Bolton, NC — City Data, Demographics & Statistics
Columbus County · North Carolina
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for Bolton based on 8 key metrics — compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
469
2023 ACS
Median Income
$46,250
2023
Median Home Value
$125,000
2023
Median Rent
N/A
2023
Median Age
38.4
Unemployment
27.5%
Cost of Living Index
74.6
100 = national avg
Bolton is a city in Columbus County, North Carolina, with a population of 469 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Bolton is one of the communities in North Carolina.
The median household income in Bolton is $46,250, and the median home value is $125,000. The cost of living index is 74.6 (where 100 = national average). The unemployment rate is 27.5%, and the median age is 38.4 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
469
Male
254
54.2%
Female
215
45.8%
Median Age
38.4
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
1.3%
High School or Higher
23.2%
Foreign Born
9.0%
Veterans
3.4%
Married
24.1%
Avg Household Size
2.9
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.689
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
Black
43.7%
Foreign Born
9.0%
Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.
Hispanic/Latino
10.9%
51 people
Not Hispanic/Latino
89.1%
Hispanic/Latino Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Asian Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Languages Spoken
Total Speakers (5+)
454
English Only
87.0%
#1 Non-English Language
Spanish
51 speakers
Limited English
4.2%
Language Distribution
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
95.8%
Limited English Proficiency
4.2%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
16
3.4% of population
Disability Rate
18.8%
3 with disability
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
16
100.0%
Disability Status
With Disability
3
Without Disability
13
Disability Rate
18.8%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
102
#1 Ancestry
English
8.3% (39)
#2 Ancestry
German
5.8% (27)
#3 Ancestry
Sub-Saharan African
3.6% (17)
Top 8 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
163
Family Households
114
69.9%
Married Couples
53
32.5%
Non-Family Households
49
30.1%
Single Mother Households
32
19.6%
Single Father Households
29
17.8%
Living Alone
47
28.8%
Children Under 18
Total Children
95
In Married Couple
44
46.3%
With Single Mother
34
35.8%
With Single Father
17
17.9%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$45,735
Married Couple Income
$80,417
Single Father Income
$24,145
Avg Family Size
2.9
Avg Non-Family Size
2.1
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
0
Grandparents Responsible
0
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$46,250
-37% vs national
Per Capita Income
$17,262
-54% vs national
Poverty Rate
23.7%
+74% vs national
Gini Index
0.4023
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
27.5%
+429% vs national
SNAP Recipients
35.0%
of households
How Bolton Compares
Bolton vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with under 10,000 residents. Bolton is highlighted.
Median Household Income
Bolton, NC has a median household income of $46,250, making it the 22,998th highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Bolton has a higher median household income than 18% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
Bolton, NC has a per capita income of $17,262, making it the 26,996th highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Bolton has a higher per capita income than 4% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
Bolton, NC has a poverty rate of 23.7%, making it the 5,266th highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that Bolton has a higher poverty rate than 83% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
Bolton, NC has a unemployment rate of 27.5%, making it the 536th highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that Bolton has a higher unemployment rate than 98% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Bolton. The median household income here is $46,250.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
27.5%
+374% vs NC avg
Labor Force
189
Employed
137
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
1.3%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
23.2%
of adults 25+
Median Age
38.4
Work from Home
5.1%
of workers
Top Occupations & Wages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (2024)
Data represents the North Carolina metro area
Highest-Paying Job
Software Developers
Top Median Wage
$131.0K
per year
Occupations Tracked
20
Cost of Living
Overall Index
74.6
100 = national avg
-25.4 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$32,812
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$77,556
per year
Cost Index by Category
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD
1 Bedroom
$722
per month
2 Bedroom
$925
per month
The median household income in Bolton, NC is $46,250, which is 36.8% below the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $17,262. The poverty rate of 23.7% is higher than the NC state average of 16.0%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.4023, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 27.5%, compared to the state average of 5.8%. The labor force is 189. 1.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. About 55.1% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 74.6, which is 25.4% below the national average. Housing costs are below the national average at an index of 66.5. A single adult needs to earn approximately $32,812 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotZillow — January 2026
Zillow Home Value Index
$165,536
Bolton vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with under 10,000 residents. Bolton is highlighted.
Median Home Value
Bolton, NC has a median home value of $125,000, making it the 18,852nd highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that Bolton has a higher median home value than 33% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$125,000
Median Rent
N/A
Total Housing Units
193
Vacancy Rate
15.5%
Owner Occupied
84.7%
Renter Occupied
15.3%
Median Property Tax
$1,108
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$688
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$1,108
per year
Effective Tax Rate
0.89%
of home value
Median Home Value
$125,000
Estimated Mean Tax
$1,168
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($1,108) by the median home value ($125,000). In Bolton, NC, this works out to an effective rate of 0.89%. This is below the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The median home value in Bolton, NC is $125,000. According to Zillow, the home value index for Bolton is $165,536. About 84.7% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1973. There are 193 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $1,108. The effective tax rate is 0.89%, below the national average.
