Icard, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Icard, North Carolina had a total population of 2,153, the 328th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $44,641, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.9% is notably above the national average.
Icard Quick Facts
How Icard 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 | 2,291 | 2,153 | -6.0% |
| Median household income | $47,825 | $44,641 | -6.7% |
| Median home value | $136,600 | $141,800 | +3.8% |
How Icard 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+)
Icard Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Burke County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morganton | 17,646 | $51,355 | 25.7% | $221,700 |
| Valdese | 4,704 | $50,740 | 12.8% | $209,800 |
| Connelly Springs | 2,427 | $54,620 | 9.2% | $206,500 |
| Salem | 2,377 | $68,988 | 19.1% | $159,100 |
| Hildebran | 2,207 | $55,703 | 21.1% | $193,900 |
| Drexel | 2,146 | $61,992 | 11.7% | $214,400 |
| Glen Alpine | 1,991 | $69,697 | 11.0% | $172,800 |
| Rutherford College | 1,374 | $67,500 | 7.7% | $185,600 |
| Rhodhiss | 1,166 | $63,125 | 10.4% | $134,700 |
Cities Similar to Icard
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walnut Cove | 2,115 | $44,815 | $217,300 | 22.7% | 18.4% |
| Biscoe | 2,116 | $45,190 | $128,700 | 9.4% | 34.9% |
| Taylorsville | 2,201 | $39,423 | $237,300 | 15.0% | 27.7% |
| Dudley | 2,305 | $42,050 | $90,000 | 18.7% | 35.3% |
| Burnsville | 2,082 | $50,997 | $243,500 | 25.0% | 26.1% |
Population Overview
Icard is a small community located in North Carolina, within Burke County. The total population is 2,153. It ranks as the 328th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Icard is 43.4 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 14.3% 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 Icard is $44,641. This is 38% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.4%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 13.9%. This is 193% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $141,800. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 76.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Icard has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (95.7% vs 60.0%). The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
7.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 80% 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 81.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Icard, 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 Icard, North Carolina?
Icard, North Carolina has a population of 2,153 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Icard, NC?
The median household income in Icard is $44,641, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Icard, NC?
The poverty rate in Icard is 18.4%. This means approximately 381 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Icard, North Carolina?
Icard's population is 95.7% White, 1.6% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Icard, NC?
The median home value in Icard is $141,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Icard, North Carolina?
7.1% of adults (25+) in Icard hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.