Polkville, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Polkville, North Carolina had a total population of 536, the 576th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $74,688, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Polkville Quick Facts
How Polkville 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 | 542 | 536 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $66,607 | $74,688 | +12.1% |
| Median home value | $155,600 | $179,500 | +15.4% |
How Polkville 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Polkville Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Cleveland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby | 22,100 | $48,376 | 17.6% | $197,200 |
| Boiling Springs | 4,757 | $89,875 | 2.2% | $265,400 |
| Belwood | 893 | $51,299 | 14.8% | $214,500 |
| Patterson Springs | 845 | $58,250 | 23.2% | $142,200 |
| Lawndale | 739 | $39,250 | 23.3% | $116,800 |
| Grover | 621 | $36,736 | 17.9% | $127,800 |
| Fallston | 616 | $56,250 | 29.5% | $88,600 |
| Lattimore | 526 | $81,250 | 4.6% | $169,700 |
| Kingstown | 381 | $30,750 | 21.8% | $92,400 |
| Casar | 373 | $60,875 | 28.7% | $215,400 |
Cities Similar to Polkville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Helena | 544 | $75,313 | $215,600 | 25.9% | 20.6% |
| Sims | 522 | $78,267 | $196,900 | 14.6% | 3.8% |
| Coinjock | 543 | $68,861 | $225,700 | 43.6% | 27.6% |
| Wade | 518 | $70,938 | $215,000 | 16.6% | 19.3% |
| Lattimore | 526 | $81,250 | $169,700 | 11.9% | 4.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 536, Polkville's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Polkville is a small community located in North Carolina, within Cleveland County. The total population is 536. It ranks as the 576th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Polkville is 38.6 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Polkville is $74,688. This is 3% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.1%. This is 22% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.0%. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $179,500. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Polkville is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 86.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Polkville was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
26.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Polkville, 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 Polkville, North Carolina?
Polkville, North Carolina has a population of 536 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Polkville, NC?
The median household income in Polkville is $74,688, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Polkville, NC?
The poverty rate in Polkville is 10.1%. This means approximately 54 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Polkville, North Carolina?
Polkville's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Polkville, NC?
The median home value in Polkville is $179,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Polkville, North Carolina?
26.1% of adults (25+) in Polkville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.