Mount Holly, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mount Holly, North Carolina had a total population of 18,208, the 58th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $79,385, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Mount Holly Quick Facts
How Mount Holly 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 | 17,928 | 18,208 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $75,928 | $79,385 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $286,400 | $337,800 | +17.9% |
How Mount Holly 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+)
Mount Holly 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 |
| 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 |
| Lowell | 3,768 | $52,500 | 17.4% | $200,600 |
Cities Similar to Mount Holly
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mebane | 19,538 | $83,174 | $338,900 | 40.4% | 7.2% |
| Hope Mills | 17,939 | $65,774 | $190,600 | 23.4% | 14.1% |
| Murraysville | 16,339 | $81,167 | $320,700 | 45.7% | 4.5% |
| Southern Pines | 16,420 | $88,535 | $451,100 | 52.9% | 9.6% |
| Pinehurst | 18,256 | $109,802 | $476,600 | 60.9% | 4.3% |
Population Overview
Mount Holly is a small city located in North Carolina, within Gaston County. The total population is 18,208. It ranks as the 58th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mount Holly is 39.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mount Holly is $79,385. This is 10% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 2% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.2%. This is 37% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $337,800. Housing costs are 17% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 68.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mount Holly is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.4%.
Education
36.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 91.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mount Holly, 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 Mount Holly, North Carolina?
Mount Holly, North Carolina has a population of 18,208 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mount Holly, NC?
The median household income in Mount Holly is $79,385, which is 2% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mount Holly, NC?
The poverty rate in Mount Holly is 8.2%. This means approximately 1,491 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mount Holly, North Carolina?
Mount Holly's population is 65.4% White, 16.4% Black, 9.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mount Holly, NC?
The median home value in Mount Holly is $337,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Mount Holly, North Carolina?
36.7% of adults (25+) in Mount Holly hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.