St. Stephens, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. Stephens, North Carolina had a total population of 9,457, the 102nd largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $60,394, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.1%.
St. Stephens Quick Facts
How St. Stephens 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 | 9,409 | 9,457 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $57,882 | $60,394 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $187,500 | $213,300 | +13.8% |
How St. Stephens 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+)
St. Stephens Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Catawba County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory | 44,258 | $64,576 | 17.1% | $278,400 |
| Newton | 13,333 | $62,015 | 12.0% | $186,300 |
| Lake Norman of Catawba | 9,906 | $112,656 | 4.2% | $492,600 |
| Conover | 8,580 | $65,972 | 15.7% | $271,300 |
| Long View | 5,011 | $46,739 | 11.3% | $157,300 |
| Mountain View | 3,982 | $71,792 | 20.4% | $222,500 |
| Maiden | 3,788 | $75,511 | 19.7% | $233,800 |
| Claremont | 1,922 | $66,667 | 7.0% | $255,300 |
| Catawba | 628 | $47,250 | 21.4% | $163,000 |
| Brookford | 390 | N/A | 19.0% | $131,300 |
Cities Similar to St. Stephens
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Grant | 9,003 | $62,232 | $300,700 | 25.2% | 14.7% |
| Morehead City | 9,806 | $56,233 | $357,400 | 35.6% | 18.1% |
| Aberdeen | 9,228 | $75,078 | $314,900 | 31.9% | 10.5% |
| Conover | 8,580 | $65,972 | $271,300 | 23.8% | 15.7% |
| Waynesville | 10,502 | $54,923 | $281,700 | 33.0% | 15.9% |
Population Overview
St. Stephens is a small city located in North Carolina, within Catawba County. The total population is 9,457. It ranks as the 102nd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. Stephens is 43.2 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 10.1% 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 St. Stephens is $60,394. This is 17% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.1%. This is 77% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $213,300. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 83.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in St. Stephens is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.7%. The Black or African American population (4.4%) is well below the state average of 20.0%.
Education
25.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 85.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. Stephens, 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 St. Stephens, North Carolina?
St. Stephens, North Carolina has a population of 9,457 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. Stephens, NC?
The median household income in St. Stephens is $60,394, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. Stephens, NC?
The poverty rate in St. Stephens is 16.3%. This means approximately 1,533 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. Stephens, North Carolina?
St. Stephens's population is 65.4% White, 4.4% Black, 16.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. Stephens, NC?
The median home value in St. Stephens is $213,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is St. Stephens, North Carolina?
25.7% of adults (25+) in St. Stephens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.