Spindale, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Spindale, North Carolina had a total population of 4,131, the 204th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $41,262, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 12.6% is notably above the national average.
Spindale Quick Facts
How Spindale 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 | 4,244 | 4,131 | -2.7% |
| Median household income | $38,509 | $41,262 | +7.1% |
| Median home value | $130,800 | $167,400 | +28.0% |
How Spindale 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+)
Spindale Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Rutherford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest City | 7,363 | $35,524 | 32.1% | $160,800 |
| Rutherfordton | 3,680 | $59,375 | 12.7% | $288,400 |
| Lake Lure | 1,543 | $80,357 | 11.5% | $627,000 |
| Ellenboro | 901 | $49,769 | 18.3% | $164,400 |
| Ruth | 510 | $51,250 | 35.7% | $138,300 |
| Cliffside | 438 | $51,438 | 7.1% | N/A |
| Bostic | 433 | $57,813 | 17.8% | $171,900 |
| Henrietta | 197 | N/A | 20.8% | $162,500 |
| Chimney Rock Village | 122 | $64,375 | 8.2% | $477,300 |
| Caroleen | 116 | N/A | 29.3% | $137,500 |
Cities Similar to Spindale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Wilkesboro | 4,421 | $38,474 | $212,700 | 24.7% | 23.8% |
| Franklin | 4,268 | $47,888 | $195,000 | 25.6% | 12.8% |
| Edenton | 4,494 | $38,417 | $274,100 | 23.1% | 29.9% |
| Tabor City | 3,777 | $38,714 | $115,900 | 11.9% | 32.9% |
| Wilkesboro | 3,646 | $40,907 | $223,700 | 24.5% | 22.6% |
Population Overview
Spindale is a small community located in North Carolina, within Rutherford County. The total population is 4,131. It ranks as the 204th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Spindale is 44.9 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 13.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Spindale is $41,262. This is 43% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.8%. This is 68% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. 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 12.6%. This is 166% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $167,400. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 43.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Spindale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.4%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
15.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 81.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Spindale, 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 Spindale, North Carolina?
Spindale, North Carolina has a population of 4,131 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Spindale, NC?
The median household income in Spindale is $41,262, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Spindale, NC?
The poverty rate in Spindale is 21.8%. This means approximately 820 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Spindale, North Carolina?
Spindale's population is 72.4% White, 14.4% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Spindale, NC?
The median home value in Spindale is $167,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Spindale, North Carolina?
15.5% of adults (25+) in Spindale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.