Lake Lure, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Lure, North Carolina had a total population of 1,543, the 387th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $80,357, which is 11% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 57.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.8x the median household income.
Lake Lure Quick Facts
How Lake Lure 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 | 1,488 | 1,543 | +3.7% |
| Median household income | $72,813 | $80,357 | +10.4% |
| Median home value | $510,300 | $627,000 | +22.9% |
How Lake Lure 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+)
Lake Lure Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Rutherford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest City | 7,363 | $35,524 | 32.1% | $160,800 |
| Spindale | 4,131 | $41,262 | 21.8% | $167,400 |
| Rutherfordton | 3,680 | $59,375 | 12.7% | $288,400 |
| Ellenboro | 901 | $49,769 | 18.3% | $164,400 |
| Ruth | 510 | $51,250 | 35.7% | $138,300 |
| Cliffside | 438 | $51,438 | 7.1% | N/A |
| Bostic | 433 | $57,813 | 17.8% | $171,900 |
| Henrietta | 197 | N/A | 20.8% | $162,500 |
| Chimney Rock Village | 122 | $64,375 | 8.2% | $477,300 |
| Caroleen | 116 | N/A | 29.3% | $137,500 |
Cities Similar to Lake Lure
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanfield | 1,522 | $79,250 | $335,800 | 19.0% | 9.3% |
| Southmont | 1,525 | $91,307 | $424,100 | 53.4% | 15.4% |
| Banner Elk | 1,473 | $86,382 | $458,100 | 52.5% | 13.0% |
| Vass | 1,644 | $73,581 | $257,500 | 28.8% | 6.7% |
| Boonville | 1,593 | $68,145 | $165,400 | 21.5% | 16.0% |
Population Overview
Lake Lure is a small community located in North Carolina, within Rutherford County. The total population is 1,543. It ranks as the 387th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Lure is 61.7 years. This is 58% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 8.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 17.3% 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 Lake Lure is $80,357. This is 11% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.5%. This is 12% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $627,000. Housing costs are 117% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 88.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake Lure is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.1%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 20.0%.
Education
57.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Lake Lure in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 62% 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 97.3%. Notably, 20.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Lure, 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 Lake Lure, North Carolina?
Lake Lure, North Carolina has a population of 1,543 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Lure, NC?
The median household income in Lake Lure is $80,357, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Lure, NC?
The poverty rate in Lake Lure is 11.5%. This means approximately 177 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Lure, North Carolina?
Lake Lure's population is 84.4% White, 1.0% Black, 7.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Lure, NC?
The median home value in Lake Lure is $627,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.8x.
How educated is Lake Lure, North Carolina?
57.9% of adults (25+) in Lake Lure hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.