Star, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Star, North Carolina had a total population of 1,282, the 416th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $38,125, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Star Quick Facts
How Star 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 | 1,430 | 1,282 | -10.3% |
| Median household income | $37,135 | $38,125 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $131,600 | $136,300 | +3.6% |
How Star 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Star Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Montgomery County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | 2,926 | $51,731 | 20.2% | $160,100 |
| Biscoe | 2,116 | $45,190 | 34.9% | $128,700 |
| Mount Gilead | 1,197 | $58,885 | 16.8% | $157,300 |
Cities Similar to Star
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buxton | 1,267 | N/A | $409,900 | 25.5% | 6.7% |
| Beulaville | 1,307 | $37,188 | $147,000 | 28.1% | 26.5% |
| Elm City | 1,292 | $36,150 | $109,300 | 10.7% | 33.7% |
| Maury | 1,339 | N/A | N/A | 3.3% | 54.7% |
| Bayboro | 1,266 | $33,636 | $138,000 | 6.8% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
Star is a small community located in North Carolina, within Montgomery County. The total population is 1,282. It ranks as the 416th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Star is 35.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 35.6% of the population under 18, Star has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Star is $38,125. This is 47% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.8%. This is 75% 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 5.5%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $136,300. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 47.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Star is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 32.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (32.7% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (23.4% vs 11.3%).
Education
8.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% 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 68.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Star, 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 Star, North Carolina?
Star, North Carolina has a population of 1,282 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Star, NC?
The median household income in Star is $38,125, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Star, NC?
The poverty rate in Star is 22.8%. This means approximately 280 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Star, North Carolina?
Star's population is 41.7% White, 32.7% Black, 23.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Star, NC?
The median home value in Star is $136,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Star, North Carolina?
8.6% of adults (25+) in Star hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.