Old Fort town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Old Fort town is a small community located in North Carolina, within McDowell County. The total population is 643. It ranks as the 544th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Old Fort town is 52.1 years. This is 33% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 13.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.4% 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 Old Fort town is $50,357. This is 28% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 36% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.0%. This is 6% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $121,400. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Old Fort town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 52.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Old Fort town has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.1%. The Black or African American population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 20.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.

Education

24.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 94.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Old Fort town, 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.