Polkton, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Polkton, North Carolina had a total population of 2,555, the 295th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $47,059, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 2.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Polkton Quick Facts
How Polkton 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 | 2,759 | 2,555 | -7.4% |
| Median household income | $45,625 | $47,059 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $134,100 | $130,100 | -3.0% |
How Polkton 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Polkton Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Anson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wadesboro | 4,972 | $42,667 | 27.4% | $153,200 |
| Lilesville | 971 | $41,389 | 10.5% | $116,200 |
| Ansonville | 651 | $48,750 | 13.5% | $92,400 |
| Peachland | 443 | $70,000 | 4.1% | $135,000 |
| Morven | 362 | $28,125 | 47.9% | $110,700 |
| McFarlan | 164 | N/A | 77.4% | $115,000 |
Cities Similar to Polkton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Rosemary | 2,475 | $47,466 | $86,800 | 14.7% | 19.8% |
| Sylva | 2,646 | $44,086 | $201,200 | 30.7% | 19.4% |
| Fruitland | 2,398 | $48,025 | $133,100 | 21.0% | 15.6% |
| Emma | 2,657 | $43,907 | $92,300 | 20.8% | 11.3% |
| La Grange | 2,756 | $48,078 | $83,800 | 11.8% | 32.0% |
Population Overview
Polkton is a small community located in North Carolina, within Anson County. The total population is 2,555. It ranks as the 295th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Polkton is 36.3 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Polkton is $47,059. This is 35% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.4%. This is 133% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. 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 2.5%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $130,100. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Polkton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Polkton is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (44.1% vs 20.0%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
2.5% 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 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Polkton, 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 Polkton, North Carolina?
Polkton, North Carolina has a population of 2,555 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Polkton, NC?
The median household income in Polkton is $47,059, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Polkton, NC?
The poverty rate in Polkton is 30.4%. This means approximately 349 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Polkton, North Carolina?
Polkton's population is 39.7% White, 44.1% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Polkton, NC?
The median home value in Polkton is $130,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Polkton, North Carolina?
2.5% of adults (25+) in Polkton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.