Lowell, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lowell, North Carolina had a total population of 3,768, the 220th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $52,500, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Lowell Quick Facts
How Lowell 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 | 3,711 | 3,768 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $51,829 | $52,500 | +1.3% |
| Median home value | $152,200 | $200,600 | +31.8% |
How Lowell 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+)
Lowell Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Gaston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastonia | 82,884 | $64,059 | 16.3% | $277,600 |
| Mount Holly | 18,208 | $79,385 | 8.2% | $337,800 |
| Belmont | 15,546 | $94,883 | 7.9% | $395,000 |
| Kings Mountain | 12,039 | $49,564 | 23.0% | $204,100 |
| Cherryville | 6,226 | $70,625 | 12.4% | $232,100 |
| Dallas | 6,104 | $58,403 | 10.5% | $254,000 |
| Bessemer City | 5,580 | $60,300 | 16.4% | $206,100 |
| Cramerton | 5,450 | $82,160 | 6.3% | $343,400 |
| Ranlo | 4,617 | $78,033 | 5.5% | $200,200 |
| Stanley | 4,069 | $75,461 | 8.1% | $270,200 |
Cities Similar to Lowell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buies Creek | 3,746 | $53,933 | $361,500 | 64.5% | 40.7% |
| Tyro | 3,833 | $58,364 | $191,800 | 16.1% | 15.7% |
| Gamewell | 3,689 | $46,556 | $170,100 | 4.0% | 21.5% |
| Rutherfordton | 3,680 | $59,375 | $288,400 | 35.0% | 12.7% |
| Rural Hall | 3,466 | $51,054 | $189,600 | 27.1% | 9.4% |
Population Overview
Lowell is a small community located in North Carolina, within Gaston County. The total population is 3,768. It ranks as the 220th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lowell is 41.3 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lowell is $52,500. This is 27% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.4%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $200,600. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 73.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lowell is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.5%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
23.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 89.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lowell, 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 Lowell, North Carolina?
Lowell, North Carolina has a population of 3,768 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lowell, NC?
The median household income in Lowell is $52,500, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lowell, NC?
The poverty rate in Lowell is 17.4%. This means approximately 650 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lowell, North Carolina?
Lowell's population is 70.5% White, 13.5% Black, 12.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lowell, NC?
The median home value in Lowell is $200,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Lowell, North Carolina?
23.0% of adults (25+) in Lowell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.