Spring Lake, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Spring Lake, North Carolina had a total population of 11,573, the 87th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $51,958, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in North Carolina (diversity index: 73/100).
Spring Lake Quick Facts
How Spring Lake 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 | 11,613 | 11,573 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $50,497 | $51,958 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $101,300 | $124,000 | +22.4% |
How Spring Lake 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Spring Lake Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Cumberland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | 210,815 | $58,407 | 17.7% | $188,000 |
| Hope Mills | 17,939 | $65,774 | 14.1% | $190,600 |
| Eastover | 3,666 | $85,156 | 13.4% | $241,600 |
| Vander | 1,922 | $66,993 | 23.4% | $231,800 |
| Stedman | 1,670 | $107,250 | 7.5% | $218,800 |
| Wade | 518 | $70,938 | 19.3% | $215,000 |
| Falcon | 272 | N/A | 44.5% | $204,200 |
| Godwin | 203 | $53,542 | 16.3% | $158,300 |
| Linden | 129 | $66,250 | 25.6% | $150,000 |
Cities Similar to Spring Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Mountain | 12,039 | $49,564 | $204,100 | 17.8% | 23.0% |
| Lincolnton | 11,783 | $46,320 | $248,700 | 24.0% | 22.7% |
| Tarboro | 10,770 | $49,796 | $185,500 | 26.6% | 18.5% |
| Waynesville | 10,502 | $54,923 | $281,700 | 33.0% | 15.9% |
| Smithfield | 12,116 | $43,270 | $242,500 | 26.7% | 27.4% |
Population Overview
Spring Lake is a small city located in North Carolina, within Cumberland County. The total population is 11,573. It ranks as the 87th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Spring Lake is 26.1 years. This is 33% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Spring Lake is $51,958. This is 28% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.7%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $124,000. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Spring Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 19.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 70% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Spring Lake is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (34.2% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.8% vs 11.3%).
Education
25.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 93.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Spring Lake, 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 Spring Lake, North Carolina?
Spring Lake, North Carolina has a population of 11,573 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Spring Lake, NC?
The median household income in Spring Lake is $51,958, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Spring Lake, NC?
The poverty rate in Spring Lake is 17.7%. This means approximately 1,907 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Spring Lake, North Carolina?
Spring Lake's population is 34.0% White, 34.2% Black, 17.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Spring Lake, NC?
The median home value in Spring Lake is $124,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Spring Lake, North Carolina?
25.2% of adults (25+) in Spring Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.