Mount Airy city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Mount Airy city is a small city located in North Carolina. The total population is 10,631. It ranks as the 93rd most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Mount Airy city is 46.7 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 15.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Mount Airy city is $39,873. This is 43% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 49% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.1%. This is 106% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.1%. This is 27% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $176,600. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 56.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Mount Airy city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.1%. The Black or African American population (8.1%) is well below the state average of 20.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.

Education

24.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Mount Airy city, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.