La Grange, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Grange, North Carolina had a total population of 2,756, the 274th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $48,078, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Unemployment rate of 14.7% is notably above the national average.
La Grange Quick Facts
How La Grange 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 | 2,692 | 2,756 | +2.4% |
| Median household income | $49,475 | $48,078 | -2.8% |
| Median home value | $78,500 | $83,800 | +6.8% |
How La Grange 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
La Grange Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Lenoir County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinston | 19,505 | $36,878 | 27.9% | $119,300 |
| Jackson Heights | 794 | $39,403 | 11.7% | $133,500 |
| Deep Run | 662 | $54,602 | 11.9% | $73,400 |
| Pink Hill | 527 | $46,635 | 24.9% | $99,300 |
| Graingers | 27 | $32,750 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to La Grange
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warsaw | 2,746 | $54,297 | $112,500 | 9.2% | 17.7% |
| Edneyville | 2,716 | $53,818 | $286,400 | 18.7% | 22.3% |
| Cajah's Mountain | 2,704 | $53,361 | $201,800 | 14.4% | 13.9% |
| Brogden | 2,733 | $42,074 | $96,400 | 4.5% | 31.1% |
| Emma | 2,657 | $43,907 | $92,300 | 20.8% | 11.3% |
Population Overview
La Grange is a small community located in North Carolina, within Lenoir County. The total population is 2,756. It ranks as the 274th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Grange is 35.3 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in La Grange is $48,078. This is 34% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.0%. This is 146% 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 14.7%. This is 212% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $83,800. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, La Grange is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in La Grange is Black or African American, making up 59.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 35.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (59.8% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
11.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 90.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Grange, 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 La Grange, North Carolina?
La Grange, North Carolina has a population of 2,756 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Grange, NC?
The median household income in La Grange is $48,078, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Grange, NC?
The poverty rate in La Grange is 32.0%. This means approximately 883 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Grange, North Carolina?
La Grange's population is 35.9% White, 59.8% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Grange, NC?
The median home value in La Grange is $83,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is La Grange, North Carolina?
11.8% of adults (25+) in La Grange hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.