Population 15,985 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Granite Falls: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Granite Falls
Household size in Granite Falls
| Period | Granite Falls | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.72 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.75 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.52 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.52 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.20 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Granite Falls has 2.52 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has dropped from 2.72 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the center and smallest in the east.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Granite Falls
| Period | Granite Falls | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.4 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.0 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.6 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.6 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.3 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Granite Falls is 43.6 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 40.4, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the center, the oldest in the northwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Granite Falls
| Period | Granite Falls | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.4% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.5% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.9% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +4.3 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in Granite Falls (13.9%), above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 4.3 points, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Granite Falls
Renters in Granite Falls
| Period | Granite Falls | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.0% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.3% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.6% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.2% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Granite Falls is largely a place of homeowners: only 23.2% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 37.1% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share is up 2.2 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Granite Falls
| Period | Granite Falls | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.0% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.7% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.6% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.5% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
A few more homes sit empty in Granite Falls than nationally: 11.5%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy is down 2.5 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Granite Falls
| Period | Granite Falls | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1983 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +7 | +6 |
The housing in Granite Falls is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1987, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1983 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the east, the oldest in the northwest.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Granite Falls
| Period | Granite Falls | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $556 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $671 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $731 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $898 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$342 | +$528 | +$606 |
The median renter in Granite Falls pays $898 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $342 a month since 2006–10, up 62%, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 26.7% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the north; the highest are in the southeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Granite Falls
Bachelor's degrees in Granite Falls
| Period | Granite Falls | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.6% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.7% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.0% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.4% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.8 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Granite Falls: 21.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 7.8 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the southeast and least in the northwest.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Granite Falls
| Period | Granite Falls | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.7% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 77.4% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 80.2% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.6% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.9 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in seven adults in Granite Falls never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 6.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Granite Falls
| Period | Granite Falls | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.8% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.4% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.0% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.8% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Granite Falls runs well above the national rate: 7.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Of the 332 North Carolina cities with 5,000+ people, only 26 have higher unemployment. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Granite Falls compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granite Falls | 2.52 | 43.6 | 13.9% | 23.2% | 11.5% | 1987 | $898 | 21.4% | 86.6% | 7.8% |
| Rutherford College | 2.27 | 49.5 | 7.9% | 25.4% | 7.3% | 1977 | $1,013 | 34.2% | 92.7% | 3.7% |
| Sawmills | 2.64 | 40.6 | 16.4% | 27.5% | 15.0% | 1984 | $725 | 11.0% | 82.6% | 5.6% |
| Rhodhiss | 2.66 | 46.6 | 10.8% | 22.7% | 5.9% | 1985 | $897 | 18.3% | 86.2% | 2.6% |
| Hudson | 2.56 | 42.2 | 16.7% | 22.7% | 10.3% | 1980 | $718 | 18.3% | 84.3% | 5.9% |
| Long View | 2.28 | 40.9 | 11.2% | 52.6% | 11.9% | 1967 | $768 | 11.2% | 85.4% | 4.3% |
| Hildebran | 2.63 | 37.5 | 14.9% | 29.0% | 5.5% | 1977 | $799 | 12.9% | 86.9% | 4.6% |
| Cajahs Mountain | 2.50 | 44.3 | 14.1% | 22.3% | 14.4% | 1975 | $812 | 14.0% | 84.6% | 6.4% |
| Hickory | 2.51 | 39.9 | 12.3% | 32.9% | 9.8% | 1981 | $1,022 | 31.9% | 89.5% | 2.9% |
| Connelly Springs | 2.26 | 42.6 | 13.9% | 32.3% | 5.8% | 1984 | $921 | 20.4% | 88.1% | 7.5% |
| St. Stephens | 2.46 | 43.4 | 14.7% | 24.4% | 6.4% | 1982 | $959 | 29.0% | 87.5% | 2.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Windham, NH · Beech Grove, IN · Bel Air, MD · Worthington, OH · Bellefontaine, OH · Bellevue, WI · Bellingham, MA · Bellmore, NY · Bennettsville, SC · Berea, SC
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Granite Falls. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.