Crime data is not yet available for Bolton. The FBI UCR/NIBRS program does not cover all jurisdictions.
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
86.9
Relatively Moderate
Expected Annual Loss
80.8
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
88.3
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
23.2
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
27
Public Assistance
$9.1M
Individual Assistance
$3.4M
Most Common Type
Hurricane
21 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm → | Winter Storm | Jan 2026 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Debby → | Tropical Storm | Aug 2024 | $223K | — |
| Hurricane Ian → | Hurricane | Oct 2022 | $24K | — |
| Hurricane Isaias → | Hurricane | Oct 2020 | — | — |
| Hurricane Isaias → | Hurricane | Aug 2020 | — | — |
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Mar 2020 | $329K | $47K |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Hurricane Dorian → | Hurricane | Oct 2019 | $323K | — |
| Hurricane Dorian → | Hurricane | Sep 2019 | — | — |
| Hurricane Florence → | Hurricane | Sep 2018 | $3.8M | $1.6M |
| Hurricane Florence → | Hurricane | Sep 2018 | — | — |
| Hurricane Matthew → | Hurricane | Oct 2016 | $3.1M | $178K |
| Hurricane Matthew → | Hurricane | Oct 2016 | — | — |
| Hurricane Irene → | Hurricane | Aug 2011 | $81K | $27K |
| Hurricane Irene → | Hurricane | Aug 2011 | — | — |
| Hurricane Earl → | Hurricane | Sep 2010 | — | — |
| Hurricane Ophelia → | Hurricane | Sep 2005 | $9K | — |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation → | Hurricane | Sep 2005 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Frances → | Hurricane | Sep 2004 | — | $600K |
| Hurricane Isabel → | Hurricane | Sep 2003 | — | $971K |
Showing 20 of 31 disasters
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
712
Total Claims Paid
$24,291,020
Avg Claim Payout
$34,117
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
14
Federal Funding
$2,999,300
Properties Protected
71
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
1.79
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 9 | $2,637,825 |
| 202.1: Elevation of Private Structures - Riverine | 1 | $190,831 |
| 207.2: Mitigation Reconstruction | 1 | $130,540 |
| 400.1: Utility Protective Measures (Electric, Gas, etc.) | 1 | $3,204 |
| 103.1: Feasibility, Engineering and Design Studies | 1 | $21,900 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Bolton has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are strong wind, hurricane, lightning. The area has had 27 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (21 declarations). 712 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $9,125,430 in public assistance recovery funding. $3,435,876 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 14 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.
Health
Community Health
Source: CDC PLACES
Obesity Rate
46.4%
10.3pp above the national average
Depression Rate
22.5%
1.0pp below the national average
Diabetes Rate
19.9%
8.0pp above the national average
Uninsured Rate
12.0%
1.4pp above the national average
Health Scorecard
Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)
Health Outcomes
Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.
High Cholesterol
38.9%
Arthritis
34.3%
Cancer (excl. skin)
7.2%
Teeth Lost (65+)
30.3%
Health Risk Behaviors
Prevention & Screening
Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Frequent Mental Distress
18.6%
14+ days in past month
Depression
22.5%
Loneliness
35.6%
Lack of Support
28.6%
Disability Prevalence
Any Disability
41.1%
Mobility
23.0%
Cognitive
18.2%
Hearing
8.3%
Vision
9.1%
Self-Care
7.3%
Independent Living
12.3%
Health-Related Social Needs
Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health
Bolton has an obesity rate of 46.4%, which is 10.3pp above the national average. The depression rate is 22.5%, 1.0pp below the national average. About 12.0% of adults lack health insurance. 83.5% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.
Nearby Hospitals
Source: CMS Hospital Compare
Nearest Hospitals
5
With Emergency Services
3
Avg CMS Rating
1.0 / 5
Nearest Hospital
16.6 mi
Columbus Regional Healthcare S...
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Regional Healthcare System | 16.6 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 1/5 | Yes |
| Strategic Behavioral Center-Leland | 17.1 mi | Psychiatric | — | — |
| Wilmington Treatment Center | 24.5 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | — | — |
| Cape Fear Valley-Bladen County Hospital | 25.3 mi | Critical Access Hospitals | — | Yes |
| J Arthur Dosher Memorial Hospital | 31.2 mi | Critical Access Hospitals | — | Yes |
Climate & Environment
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
1
Pop. Served
668
Violations (5yr)
1
| System Name | Pop. Served | Violations (5yr) |
|---|---|---|
| BOLTON, TOWN OF | 668 | 1 |
There are 1 water system serving the area. 1 water quality violation has been reported in the past 5 years.
