Mills River, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mills River, North Carolina had a total population of 7,281, the 131st largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $105,398, which is 46% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.6% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
Mills River Quick Facts
How Mills River 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 | 7,214 | 7,281 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $88,359 | $105,398 | +19.3% |
| Median home value | $358,500 | $436,100 | +21.6% |
How Mills River 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+)
Mills River Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Henderson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendersonville | 15,408 | $53,449 | 14.5% | $317,000 |
| Fletcher | 8,098 | $75,272 | 7.6% | $331,100 |
| Etowah | 7,968 | $72,596 | 14.4% | $338,100 |
| East Flat Rock | 6,323 | $59,583 | 12.6% | $245,900 |
| Dana | 4,147 | $60,450 | 24.7% | $249,700 |
| Flat Rock | 3,530 | $95,098 | 7.6% | $601,700 |
| Mountain Home | 3,437 | $83,083 | 11.9% | $400,000 |
| Edneyville | 2,716 | $53,818 | 22.3% | $286,400 |
| Valley Hill | 2,675 | $86,599 | 7.9% | $353,100 |
| Laurel Park | 2,408 | $90,000 | 5.5% | $433,100 |
Cities Similar to Mills River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. James | 7,072 | $116,383 | $636,800 | 68.3% | 4.3% |
| Unionville | 6,954 | $96,028 | $336,200 | 25.8% | 9.4% |
| Porters Neck | 7,654 | $119,979 | $569,700 | 66.5% | 3.8% |
| Carolina Beach | 6,745 | $94,398 | $566,200 | 50.5% | 6.0% |
| Kill Devil Hills | 7,761 | $89,773 | $442,200 | 44.8% | 9.2% |
Population Overview
Mills River is a small city located in North Carolina, within Henderson County. The total population is 7,281. It ranks as the 131st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mills River is 46.4 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mills River is $105,398. This is 46% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 31% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.6%. This is 80% 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 2.8%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $436,100. Housing costs are 51% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 85.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mills River is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.9%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 20.0%.
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 94.4%. Notably, 18.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mills River, 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 Mills River, North Carolina?
Mills River, North Carolina has a population of 7,281 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mills River, NC?
The median household income in Mills River is $105,398, which is 31% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mills River, NC?
The poverty rate in Mills River is 2.6%. This means approximately 186 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mills River, North Carolina?
Mills River's population is 79.8% White, 1.8% Black, 8.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mills River, NC?
The median home value in Mills River is $436,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Mills River, North Carolina?
43.7% of adults (25+) in Mills River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.