Locust, NC Demographics

A map of Locust's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	5,317	3,703	91.0%	81.6%
Hispanic	221	313	3.8%	6.9%
Black	156	249	2.7%	5.5%
Multiracial	146	196	2.5%	4.3%
Asian	0	44	0.0%	1.0%
Native American/Other	0	32	0.0%	0.7%

Locust, North Carolina has an estimated population of 5,840, a large increase from the 4,537 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 91.0% White, 3.8% Hispanic, 2.7% Black, 2.5% Multiracial, 0.0% Asian, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Locust, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Locust has become considerably less racially diverse since 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 Locust, that probability was 32.4% in 2020 and 16.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Locust is ranked the 154th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Locust was ranked the 180th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Locust's White Population

5,317 residents of Locust, or 91.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Locust is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Locust ranks 236th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Locust's White population has grown by an estimated 43.6%. White residents' share of Locust's population has increased from 81.6% to 91.0%.

Locust is more White than neighboring Stanfield (83.4% White), Midland (71.7% White), Mount Pleasant (85.9% White), and Oakboro (71.7% White). Locust is less White than neighboring Red Cross (97.1% White).

Locust's Black Population

156 residents of Locust, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Locust is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Locust ranks 500th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Locust's Black population has declined by an estimated 37.3%. Black residents' share of Locust's population has decreased from 5.5% to 2.7%.

Locust is more Black than neighboring Stanfield (0% Black), and Red Cross (0% Black). Locust is less Black than neighboring Midland (15.4% Black), Mount Pleasant (7.4% Black), and Oakboro (12.7% Black).

Locust's Asian Population

0 residents of Locust, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Locust is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Locust ranks 276th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Locust's Asian population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Asian residents' share of Locust's population has decreased from 1.0% to 0.0%.

Locust is less Asian than neighboring Stanfield (0.9% Asian), Midland (0.6% Asian), and Mount Pleasant (0.2% Asian).

Locust's Hispanic Population

221 residents of Locust, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Locust is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Locust ranks 340th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Locust's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 29.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Locust's population has decreased from 6.9% to 3.8%.

Locust is more Hispanic than neighboring Red Cross (0% Hispanic). Locust is less Hispanic than neighboring Stanfield (10.4% Hispanic), Midland (7.2% Hispanic), Mount Pleasant (5.3% Hispanic), and Oakboro (11.4% Hispanic).

Locust's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Locust, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Locust is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Locust ranks 416th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Locust's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Locust's population has decreased from 0.7% to 0.0%.

Locust is less Native American/Other than neighboring Stanfield (1.4% Native American/Other), Red Cross (0.2% Native American/Other), Midland (2.1% Native American/Other), Mount Pleasant (0.5% Native American/Other), and Oakboro (0.1% Native American/Other).

Locust's Multiracial Population

146 residents of Locust, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Locust is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Locust ranks 234th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Locust's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 25.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Locust's population has decreased from 4.3% to 2.5%.

Locust is more Multiracial than neighboring Mount Pleasant (0.8% Multiracial). Locust is less Multiracial than neighboring Stanfield (3.8% Multiracial), Red Cross (2.7% Multiracial), Midland (2.9% Multiracial), and Oakboro (4% 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.