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Drive Alone
55.1%
-30% vs national
Work From Home
5.1%
-45% vs national
Carpool
39.8%
How Bolton's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
Traffic Fatalities
Source: NHTSA FARS (2019)Fatalities
1
2019
1-Year Avg
1
fatalities/yr
Alcohol-Related
1
100% of total
Nighttime
1
dark conditions
Data from NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Includes only crashes involving at least one fatality.
Commute data for Bolton, NC covers travel times and transportation modes. 55.1% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 5.1% work from home, which is below the NC state average of 9.4%. 39.8% of workers carpool. In 2019, there were 1 traffic fatality from 1 fatal crash.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
69.3%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
56.4%
of households
No Internet
29.5%
of households
Total Households
163
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
84.1%
of households
Smartphone
79.1%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
67.5%
of households
Tablet
42.3%
of households
Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).
Electricity Rates
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)Residential Rate
14.1¢
per kWh
-26% vs Under 10,000 avg
Commercial Rate
10.6¢
per kWh
-32% vs Under 10,000 avg
Industrial Rate
7.8¢
per kWh
-35% vs Under 10,000 avg
Avg Monthly Bill
$144
residential
-2% vs Under 10,000 avg
17% below the national average of 17.1¢/kWh
Residential electricity in North Carolina averages 14.1¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1¢. The average monthly electric bill is $144. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).
Bolton vs Similar Cities
Source: EIA (2024)Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (Under 10,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.
Residential Rate (¢/kWh)
Commercial Rate (¢/kWh)
Industrial Rate (¢/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
1
Population Served
668
Violations (5yr)
1
| System Name | Type | Source | Pop. Served | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOLTON, TOWN OF | Community | Ground water | 668 | 1 |
69.3% of households in Bolton have broadband internet access. 56.4% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 5.5% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 29.5% of households have no internet access. 16.6% use only a smartphone without a desktop or laptop. The area is served by 1 water system, providing water to 668 people. A total of 1 water quality violation has been recorded over the past 5 years.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Bolton is located in Columbus County, NC. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Bolton.
Election Overview
Source: Columbus County (2024)2024 Winner
Republican
Dem Votes
8,648
32.8%
GOP Votes
17,592
66.7%
Total Votes
26,363
Margin
R+33.9%
Shift from 2020
R+6.0pp
vs prior election
Election History
Source: County-Level Election Results| Year | Dem Votes | GOP Votes | Total | Dem % | GOP % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8,648 | 17,592 | 26,363 | 32.8% | 66.7% | R+33.9 |
| 2020 | 9,446 | 16,832 | 26,446 | 35.7% | 63.6% | R+27.9 |
| 2016 | 8,991 | 14,177 | 23,472 | 38.3% | 60.4% | R+22.1 |
In the 2024 presidential election, Columbus County recorded 26,363 total votes. Republicans won the county with 66.7% of the vote compared to 32.8% for Democrats, a margin of R+33.9%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+6.0pp from the previous election. Since 2016, Columbus County has shifted 11.8 percentage points toward Republicans.
Nonprofits Overview
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFTotal Nonprofits
9
Total Assets
$1.6M
Total Income
$2.1M
Per 10K Residents
191.9
nonprofits
+25.2% vs peers avg
Orgs with >$1M Assets
0
Median Assets
$474K
Oldest Active
1977
ruling year
Newest Org
2025
ruling year
Nonprofits by Category
Source: IRS / NTEE ClassificationNonprofit Size Distribution
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFNumber of nonprofits by total asset size
When Were Nonprofits Founded?
Source: IRS Ruling DateNumber of currently active nonprofits by founding decade
Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: IRS BMF + Census ACSCompared to cities with population Under 10,000
Largest Nonprofits in Bolton
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMF| Organization | Category | Assets | Income | Est. | IRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WACCAMAW SIOUAN INDIAN TRIBE INC | Human Services | $958K | $1.4M | 1977 | |
| BUCKHEAD FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT | Public Safety | $474K | $531K | 2005 | |
| BOLTON VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPT INC | Public Safety | $216K | $190K | 2011 |
Bolton, NC has 9 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $1.6M. The most common category is Human Services, with 4 organizations. That works out to 191.9 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1977.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
4
Total Population
10,443
Avg Median Income
$58,722
Avg Home Value
$182,875
ZIP Code Details
Source: Census ACS| ZIP Code | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Median Rent | Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28423 | 2,477 | $45,556 | $120,600 | $939 | 122.1 |
| 28436 | 2,145 | $66,250 | $190,500 | $1,131 | 43.6 |
| 28450 | 2,256 | $74,917 | $266,800 | $983 | 58.2 |
| 28456 | 3,565 | $48,164 | $153,600 | $841 | 78.8 |
Bolton, NC has 4 ZIP codes with a combined population of 10,443. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is $58,722. The average median home value is $182,875. The average median monthly rent is $974.
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