Red Oak, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Red Oak, North Carolina had a total population of 3,405, the 239th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $90,214, which is 25% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.2% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
Red Oak Quick Facts
How Red Oak 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 | 3,372 | 3,405 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $81,464 | $90,214 | +10.7% |
| Median home value | $236,200 | $271,800 | +15.1% |
How Red Oak 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+)
Red Oak Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Nash County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | 54,297 | $55,534 | 19.7% | $165,700 |
| Nashville | 5,729 | $61,000 | 16.9% | $205,300 |
| Sharpsburg | 1,605 | $54,709 | 19.3% | $121,900 |
| Spring Hope | 1,387 | $38,393 | 11.1% | $161,000 |
| Elm City | 1,292 | $36,150 | 33.7% | $109,300 |
| Dortches | 1,158 | $74,500 | 9.4% | $247,600 |
| Middlesex | 867 | $48,281 | 12.7% | $216,900 |
| Whitakers | 494 | $48,869 | 10.5% | $148,300 |
| Bailey | 422 | $60,208 | 17.8% | $155,700 |
| Momeyer | 398 | $65,278 | 30.4% | $98,800 |
Cities Similar to Red Oak
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brices Creek | 3,415 | $85,723 | $338,700 | 33.4% | 3.4% |
| Mineral Springs | 3,314 | $91,500 | $389,900 | 35.2% | 4.2% |
| Mountain Home | 3,437 | $83,083 | $400,000 | 42.0% | 11.9% |
| Flat Rock | 3,530 | $95,098 | $601,700 | 66.0% | 7.6% |
| Nags Head | 3,160 | $91,264 | $490,800 | 50.9% | 2.4% |
Population Overview
Red Oak is a small community located in North Carolina, within Nash County. The total population is 3,405. It ranks as the 239th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Red Oak is 49.5 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Red Oak is $90,214. This is 25% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 12% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.2%. This is 83% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Red Oak, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $271,800. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 96.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Red Oak is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.8%.
Education
37.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 95.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Red Oak, 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 Red Oak, North Carolina?
Red Oak, North Carolina has a population of 3,405 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Red Oak, NC?
The median household income in Red Oak is $90,214, which is 12% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Red Oak, NC?
The poverty rate in Red Oak is 2.2%. This means approximately 74 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Red Oak, North Carolina?
Red Oak's population is 80.1% White, 10.8% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Red Oak, NC?
The median home value in Red Oak is $271,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Red Oak, North Carolina?
37.0% of adults (25+) in Red Oak hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.