Mills River, NC Demographics

A map of Mills River's Population by Race

Mills River, North Carolina has an estimated population of 7,281, a slight increase from the 7,078 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 79.9% White, 8.9% Hispanic, 4.5% Asian, 4.4% Multiracial, 1.9% Black, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Mills River, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Mills River has become considerably more 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 Mills River, that probability was 22.7% in 2020 and 35.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Mills River is ranked the 131st 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). Mills River was ranked the 129th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Mills River's White Population

5,814 residents of Mills River, or 79.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Mills River is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Mills River ranks 137th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Mills River's White population has declined by an estimated 6.3%. White residents' share of Mills River's population has decreased from 87.6% to 79.9%.

Mills River is more White than neighboring Avery Creek (74.2% White). Mills River is less White than neighboring Horse Shoe (92.1% White), Etowah (83.4% White), Mountain Home (80.6% White), and Fletcher (80.6% White).

Mills River's Black Population

135 residents of Mills River, or 1.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Mills River is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Mills River ranks 650th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Mills River's Black population has grown by an estimated 33.7%. Black residents' share of Mills River's population has increased from 1.4% to 1.9%.

Mills River is more Black than neighboring Horse Shoe (0.9% Black), Etowah (1.7% Black), and Mountain Home (1% Black). Mills River is less Black than neighboring Avery Creek (20.5% Black), and Fletcher (2.5% Black).

Mills River's Asian Population

325 residents of Mills River, or 4.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Mills River is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Mills River ranks 302nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Mills River's Asian population has grown by an estimated 424.2%. Asian residents' share of Mills River's population has increased from 0.9% to 4.5%.

Mills River is more Asian than neighboring Horse Shoe (0% Asian), Etowah (0% Asian), Avery Creek (0.5% Asian), Mountain Home (1.7% Asian), and Fletcher (3.9% Asian).

Mills River's Hispanic Population

648 residents of Mills River, or 8.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Mills River is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Mills River ranks 406th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Mills River's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 60.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Mills River's population has increased from 5.7% to 8.9%.

Mills River is more Hispanic than neighboring Horse Shoe (5% Hispanic), Avery Creek (0.1% Hispanic), and Fletcher (8.5% Hispanic). Mills River is less Hispanic than neighboring Etowah (9.9% Hispanic), and Mountain Home (15.5% Hispanic).

Mills River's Native American/Other Population

36 residents of Mills River, 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 Mills River is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Mills River ranks 310th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Mills River's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 41.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Mills River's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Mills River is more Native American/Other than neighboring Horse Shoe (0% Native American/Other), Avery Creek (0.3% Native American/Other), and Mountain Home (0.3% Native American/Other). Mills River is less Native American/Other than neighboring Etowah (2.8% Native American/Other), and Fletcher (1.6% Native American/Other).

Mills River's Multiracial Population

323 residents of Mills River, or 4.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Mills River is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Mills River ranks 434th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Mills River's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 30.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Mills River's population has increased from 3.5% to 4.4%.

Mills River is more Multiracial than neighboring Horse Shoe (1.9% Multiracial), Etowah (2.2% Multiracial), Avery Creek (4.3% Multiracial), Mountain Home (0.7% Multiracial), and Fletcher (2.9% 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.