Valdese, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Valdese, North Carolina had a total population of 4,704, the 178th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $50,740, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Valdese Quick Facts
How Valdese 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 | 4,689 | 4,704 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $61,250 | $50,740 | -17.2% |
| Median home value | $171,300 | $209,800 | +22.5% |
How Valdese 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+)
Valdese Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Burke County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morganton | 17,646 | $51,355 | 25.7% | $221,700 |
| Connelly Springs | 2,427 | $54,620 | 9.2% | $206,500 |
| Salem | 2,377 | $68,988 | 19.1% | $159,100 |
| Hildebran | 2,207 | $55,703 | 21.1% | $193,900 |
| Icard | 2,153 | $44,641 | 18.4% | $141,800 |
| Drexel | 2,146 | $61,992 | 11.7% | $214,400 |
| Glen Alpine | 1,991 | $69,697 | 11.0% | $172,800 |
| Rutherford College | 1,374 | $67,500 | 7.7% | $185,600 |
| Rhodhiss | 1,166 | $63,125 | 10.4% | $134,700 |
Cities Similar to Valdese
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erwin | 4,687 | $50,701 | $161,100 | 17.3% | 12.2% |
| Beaufort | 4,689 | $53,321 | $354,900 | 40.2% | 11.2% |
| Randleman | 4,644 | $53,456 | $184,700 | 14.0% | 32.6% |
| China Grove | 4,530 | $54,083 | $225,800 | 12.3% | 17.2% |
| Farmville | 4,514 | $47,410 | $183,000 | 31.8% | 28.1% |
Population Overview
Valdese is a small community located in North Carolina, within Burke County. The total population is 4,704. It ranks as the 178th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Valdese is 52.6 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 13.7% 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 Valdese is $50,740. This is 30% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 2% 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 $209,800. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 72.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Valdese has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.2%. The Black or African American population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.2%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
37.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% higher 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 94.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Valdese, 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 Valdese, North Carolina?
Valdese, North Carolina has a population of 4,704 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Valdese, NC?
The median household income in Valdese is $50,740, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Valdese, NC?
The poverty rate in Valdese is 12.8%. This means approximately 588 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Valdese, North Carolina?
Valdese's population is 86.3% White, 3.3% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Valdese, NC?
The median home value in Valdese is $209,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Valdese, North Carolina?
37.3% of adults (25+) in Valdese hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.