- Unemployment rate of 10.8% is notably above the national average.
Horse Shoe Quick Facts
How Horse Shoe 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 | 1,699 | 1,490 | -12.3% |
| Median household income | $67,703 | $64,096 | -5.3% |
| Median home value | $396,400 | $407,500 | +2.8% |
How Horse Shoe 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+)
Horse Shoe Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Henderson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendersonville | 15,408 | $53,449 | 14.5% | $317,000 |
| Fletcher | 8,098 | $75,272 | 7.6% | $331,100 |
| Etowah | 7,968 | $72,596 | 14.4% | $338,100 |
| Mills River | 7,281 | $105,398 | 2.6% | $436,100 |
| East Flat Rock | 6,323 | $59,583 | 12.6% | $245,900 |
| Dana | 4,147 | $60,450 | 24.7% | $249,700 |
| Flat Rock | 3,530 | $95,098 | 7.6% | $601,700 |
| Mountain Home | 3,437 | $83,083 | 11.9% | $400,000 |
| Edneyville | 2,716 | $53,818 | 22.3% | $286,400 |
| Valley Hill | 2,675 | $86,599 | 7.9% | $353,100 |
Cities Similar to Horse Shoe
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hope | 1,487 | $58,667 | $162,800 | 40.6% | 8.6% |
| Pinetops | 1,426 | $60,458 | $136,500 | 17.0% | 13.1% |
| Efland | 1,611 | $65,735 | $234,600 | 26.6% | 5.1% |
| Pumpkin Center | 1,636 | $64,102 | $189,600 | 23.5% | 2.9% |
| Boonville | 1,593 | $68,145 | $165,400 | 21.5% | 16.0% |
Population Overview
Horse Shoe is a small community located in North Carolina, within Henderson County. The total population is 1,490. It ranks as the 391st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Horse Shoe is 55.2 years. This is 41% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 12.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 17.0% 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 Horse Shoe is $64,096. This is 11% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.5%. This is 65% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 10.8%. This is 129% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $407,500. Housing costs are 41% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 88.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Horse Shoe has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (92.2% vs 60.0%). The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.0%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
44.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% higher 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 97.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Horse Shoe, 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 Horse Shoe, North Carolina?
Horse Shoe, North Carolina has a population of 1,490 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Horse Shoe, NC?
The median household income in Horse Shoe is $64,096, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Horse Shoe, NC?
The poverty rate in Horse Shoe is 4.5%. This means approximately 67 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Horse Shoe, North Carolina?
Horse Shoe's population is 92.2% White, 0.9% Black, 5.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Horse Shoe, NC?
The median home value in Horse Shoe is $407,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.4x.
How educated is Horse Shoe, North Carolina?
44.7% of adults (25+) in Horse Shoe hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.