Saluda city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Saluda city is a small community located in North Carolina. The total population is 676. It ranks as the 535th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Saluda city is 60.0 years. This is 53% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 20.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Saluda city is $52,946. This is 24% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.8%. This is 43% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 45% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $321,000. Housing costs are 24% higher than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 85.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Saluda city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.9% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.8%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 20.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

50.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% higher 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 93.8%. Notably, 18.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Saluda city, 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.