Stem, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Stem, North Carolina had a total population of 1,249, the 420th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $95,625, which is 32% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.0% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.1%.
Stem Quick Facts
How Stem 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 | 1,064 | 1,249 | +17.4% |
| Median household income | $85,385 | $95,625 | +12.0% |
| Median home value | $207,600 | $240,500 | +15.8% |
How Stem 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+)
Stem Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Granville County
Cities Similar to Stem
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% |
| Alamance | 1,267 | $99,375 | $407,300 | 38.9% | 10.3% |
| Maury | 1,339 | N/A | N/A | 3.3% | 54.7% |
| Brandywine Bay | 1,313 | $105,000 | $371,500 | 54.1% | 1.2% |
| Camden | 1,115 | $94,412 | $398,700 | 43.6% | 1.1% |
Population Overview
Stem is a small community located in North Carolina, within Granville County. The total population is 1,249. It ranks as the 420th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Stem is 32.1 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 31.6% of the population under 18, Stem has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Stem is $95,625. This is 32% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 18% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.0%. This is 77% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.1%. This is 76% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $240,500. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Stem is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 97.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 47% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Stem is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 33.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (33.8% vs 20.0%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
29.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 92.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Stem, 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.
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 Stem, North Carolina?
Stem, North Carolina has a population of 1,249 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Stem, NC?
The median household income in Stem is $95,625, which is 18% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Stem, NC?
The poverty rate in Stem is 3.0%. This means approximately 37 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Stem, North Carolina?
Stem's population is 52.4% White, 33.8% Black, 8.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Stem, NC?
The median home value in Stem is $240,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Stem, North Carolina?
29.3% of adults (25+) in Stem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.