Ruffin, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ruffin, North Carolina had a total population of 423, the 617th largest community in North Carolina. The poverty rate is 6.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 3.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Ruffin Quick Facts
How Ruffin 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 | 501 | 423 | -15.6% |
How Ruffin 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ruffin Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Rockingham County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eden | 15,356 | $47,260 | 19.2% | $120,700 |
| Reidsville | 14,585 | $42,921 | 21.1% | $138,800 |
| Wentworth | 2,692 | $68,500 | 18.1% | $170,300 |
| Mayodan | 2,401 | $38,446 | 22.8% | $120,600 |
| Madison | 2,242 | $52,593 | 8.0% | $184,900 |
| Stoneville | 1,094 | $44,630 | 28.3% | $150,600 |
Cities Similar to Ruffin
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bailey | 422 | $60,208 | $155,700 | 14.8% | 17.8% |
| Seven Devils | 425 | $111,667 | $426,900 | 78.3% | 3.3% |
| Evergreen | 421 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 34.4% |
| Bridgeton | 427 | $38,929 | $165,500 | 20.1% | 34.9% |
| Teachey | 427 | $51,111 | $181,800 | 27.2% | 15.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 423, Ruffin'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
Ruffin is a small community located in North Carolina, within Rockingham County. The total population is 423. It ranks as the 617th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ruffin is 38.6 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 6.8%. This is 48% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Ruffin, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 76.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ruffin is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 3.8%. The Black or African American population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 20.0%.
Education
3.5% 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 90% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ruffin, 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.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ruffin, North Carolina?
Ruffin, North Carolina has a population of 423 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ruffin, NC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Ruffin — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ruffin, NC?
The poverty rate in Ruffin is 6.8%. This means approximately 28 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ruffin, North Carolina?
Ruffin's population is 64.8% White, 3.8% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ruffin, NC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Ruffin — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Ruffin, North Carolina?
3.5% of adults (25+) in Ruffin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.