Toast, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Toast, North Carolina had a total population of 893, the 487th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $35,111, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 6.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Toast Quick Facts
How Toast 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 | 1,066 | 893 | -16.2% |
| Median household income | $33,914 | $35,111 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $93,900 | $104,800 | +11.6% |
How Toast 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+)
Toast Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Surry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Airy | 10,633 | $40,275 | 26.9% | $181,900 |
| Elkin | 4,043 | $60,740 | 22.3% | $226,900 |
| Dobson | 1,652 | $43,750 | 22.4% | $173,900 |
| Pilot Mountain | 1,483 | $49,200 | 12.4% | $203,600 |
| Flat Rock | 1,062 | $42,018 | 11.9% | $95,400 |
| White Plains | 795 | $44,242 | 10.7% | $231,700 |
| Lowgap | 264 | $60,368 | 8.7% | $163,500 |
Cities Similar to Toast
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rich Square | 880 | $37,031 | $85,000 | 14.4% | 35.2% |
| Five Points | 940 | N/A | $344,100 | 22.2% | 21.7% |
| Hoffman | 821 | N/A | $72,900 | 7.0% | 58.2% |
| Chocowinity | 903 | $41,382 | $114,300 | 10.9% | 26.9% |
| Conway | 832 | $36,920 | $106,000 | 24.2% | 28.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 893, Toast's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Toast is a small community located in North Carolina, within Surry County. The total population is 893. It ranks as the 487th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Toast is 37.7 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Toast is $35,111. This is 51% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.0%. This is 7% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $104,800. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 66.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Toast is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (30.0% vs 11.3%).
Education
6.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 81% 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 83.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Toast, 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 Toast, North Carolina?
Toast, North Carolina has a population of 893 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Toast, NC?
The median household income in Toast is $35,111, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Toast, NC?
The poverty rate in Toast is 14.0%. This means approximately 125 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Toast, North Carolina?
Toast's population is 59.6% White, 0.0% Black, 30.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Toast, NC?
The median home value in Toast is $104,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Toast, North Carolina?
6.7% of adults (25+) in Toast hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.