Saluda: Demographics & People
Saluda's population stands at 683 people, in 301 households. Population grew 1.0% from 676 (2022) to 683 (2024). Median age 65.4 years. (10.5y older than Polk County; 29.2y older than North Carolina). Children under 18 are 13% of the population. Population is 89% White (non-Hispanic) and 2% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.06). 60% of households are family-led. County is gaining 3,076 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 34% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household (vs North Carolina avg 2.5).
- 40% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs North Carolina 42%).
- 186 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs North Carolina 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 1.0% from 676 (2022) to 683 (2024) — about 1.7× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~690 (extrapolated at 0.5%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 699.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 116,281 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 1.0% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 676 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 683 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 683 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Population Estimate | 699 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 65.4y is 26.5 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 13% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 65.4 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 13.3% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 683 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 91 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 55.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 184.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 353 |
| Population under 18 | 91 |
| Median age | 65.4 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 683 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.06 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 612 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 12 |
| Asian residents | 5 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 6.5% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 96.7% |
| Asian population | 1.2% (vs North Carolina 3.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 1.5% (vs North Carolina 12.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 88.7% (vs North Carolina 51.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 1.9% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 3% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 190 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 462 |
| Share born in this state | 27.8% |
| Share born in another state | 72.2% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 67.6% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.9% |
| Naturalized citizens | 2.6% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 16 |
| From Europe | 2 |
| From Africa | 3 |
Households & Family Composition
301 households. Averaging 2.1 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 60% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 180 families, 26% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 124 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 180 |
| Married couples with children | 46 |
| Single-parent households | 10 |
| Average household size | 2.15 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 9.5% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 1,518 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 672 |
| Family households | 182 households (vs North Carolina 17,226) |
| Households that are families | 60.5% (vs North Carolina 58.5%) |
| Total households | 301 households (vs North Carolina 25,235) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 11.5% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 3,076 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 11.5% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 112,548 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 109,472 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 3,076 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 61 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 11.4% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 83 residents live in group quarters (12.2% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 83 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 10 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 37089 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 37 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 089 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Henderson |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 19.4% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 17.00 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 21.90 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 37089 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Henderson County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 5,830 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 37089 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Henderson County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 83.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 64.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 41.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 117,417 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 1.80 |
| Family Score · Schools | 1 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 13.3% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 683, growing, retirement community, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 683 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Town Summary · County | Henderson County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade