Population 9,770 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Mars Hill
Household size in Mars Hill
| Period | Mars Hill | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.33 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.44 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.53 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.68 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.35 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Mars Hill average 2.68 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is bigger than in North Carolina overall, where it has 2.52 people. Household size has climbed from 2.33 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
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 Mars Hill
| Period | Mars Hill | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.0 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.1 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.3 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.8 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.8 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Mars Hill is 43.8 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 39.0 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Residents skew youngest in the north and oldest in the east.
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 Mars Hill
| Period | Mars Hill | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.6% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.0% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit less common in Mars Hill than nationally: 10.0%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 1.8 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Mars Hill
Renters in Mars Hill
| Period | Mars Hill | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.2% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.3% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.1% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.0% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.8 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Mars Hill is largely a place of homeowners: only 24.0% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 52.4% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 1.8 points, 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 Mars Hill
| Period | Mars Hill | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.4% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.1% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.7% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.2% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Mars Hill: 20.2% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 1.9 points, even as the national rate fell.
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 Mars Hill
| Period | Mars Hill | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +7 | +6 |
Homes in Mars Hill are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1987, versus 1980 across the U.S. The picture is much the same across North Carolina. The median year built has moved up from 1977 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 Mars Hill
| Period | Mars Hill | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $549 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $702 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $707 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $894 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$346 | +$528 | +$606 |
Rent in Mars Hill runs $894 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $346 a month from 2006–10, a 63% jump, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 30.2% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the west; the most affordable are in the north.
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 Mars Hill
Bachelor's degrees in Mars Hill
| Period | Mars Hill | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.7% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.6% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 34.6% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 34.0% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.3 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
About a third of adults 25 and older in Mars Hill (34.0%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 10.3 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the north.
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 Mars Hill
| Period | Mars Hill | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 78.1% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 85.8% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.5% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.4% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +15.3 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Mars Hill is above the national rate: 93.4% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 15.3 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Mars Hill
| Period | Mars Hill | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.3% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.7% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.4% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.4%, unemployment in Mars Hill is the same as the national rate. Unemployment has fallen 1.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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).
Mars Hill 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mars Hill | 2.68 | 43.8 | 10.0% | 24.0% | 20.2% | 1987 | $894 | 34.0% | 93.4% | 5.4% |
| Ivy Ridge | 2.61 | 46.7 | 11.1% | 16.4% | 35.5% | 1980 | $1,040 | 45.0% | 95.7% | 6.3% |
| Barnardsville | 2.84 | 48.3 | 2.9% | 17.9% | 24.5% | 1988 | $994 | 39.3% | 88.9% | 0.2% |
| Foster Creek | 2.38 | 51.4 | 18.0% | 13.9% | 44.8% | 1984 | $411 | 36.2% | 86.7% | 4.7% |
| Jupiter | 2.70 | 40.7 | 4.8% | 19.3% | 17.9% | 1994 | $978 | 34.1% | 90.0% | 1.0% |
| Marshall | 2.57 | 44.9 | 9.5% | 20.0% | 26.7% | 1986 | $933 | 30.8% | 86.0% | 0.9% |
| Weaverville | 2.61 | 51.0 | 6.8% | 20.7% | 18.4% | 1994 | $1,327 | 45.4% | 94.7% | 3.3% |
| Dillingham | 2.12 | 42.2 | 4.3% | 36.3% | 33.5% | 1984 | $1,003 | 33.7% | 85.0% | 0.6% |
| Walnut | 2.32 | 52.1 | 12.9% | 21.9% | 21.3% | 1980 | $1,283 | 26.8% | 86.3% | 3.5% |
| Laurel | 2.32 | 45.7 | 19.1% | 29.3% | 36.5% | 1980 | $411 | 30.0% | 79.9% | 0.0% |
| Stackhouse | 2.48 | 50.4 | 11.2% | 23.7% | 23.3% | 1984 | $1,004 | 22.6% | 88.5% | 3.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Whitney, TX · Camilla, GA · Camp Pendleton North, CA · Williamsburg, OH · Willard, OH · Canton, TX · Cape Elizabeth, ME · Capistrano Beach, CA · Wiggins, MS · Carleton, MI
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 Mars Hill. 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.
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