Linville, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Linville, North Carolina had a total population of 291, the 662nd largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $75,833, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 29.9% is notably above the national average.
Linville Quick Facts
How Linville 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 | 437 | 291 | -33.4% |
| Median household income | $72,759 | $75,833 | +4.2% |
How Linville 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+)
Linville Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Avery County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banner Elk | 1,473 | $86,382 | 13.0% | $458,100 |
| Newland | 866 | $46,006 | 22.3% | $241,700 |
| Elk Park | 560 | $41,583 | 33.4% | $160,400 |
| Sugar Mountain | 539 | $96,094 | 6.3% | $343,800 |
| Crossnore | 115 | N/A | 0.0% | $314,300 |
| Grandfather Village | 14 | $191,875 | 0.0% | $1,312,500 |
Cities Similar to Linville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hallsboro | 291 | N/A | $133,100 | 0.0% | 60.8% |
| Hiddenite | 290 | N/A | N/A | 14.7% | 28.2% |
| Raemon | 288 | $76,563 | $96,300 | 12.5% | 3.5% |
| Belvoir | 272 | N/A | $144,400 | 0.0% | 6.6% |
| Falcon | 272 | N/A | $204,200 | 24.7% | 44.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 291, Linville's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Linville is a small community located in North Carolina, within Avery County. The total population is 291. It ranks as the 662nd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Linville is 59.2 years. This is 51% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Linville is $75,833. This is 5% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 6% lower than the national median of $80,734. The ACS records no residents below the poverty line in Linville. In a community this small the estimate rests on very few survey responses, so it should be read as an absence of measurement rather than a measured absence of poverty. The unemployment rate is 29.9%. This is 535% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 50% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Linville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (92.4% vs 60.0%).
Education
18.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Linville, 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 Linville, North Carolina?
Linville, North Carolina has a population of 291 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Linville, NC?
The median household income in Linville is $75,833, which is 6% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Linville, NC?
The ACS sample for Linville recorded no residents below the federal poverty line. Because the community is small, this indicates that the survey did not capture poverty here rather than that no poverty exists — the estimate carries a wide margin of error.
What is the racial makeup of Linville, North Carolina?
Linville's population is 92.4% White, 0.0% Black, 7.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Linville, NC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Linville — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Linville, North Carolina?
18.3% of adults (25+) in Linville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.