Polkton town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Polkton town is a small community located in North Carolina. The total population is 2,759. It ranks as the 272nd most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Polkton town is 39.0 years. This is about average than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 11.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Polkton town is $45,625. This is 35% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 42% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.1%. This is 114% 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 3.4%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $134,100. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Polkton town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 44.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Polkton town is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 42.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (42.1% vs 20.3%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

2.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 93% 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 79.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Polkton 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.