Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Sawmills, NC Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

5,042

Median Agei

38.8

Race & Ethnicityi

White

93.8%4,730

Hispanic/Latino

2.9%147

Two or More

2.1%104

Black

1.2%60

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%1

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

4.2%149

High School Diploma

35.3%1,246

Some College (<1 yr)

10.2%361

Some College (1+ yr)

11.1%393

Associate's Degree

8.2%291

Bachelor's Degree

8.7%307

Master's Degree

2%69

Professional Degree

0.3%9

Doctorate

1.8%63

HS or Higher

81.8%

BA or Higher

12.7%

Graduate+

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$219,600

Median Renti

$730

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

68.7%1,310

Renter-Occupied

31.3%598

Total Units

2,370

Homeownership

68.7%

Vacancy Rate

19.5%

Home Values

Under $50K

15.1%198

$50K–$100K

9.1%119

$100K–$150K

7.4%97

$150K–$200K

12.4%163

$200K–$300K

26%341

$300K–$500K

24.8%325

$500K–$1M

4%52

$1M+

1.1%15

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

243

$750–$1,000

222

$1,000–$1,250

$1,250–$1,500

Year Built

2010–2019

2.7%64

2000–2009

6.9%163

1990–1999

40.2%953

1980–1989

13.8%326

1970–1979

6.2%146

1960–1969

23%545

1950–1959

5.5%130

1940–1949

1.3%31

1939 or earlier

0.5%12

Heating Fuel

Electricity

83%1,584

Utility Gas

7.5%143

Fuel Oil

4.8%92

Bottled/LP Gas

2.3%44

Wood

1.9%36

No Fuel

0.5%9

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$71,067

Mean Household Incomei

$85,361

Per Capita Incomei

$33,741

Poverty Ratei

9.8%

Unemploymenti

Labor Forcei

2,702

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

2.5%48

$10K–$15K

5.3%102

$15K–$20K

3.1%59

$20K–$25K

9.2%175

$25K–$30K

1.5%28

$30K–$35K

7.1%136

$35K–$40K

2.8%54

$40K–$45K

2.1%40

$45K–$50K

3.3%63

$50K–$60K

7.3%139

$60K–$75K

13.6%259

$75K–$100K

10.7%205

$100K–$125K

12.3%234

$125K–$150K

6.7%128

$150K–$200K

10.1%192

$200K+

2.4%46

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

Residentsi

101

Avg. Tenant Renti

$391/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

12 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers80 homes59% occupied$391/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $71,067/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $21K/yr

59%

Very low income$21K–$36K/yr

38%

Low income$36K–$57K/yr

Who Receives This Housing

83% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

17% of subsidized households are minority

34% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

53% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

290.6%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

2,392

Avg. Commutei

23 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

2,475

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

169(4.4% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

86.2%Insured

13.8%Uninsured