Spruce Pine town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Name: Spruce Pine town, North Carolina Demographics
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

As of 2026, Spruce Pine town, North Carolina has a total population of 2,381, the 311th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $47,583, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.2%.

Key Takeaways

Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.

Spruce Pine town Quick Facts

Population 2,381

Median Household Income $47,583

Median Home Value $202,300

Poverty Rate 18.2%

Unemployment Rate 1.7%

Median Age 46.1 years

Homeownership Rate 66.3%

Affordability Ratio 4.3x

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 20.1%

High School Graduation Rate 84.3%

Diversity Index 29/100

Population 2,381 311th of 774

Median Income $47,583 bottom 30%

Poverty Rate 18.2% 46% higher national

Median Home Value $202,300 average

How Spruce Pine town Compares

Median Household Income

Spruce Pine town

$47,583

$69,904

National

$78,538

Median Home Value

Spruce Pine town

$202,300

$259,400

National

$303,400

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 29.3%

$25K-$50K 22.1%

$50K-$100K 27.4%

$100K+ 21.1%

Employment

1.7% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8% | National: 5.2%

53.2% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 66.3%

Renter 33.7%

Affordability Index Moderate

4.3x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18

17.6%

18-34

23.1%

35-54

23.9%

55-74

23.6%

75+

11.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 57 | National average: 60

Education

Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)

Spruce Pine town Rankings in North Carolina

#311 Population of 774

#510 Median Income of 774

#420 Education of 774

#328 Home Value of 774

Explore North Carolina Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Spruce Pine town

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

City	Population	Median Income	Home Value	Bachelor's+	Poverty
Taylorsville town	2,386	$48,542	$210,300	18.4%	27.8%
Kenly town	2,351	$46,229	$183,300	7.7%	16.9%
Fruitland CDP	2,417	$46,113	$136,500	22.6%	11.3%
Dudley CDP	2,320	$46,389	$100,700	18.7%	28.7%
Icard CDP	2,291	$47,825	$136,600	6.3%	20.9%

Population Overview

Spruce Pine town is a small community located in North Carolina. The total population is 2,381. It ranks as the 311th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Spruce Pine town is 46.1 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 11.9% 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 Spruce Pine town is $47,583. This is 32% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 39% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.2%. This is 38% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 1.7%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $202,300. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 66.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Spruce Pine town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.6%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 20.3%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

20.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 84.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Spruce Pine town, 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.

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 Spruce Pine town, North Carolina?

Spruce Pine town, North Carolina has a population of 2,381 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Spruce Pine town, NC?

The median household income in Spruce Pine town is $47,583, which is 39% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Spruce Pine town, NC?

The poverty rate in Spruce Pine town is 18.2%. This means approximately 418 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Spruce Pine town, North Carolina?

Spruce Pine town's population is 83.4% White, 0.7% Black, 11.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.

What is the median home value in Spruce Pine town, NC?

The median home value in Spruce Pine town is $202,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.

How educated is Spruce Pine town, North Carolina?

20.1% of adults (25+) in Spruce Pine town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.