Leland, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Leland, North Carolina had a total population of 29,607, the 38th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $91,977, which is 27% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Leland Quick Facts
How Leland 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 | 26,307 | 29,607 | +12.5% |
| Median household income | $88,576 | $91,977 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $358,800 | $398,900 | +11.2% |
How Leland 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+)
Leland Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Brunswick County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Island | 9,030 | $85,872 | 8.7% | $456,500 |
| St. James | 7,072 | $116,383 | 4.3% | $636,800 |
| Boiling Spring Lakes | 6,347 | $62,676 | 8.6% | $292,300 |
| Carolina Shores | 5,017 | $76,087 | 4.0% | $288,600 |
| Shallotte | 4,639 | $88,367 | 10.3% | $349,500 |
| Sunset Beach | 4,351 | $81,976 | 5.8% | $410,900 |
| Southport | 4,205 | $87,641 | 6.4% | $437,700 |
| Belville | 2,573 | $81,944 | 10.7% | $282,600 |
| Calabash | 2,377 | $65,310 | 17.6% | $253,200 |
| Navassa | 2,039 | $62,000 | 9.2% | $187,100 |
Cities Similar to Leland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton | 29,320 | $78,822 | $329,600 | 40.4% | 5.9% |
| Matthews | 30,577 | $108,611 | $445,100 | 55.2% | 3.7% |
| Mint Hill | 27,556 | $100,860 | $428,900 | 40.4% | 8.4% |
| Kernersville | 27,830 | $71,918 | $290,700 | 37.0% | 12.6% |
| Cornelius | 32,783 | $113,767 | $559,400 | 62.2% | 5.4% |
Population Overview
Leland is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Brunswick County. The total population is 29,607. It ranks as the 38th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Leland is 47.3 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Leland is $91,977. This is 27% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 14% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.1%. This is 53% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 1% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $398,900. Housing costs are 38% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 80.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Leland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 7.7%. The Black or African American population (7.7%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
43.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Leland, 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 Leland, North Carolina?
Leland, North Carolina has a population of 29,607 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Leland, NC?
The median household income in Leland is $91,977, which is 14% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Leland, NC?
The poverty rate in Leland is 6.1%. This means approximately 1,797 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Leland, North Carolina?
Leland's population is 83.0% White, 7.7% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Leland, NC?
The median home value in Leland is $398,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Leland, North Carolina?
43.7% of adults (25+) in Leland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.