Sawmills, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sawmills, North Carolina had a total population of 5,042, the 164th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $71,067, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Sawmills Quick Facts
How Sawmills 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 | 5,027 | 5,042 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $56,534 | $71,067 | +25.7% |
| Median home value | $180,500 | $219,600 | +21.7% |
How Sawmills 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+)
Sawmills Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Caldwell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenoir | 18,299 | $49,910 | 14.6% | $179,400 |
| Granite Falls | 4,929 | $56,917 | 17.2% | $202,400 |
| Hudson | 3,772 | $65,268 | 13.7% | $223,000 |
| Gamewell | 3,689 | $46,556 | 21.5% | $170,100 |
| Cajah's Mountain | 2,704 | $53,361 | 13.9% | $201,800 |
| Northlakes | 1,716 | $101,250 | 2.0% | $366,500 |
| Blowing Rock | 992 | $120,938 | 2.4% | $705,000 |
| Cedar Rock | 306 | $95,625 | 2.0% | $424,500 |
Cities Similar to Sawmills
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Shores | 5,017 | $76,087 | $288,600 | 27.6% | 4.0% |
| Creedmoor | 4,997 | $82,961 | $281,400 | 28.9% | 18.2% |
| Midway | 4,897 | $83,446 | $274,100 | 22.5% | 5.0% |
| Pleasant Garden | 5,060 | $88,204 | $223,500 | 30.1% | 9.7% |
| Pittsboro | 4,752 | $81,639 | $376,300 | 40.8% | 11.7% |
Population Overview
Sawmills is a small city located in North Carolina, within Caldwell County. The total population is 5,042. It ranks as the 164th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sawmills is 38.8 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sawmills is $71,067. This is 2% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.9%. This is 24% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.0%. This is 69% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $219,600. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 68.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sawmills has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (93.8% vs 60.0%). The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
12.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% 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 81.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sawmills, 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 Sawmills, North Carolina?
Sawmills, North Carolina has a population of 5,042 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sawmills, NC?
The median household income in Sawmills is $71,067, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sawmills, NC?
The poverty rate in Sawmills is 9.9%. This means approximately 494 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sawmills, North Carolina?
Sawmills's population is 93.8% White, 1.2% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sawmills, NC?
The median home value in Sawmills is $219,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Sawmills, North Carolina?
12.7% of adults (25+) in Sawmills hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.