Town · North Carolina
Mills River, North Carolina
Mills River, town, in Henderson County, North Carolina. Mills River had 7,504 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 7,078 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 7,281 (±22). GEOID 3743260.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,504
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,078 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,281 ±22
Median household income
$105,398
±$13,380 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$436,100
±$46,517 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,551
±$437 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Mills River and what county is it in?
Mills River is a town in Henderson County, North Carolina. It covers 22.4 square miles of land, 316 residents per square mile in 2020.
Mills River is in the Asheville, NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Mills River, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 7,504 people lived in Mills River on July 1, 2025, up 5.4% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 7,078 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 7,281 (±22).
| Measure | Mills River | Henderson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,281 ±22 | 118,484 | no clear change |
| Households | 2,727 ±181 | 51,067 | −345 |
| Average household size | 2.66 ±0.18 | 2.29 | +0.30 |
| Housing units | 3,172 ±239 | 58,044 | no clear change |
Mills River's population since 2005
From 6,264 in 2005 to 7,504 in 2025: up 19.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Mills River as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Mills River?
The median resident of Mills River is 46.4 years old; 21.7% are under 18 and 24.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 79.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 8.9%. 7.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Mills River | Henderson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.4 ±2.1 | 47.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.7% ±3.1 pts | 18.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.3% ±4.3 pts | 26.5% | – |
| Male | 46.8% ±2.4 pts | 48.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.9% ±4.7 pts | 13.1% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 79.9% ±6.6 pts | 79.5% | −9.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.9% ±1.5 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.5% ±2.2 pts | 1.1% | +3.1 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.4% ±2.6 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.4% ±2.7 pts | 8.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.8% ±4.1 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.6% ±2.6 pts | 8.1% | – |
| With a disability | 11.8% ±2.8 pts | 15.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.9% ±3.7 pts | 12.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.4% ±2.4 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 43.7% ±5.4 pts | 36.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 18.6% ±4.0 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 95.7% ±2.5 pts | 89.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7% ±0.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Mills River earn?
Half of Mills River's 2,727 households earn less than $105,398 a year (±$13,380), against $68,187 in Henderson County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $82,047 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $23,351 after inflation. 2.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Mills River | Henderson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $105,398 ±$13,380 | $68,187 | +$23,351 |
| Mean household income | $119,870 ±$9,482 | $92,991 | – |
| Per capita income | $46,796 ±$4,500 | $40,567 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 2.6% ±1.3 pts | 11.6% | −4.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 1.2% ±2.1 pts | 18.2% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.9% ±3.5 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.1% ±1.7 pts | 95.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.7% ±3.7 pts | 90.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Mills River?
Owners occupy 85.6% of Mills River's occupied homes and renters 14.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $436,100 by its owner (±$46,517). The median renter pays $1,551 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Mills River | Henderson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $436,100 ±$46,517 | $351,400 | +$118,827 |
| Median gross rent | $1,551 ±$437 | $1,187 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 23.4% ±16.5 pts | 38.1% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,907 ±$152 | $1,608 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 85.6% ±4.9 pts | 75.0% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 14.4% ±4.9 pts | 25.0% | – |
| Housing units | 3,172 ±239 | 58,044 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4% ±0.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 15.7% ±12.4 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.4% ±5.1 pts | 69.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 16.1% ±4.9 pts | 15.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.9% ±1.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 17.2% ±4.8 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.6% ±2.0 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 0.6% ±0.7 pts | 3.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Mills River work and get to work?
76.4% of Mills River's workers drive alone and 11.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.9 minutes.
| Measure | Mills River | Henderson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.4% ±4.5 pts | 57.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.8% ±2.0 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 76.4% ±6.0 pts | 76.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.8% ±4.7 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.5% ±3.4 pts | 10.4% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.9 min ±1.5 | 22.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Mills River?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Mills River, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $94,464 (Tract 9307.02) to $122,961 (Tract 9307.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9307.02Henderson County | 4,622 | $94,464 |
| Tract 9307.01Henderson County | 3,886 | $122,961 |
| Tract 9307.03Henderson County | 6,127 | $82,786 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Mills River) · Census block assignment files
How does Mills River compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Mills River is the 3,893rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 115th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Mills River ranks 51st of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 115th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 146th | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 411th | 443 |
| Median household income | 51st | 434 |
| Per capita income | 92nd | 443 |
| Median home value | 64th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 54th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 337th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 98th | 421 |
| Median age | 111th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 69th | 443 |
| Work from home | 176th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 336th | 439 |
Mills River's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Mills River with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Mills River?
14 of the 57 figures for Mills River on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Mills River are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Mills River.