Stanley, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Stanley, North Carolina had a total population of 4,069, the 206th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $75,461, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Stanley Quick Facts
How Stanley 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 | 4,014 | 4,069 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $71,333 | $75,461 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $229,000 | $270,200 | +18.0% |
How Stanley 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+)
Stanley Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Gaston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastonia | 82,884 | $64,059 | 16.3% | $277,600 |
| Mount Holly | 18,208 | $79,385 | 8.2% | $337,800 |
| Belmont | 15,546 | $94,883 | 7.9% | $395,000 |
| Kings Mountain | 12,039 | $49,564 | 23.0% | $204,100 |
| Cherryville | 6,226 | $70,625 | 12.4% | $232,100 |
| Dallas | 6,104 | $58,403 | 10.5% | $254,000 |
| Bessemer City | 5,580 | $60,300 | 16.4% | $206,100 |
| Cramerton | 5,450 | $82,160 | 6.3% | $343,400 |
| Ranlo | 4,617 | $78,033 | 5.5% | $200,200 |
| Lowell | 3,768 | $52,500 | 17.4% | $200,600 |
Cities Similar to Stanley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain View | 3,982 | $71,792 | $222,500 | 24.6% | 20.4% |
| Maiden | 3,788 | $75,511 | $233,800 | 13.5% | 19.7% |
| Landis | 3,765 | $75,000 | $252,100 | 24.1% | 6.9% |
| Bethlehem | 4,101 | $87,795 | $327,000 | 43.3% | 4.5% |
| Skippers Corner | 3,792 | $72,297 | $247,500 | 24.6% | 28.3% |
Population Overview
Stanley is a small community located in North Carolina, within Gaston County. The total population is 4,069. It ranks as the 206th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Stanley is 36.9 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Stanley is $75,461. This is 4% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 38% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $270,200. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 70.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Stanley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.5%.
Education
23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 93.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Stanley, 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 Stanley, North Carolina?
Stanley, North Carolina has a population of 4,069 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Stanley, NC?
The median household income in Stanley is $75,461, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Stanley, NC?
The poverty rate in Stanley is 8.1%. This means approximately 314 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Stanley, North Carolina?
Stanley's population is 76.7% White, 10.5% Black, 8.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Stanley, NC?
The median home value in Stanley is $270,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Stanley, North Carolina?
23.2% of adults (25+) in Stanley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.