Spruce Pine, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Spruce Pine, North Carolina had a total population of 2,398, the 308th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $42,098, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Spruce Pine Quick Facts
How Spruce Pine 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 | 2,381 | 2,398 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $47,583 | $42,098 | -11.5% |
| Median home value | $202,300 | $207,500 | +2.6% |
How Spruce Pine 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+)
Spruce Pine Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Mitchell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersville | 747 | $50,263 | 22.4% | $231,300 |
Cities Similar to Spruce Pine
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dudley | 2,305 | $42,050 | $90,000 | 18.7% | 35.3% |
| Mayodan | 2,401 | $38,446 | $120,600 | 9.5% | 22.8% |
| Cricket | 2,317 | $39,859 | $140,600 | 13.8% | 27.0% |
| Fruitland | 2,398 | $48,025 | $133,100 | 21.0% | 15.6% |
| South Rosemary | 2,475 | $47,466 | $86,800 | 14.7% | 19.8% |
Population Overview
Spruce Pine is a small community located in North Carolina, within Mitchell County. The total population is 2,398. It ranks as the 308th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Spruce Pine is 48.6 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 11.8% 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 is $42,098. This is 42% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.5%. This is 73% 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 1.8%. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $207,500. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 64.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Spruce Pine is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.9%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
24.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 81.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Spruce Pine, 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 Spruce Pine, North Carolina?
Spruce Pine, North Carolina has a population of 2,398 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Spruce Pine, NC?
The median household income in Spruce Pine is $42,098, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Spruce Pine, NC?
The poverty rate in Spruce Pine is 22.5%. This means approximately 523 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Spruce Pine, North Carolina?
Spruce Pine's population is 82.8% White, 0.8% Black, 11.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Spruce Pine, NC?
The median home value in Spruce Pine is $207,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Spruce Pine, North Carolina?
24.4% of adults (25+) in Spruce Pine hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.