Wallace, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wallace, North Carolina had a total population of 3,457, the 235th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $51,250, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
Wallace Quick Facts
How Wallace 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 | 3,438 | 3,457 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $49,358 | $51,250 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $192,800 | $178,000 | -7.7% |
How Wallace 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+)
Wallace Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Pender County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hampstead | 9,292 | $91,745 | 9.5% | $402,100 |
| Burgaw | 3,850 | $67,853 | 19.7% | $242,200 |
| Rocky Point | 1,020 | $69,514 | 19.8% | $163,500 |
| St. Helena | 544 | $75,313 | 20.6% | $215,600 |
| Atkinson | 485 | $59,886 | 13.6% | $155,100 |
| Topsail Beach | 406 | $93,250 | 7.6% | $691,200 |
| Watha | 271 | $48,125 | 16.6% | $143,300 |
| Long Creek | 206 | N/A | 23.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Wallace
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rural Hall | 3,466 | $51,054 | $189,600 | 27.1% | 9.4% |
| River Road | 3,366 | $46,352 | $232,800 | 26.5% | 22.3% |
| Lowell | 3,768 | $52,500 | $200,600 | 23.0% | 17.4% |
| Buies Creek | 3,746 | $53,933 | $361,500 | 64.5% | 40.7% |
| Green Level | 3,230 | $55,823 | $168,400 | 13.3% | 19.0% |
Population Overview
Wallace is a small community located in North Carolina, within Pender County. The total population is 3,457. It ranks as the 235th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wallace is 43.6 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wallace is $51,250. This is 29% 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 30.4%. This is 134% 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 8.7%. This is 85% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $178,000. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 57.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wallace is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 27.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (24.2% vs 11.3%).
Education
11.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% 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 73.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wallace, 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 Wallace, North Carolina?
Wallace, North Carolina has a population of 3,457 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wallace, NC?
The median household income in Wallace is $51,250, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wallace, NC?
The poverty rate in Wallace is 30.4%. This means approximately 1,006 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wallace, North Carolina?
Wallace's population is 41.1% White, 27.3% Black, 24.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wallace, NC?
The median home value in Wallace is $178,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Wallace, North Carolina?
11.5% of adults (25+) in Wallace hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.