Locust: Demographics & People
Census counts 5,840 people in Locust, in 2,193 households. Population grew 5.6% from 5,529 (2022) to 5,840 (2024). Median age 36.2 years. (4.3y younger than Stanly County). Children under 18 are 24% of the population. Population is 91% White (non-Hispanic) and 4% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.10). 69% of households are family-led. County is gaining 8,216 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 35% adult obesity, 12% smoke.
- 2.7 people per household (vs North Carolina avg 2.5).
- 31% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs North Carolina 42%).
- 76 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs North Carolina 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 5.6% from 5,529 (2022) to 5,840 (2024) — about 9.4× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~6,172 (extrapolated at 2.8%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 6,634.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 225,804 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 5.6% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 5,529 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 5,840 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 5,840 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Population Estimate | 6,634 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 36.2y is 2.7 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 24% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 36.2 years (at North Carolina median) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 23.8% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 5,840 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 1,390 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 1,480.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 1,837.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 1,133 |
| Population under 18 | 1,390 |
| Median age | 36.2 years (at North Carolina median) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 5,840 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.10 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 5,341 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 296 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 10.0% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 94.7% |
| Black population | 2.7% (vs North Carolina 26.0%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 3.8% (vs North Carolina 12.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 91.0% (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). 1.7% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 2% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 4,215 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 1,424 |
| Share born in this state | 72.2% |
| Share born in another state | 27.8% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 24.4% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.7% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.8% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 24 |
Households & Family Composition
2,193 households. Averaging 2.9 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 69% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 1,296 families, 30% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 1,470 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 1,296 |
| Married couples with children | 393 |
| Single-parent households | 26 |
| Average household size | 2.93 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 15.8% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 39 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 39 |
| Family households | 1,505 households (vs North Carolina 17,226) |
| Households that are families | 68.6% (vs North Carolina 58.5%) |
| Total households | 2,193 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. 9.8% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 8,216 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 9.8% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 234,678 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 226,462 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 8,216 |
| 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 | 483 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 10.3% |
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. 4 residents live in group quarters (0.1% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 4 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 8 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 37025 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 37 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 025 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Cabarrus |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 13.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 12.60 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 15.40 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 37025 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Cabarrus County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large fringe metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 7,904 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 37025 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Cabarrus County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 85.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 62.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 28.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 216,453 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.30 |
| Family Score · Schools | 2 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 23.8% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 5,840, booming, family-oriented, upper-middle, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 5,840 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Town Summary · County | Cabarrus County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade