Mars Hill, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mars Hill, North Carolina had a total population of 3,025, the 259th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $81,429, which is 12% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.3% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
Mars Hill Quick Facts
How Mars Hill 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 | 2,738 | 3,025 | +10.5% |
| Median household income | $77,826 | $81,429 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $295,700 | $294,700 | -0.3% |
How Mars Hill 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+)
Mars Hill Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall | 961 | $56,728 | 23.9% | $282,100 |
| Hot Springs | 567 | $44,688 | 18.9% | $179,200 |
Cities Similar to Mars Hill
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngsville | 3,011 | $86,528 | $434,100 | 43.9% | 14.3% |
| Carthage | 2,896 | $82,695 | $208,200 | 30.6% | 14.2% |
| Wallburg | 3,150 | $88,406 | $343,700 | 35.1% | 2.4% |
| Fairfield Harbour | 2,948 | $72,583 | $300,600 | 38.3% | 7.1% |
| Bayshore | 2,949 | $94,632 | $525,800 | 60.9% | 3.8% |
Population Overview
Mars Hill is a small community located in North Carolina, within Madison County. The total population is 3,025. It ranks as the 259th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mars Hill is 27.6 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mars Hill is $81,429. This is 12% 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 3.3%. This is 75% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $294,700. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 64.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Mars Hill has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.7%. The Black or African American population (6.7%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
48.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 95.5%. Notably, 22.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mars Hill, 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 Mars Hill, North Carolina?
Mars Hill, North Carolina has a population of 3,025 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mars Hill, NC?
The median household income in Mars Hill is $81,429, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mars Hill, NC?
The poverty rate in Mars Hill is 3.3%. This means approximately 79 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mars Hill, North Carolina?
Mars Hill's population is 85.1% White, 6.7% Black, 6.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mars Hill, NC?
The median home value in Mars Hill is $294,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Mars Hill, North Carolina?
48.0% of adults (25+) in Mars Hill hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.