City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Hope Mills, NC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Hope Mills - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

17,823
Residents
$60,671
Median income
$176,300
Median home
$1,251
Median rent (state)

Hope Mills - the verdict

Nationally, Hope Mills sits in the 36th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

36th
percentile, household income
35th
percentile, home value
41st
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Hope Mills, NC

North Carolina's Hope Mills is a small town, with 17,823 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Hope Mills households earn a median of $60,671 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 13.6%. Home values in Hope Mills run a median of $176,300, and the median resident age is 33.3 years. Educational attainment runs 23.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 149 residential building permits were authorized in Hope Mills (Building Boom), up 1763% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, North Carolina scores 94.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,251 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in North Carolina run around $215, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 24.7 minutes, with 79.2% driving alone and 7.4% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 89.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

17,823 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$60,671 /yr

Poverty 13.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Hope Mills compare to other US cities?

Here's how Hope Mills stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 36% higher than other cities
Home value 35% pricier than other cities
Median rent 41% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Hope Mills's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in North Carolina, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

36thIncome percentile

36th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Hope Mills's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$176,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 65% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Hope Mills $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Hope Mills, NC Hope Mills, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Hope Mills, NC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Hope Mills, NC median $60,671/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Hope Mills, NC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Hope Mills, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 23.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
17,823
Median Income
$60,671
Median Home Value
$176,300
Median Age
33.3
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Labor force participation
53.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
23.6%

Schools

Total Schools
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
17,600 residents17,800 residents18,000 residents18,200 residents18,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 17,838 residents 18,324 residents ▲ +2.7%
Hope Mills's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
149
housing units authorized
Single-Family
77
detached homes
Multifamily
72
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
8.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 8
2020 35
2021 37
2022 99
2023 69
2024 149

Permit volume increased 1763% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
24.7 minutes
Drive Alone
79.2%
Carpool
12.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.4%
Work from Home
7.4%

Based on 7,480 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Hope Mills sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,251/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
89.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Mount Holly
17,928 people
Pinehurst
17,992 people
Morganton
17,541 people
Graham
17,537 people
Lenoir
18,282 people
Murraysville
17,307 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Hope Mills's 17,823 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Blythe, CA
17,824 people
Bay City, TX
17,816 people
Guayama zona urbana, PR
17,815 people
Tiffin, OH
17,814 people
Anacortes, WA
17,837 people
Southbridge, MA
17,806 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Hope Mills's $60,671 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Strafford, MO
$60,670 median income
La Ward, TX
$60,667 median income
Cornell, WI
$60,667 median income
Grand Haven, MI
$60,665 median income
Dallas City, IL
$60,662 median income
Haskell, TX
$60,661 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Hope Mills, NC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Hope Mills, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 46.5% 34.8% 10.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 15.5% White 46.5% Black or African American 34.8% Asian 2.0% American Indian 1.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.2% Two or more races 10.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Hope Mills compares to nearby North Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Hope Mills (this city) 17,823 $60,671
Mount Holly 17,928 $75,928
Pinehurst 17,992 $104,955
Morganton 17,541 $49,434
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Hope Mills, NC?

What is the population of Hope Mills, NC? +

Hope Mills, NC has a population of 17,823 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Hope Mills, NC? +

The median household income in Hope Mills is $60,671 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Hope Mills? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Hope Mills; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Hope Mills, NC? +

Hope Mills's median home value sits at $176,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.