Wadesboro, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wadesboro, North Carolina had a total population of 4,972, the 168th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $42,667, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Wadesboro Quick Facts
How Wadesboro 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 | 4,966 | 4,972 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $34,125 | $42,667 | +25.0% |
| Median home value | $98,600 | $153,200 | +55.4% |
How Wadesboro 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wadesboro Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Anson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polkton | 2,555 | $47,059 | 30.4% | $130,100 |
| Lilesville | 971 | $41,389 | 10.5% | $116,200 |
| Ansonville | 651 | $48,750 | 13.5% | $92,400 |
| Peachland | 443 | $70,000 | 4.1% | $135,000 |
| Morven | 362 | $28,125 | 47.9% | $110,700 |
| McFarlan | 164 | N/A | 77.4% | $115,000 |
Cities Similar to Wadesboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayden | 5,150 | $42,413 | $182,400 | 23.0% | 22.4% |
| Long View | 5,011 | $46,739 | $157,300 | 7.9% | 11.3% |
| Ahoskie | 4,764 | $40,987 | $143,200 | 22.6% | 27.7% |
| Williamston | 5,112 | $38,738 | $107,100 | 14.3% | 36.3% |
| Raeford | 4,552 | $46,494 | $201,800 | 23.6% | 20.7% |
Population Overview
Wadesboro is a small community located in North Carolina, within Anson County. The total population is 4,972. It ranks as the 168th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wadesboro is 43.3 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wadesboro is $42,667. This is 41% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.4%. This is 110% 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 7.0%. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $153,200. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 63.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wadesboro is Black or African American, making up 64.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 27.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (27.5%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (64.5% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 88.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wadesboro, 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 Wadesboro, North Carolina?
Wadesboro, North Carolina has a population of 4,972 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wadesboro, NC?
The median household income in Wadesboro is $42,667, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wadesboro, NC?
The poverty rate in Wadesboro is 27.4%. This means approximately 1,302 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wadesboro, North Carolina?
Wadesboro's population is 27.5% White, 64.5% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wadesboro, NC?
The median home value in Wadesboro is $153,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Wadesboro, North Carolina?
16.9% of adults (25+) in Wadesboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.