Catawba County Demographics

A map of Catawba County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	117,581	116,120	71.9%	72.3%
Hispanic	18,786	17,377	11.5%	10.8%
Black	12,518	12,628	7.7%	7.9%
Multiracial	6,985	6,552	4.3%	4.1%
Asian	6,955	6,937	4.3%	4.3%
Native American/Other	748	996	0.5%	0.6%

Catawba County, North Carolina has an estimated population of 163,573, a slight increase from the 160,610 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 71.9% White, 11.5% Hispanic, 7.7% Black, 4.3% Asian, 4.3% Multiracial, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Catawba County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Catawba is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Catawba County, that probability was 45.6% in 2020 and 46.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Catawba County is ranked the 18th most populous county in North Carolina, out of 100 counties. Catawba County was ranked the 18th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Catawba County's White Population

117,581 residents of Catawba County, or 71.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Catawba County is considerably higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Catawba County ranks 42nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Catawba County's White population has grown by an estimated 1.3%. White residents' share of Catawba County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 71.9%.

Catawba County is more White than neighboring Gaston County (66.4% White). Catawba County is less White than neighboring Lincoln County (82% White), Alexander County (85.5% White), Iredell County (72.7% White), and Caldwell County (85.3% White).

Catawba County's Black Population

12,518 residents of Catawba County, or 7.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Catawba County is considerably lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Catawba County ranks 68th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Catawba County's Black population has remained roughly the same. Black residents' share of Catawba County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.7%.

Catawba County is more Black than neighboring Lincoln County (5.9% Black), Alexander County (5% Black), and Caldwell County (4.1% Black). Catawba County is less Black than neighboring Gaston County (17.1% Black), and Iredell County (11.1% Black).

Catawba County's Asian Population

6,955 residents of Catawba County, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Catawba County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Catawba County ranks 7th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Catawba County's Asian population has remained roughly the same. Asian residents' share of Catawba County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.3%.

Catawba County is more Asian than neighboring Lincoln County (0.8% Asian), Alexander County (1% Asian), Gaston County (1.6% Asian), Iredell County (2.4% Asian), and Caldwell County (0.5% Asian).

Catawba County's Hispanic Population

18,786 residents of Catawba County, or 11.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Catawba County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Catawba County ranks 27th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Catawba County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 8.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Catawba County's population has increased from 10.8% to 11.5%.

Catawba County is more Hispanic than neighboring Lincoln County (8.1% Hispanic), Alexander County (5.6% Hispanic), Gaston County (9.9% Hispanic), Iredell County (9.3% Hispanic), and Caldwell County (6.7% Hispanic).

Catawba County's Native American/Other Population

748 residents of Catawba County, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Catawba County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Catawba County ranks 65th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Catawba County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 24.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Catawba County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Catawba County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lincoln County (0.4% Native American/Other), Alexander County (0.1% Native American/Other), and Caldwell County (0.2% Native American/Other). Catawba County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Gaston County (0.8% Native American/Other), and Iredell County (0.9% Native American/Other).

Catawba County's Multiracial Population

6,985 residents of Catawba County, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Catawba County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Catawba County ranks 19th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Catawba County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 6.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Catawba County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.3%.

Catawba County is more Multiracial than neighboring Lincoln County (2.9% Multiracial), Alexander County (2.8% Multiracial), Gaston County (4.2% Multiracial), Iredell County (3.7% Multiracial), and Caldwell County (3.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.