Valle Crucis, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Valle Crucis, North Carolina had a total population of 242, the 687th largest community in North Carolina. The poverty rate is 6.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 78.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.1%.
Valle Crucis Quick Facts
How Valle Crucis 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 | 243 | 242 | -0.4% |
How Valle Crucis 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+)
Valle Crucis Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Watauga County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boone | 20,032 | $30,065 | 51.2% | $411,100 |
| Cove Creek | 1,629 | $52,847 | 22.6% | $295,700 |
| Foscoe | 1,226 | $49,243 | 22.3% | $325,800 |
| Beech Mountain | 987 | $90,855 | 6.4% | $443,500 |
| Seven Devils | 425 | $111,667 | 3.3% | $426,900 |
Cities Similar to Valle Crucis
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | 243 | $41,875 | $69,300 | 16.4% | 14.0% |
| Colerain | 239 | $118,359 | $145,800 | 16.9% | 3.1% |
| Elrod | 246 | $30,625 | N/A | 15.7% | 26.8% |
| Bolivia | 247 | $57,159 | $290,000 | 46.4% | 7.0% |
| Castalia | 247 | $45,625 | $52,500 | 14.1% | 25.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 242, Valle Crucis'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
Valle Crucis is a small community located in North Carolina, within Watauga County. The total population is 242. It ranks as the 687th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Valle Crucis is 53.1 years. This is 36% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 6.2%. This is 52% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.1%. This is 76% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $463,800. Housing costs are 61% higher than the state median of $288,900. 74.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Valle Crucis was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
78.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Valle Crucis in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 120% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 33.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Valle Crucis, 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 Valle Crucis, North Carolina?
Valle Crucis, North Carolina has a population of 242 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Valle Crucis, NC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Valle Crucis — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Valle Crucis, NC?
The poverty rate in Valle Crucis is 6.2%. This means approximately 15 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Valle Crucis, North Carolina?
Valle Crucis's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Valle Crucis, NC?
The median home value in Valle Crucis is $463,800.
How educated is Valle Crucis, North Carolina?
78.3% of adults (25+) in Valle Crucis hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 33.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.