Scotland County, North Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Scotland County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 34,353. It is the 68th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Scotland County is 38.3 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Scotland County is $43,500. This is 38% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 45% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.6%. This is 102% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 10.1%. This is 109% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $109,900. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Scotland County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Scotland County is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (37.7% vs 20.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

14.8% 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 57% lower 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 82.4%.