Valdese, NC Demographics

A map of Valdese's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	4,057	4,097	86.2%	87.4%
Hispanic	246	161	5.2%	3.4%
Black	153	77	3.3%	1.6%
Asian	144	160	3.1%	3.4%
Multiracial	102	167	2.2%	3.6%
Native American/Other	2	27	0.0%	0.6%

Valdese, North Carolina has an estimated population of 4,704, a less than 1% change from the 4,689 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 86.2% White, 5.2% Hispanic, 3.3% Black, 3.1% Asian, 2.2% Multiracial, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Valdese, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Valdese has become 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 Valdese, that probability was 23.3% in 2020 and 25.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Valdese is ranked the 178th 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). Valdese was ranked the 172nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Valdese's White Population

4,057 residents of Valdese, or 86.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Valdese is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Valdese ranks 147th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Valdese's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Valdese's population has decreased from 87.4% to 86.2%.

Valdese is more White than neighboring Drexel (80.3% White), and Connelly Springs (80.9% White). Valdese is less White than neighboring Rutherford College (87.6% White), and Sawmills (93.8% White).

Valdese's Black Population

153 residents of Valdese, or 3.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Valdese is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Valdese ranks 643rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Valdese's Black population has grown by an estimated 98.7%. Black residents' share of Valdese's population has increased from 1.6% to 3.3%.

Valdese is more Black than neighboring Rutherford College (0% Black), Drexel (1.7% Black), Cajah's Mountain (0% Black), and Sawmills (1.2% Black). Valdese is less Black than neighboring Connelly Springs (4.4% Black).

Valdese's Asian Population

144 residents of Valdese, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Valdese is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Valdese ranks 54th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Valdese's Asian population has declined by an estimated 10.0%. Asian residents' share of Valdese's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.1%.

Valdese is more Asian than neighboring Drexel (2.6% Asian), Cajah's Mountain (0.2% Asian), and Sawmills (0% Asian). Valdese is less Asian than neighboring Rutherford College (4.4% Asian), and Connelly Springs (6.6% Asian).

Valdese's Hispanic Population

246 residents of Valdese, or 5.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Valdese is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Valdese ranks 584th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Valdese's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 52.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Valdese's population has increased from 3.4% to 5.2%.

Valdese is more Hispanic than neighboring Rutherford College (5% Hispanic), and Sawmills (2.9% Hispanic). Valdese is less Hispanic than neighboring Drexel (9% Hispanic), Connelly Springs (7.5% Hispanic), and Cajah's Mountain (13.1% Hispanic).

Valdese's Native American/Other Population

2 residents of Valdese, 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 Valdese is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Valdese ranks 516th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Valdese's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 92.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Valdese's population has decreased from 0.6% to 0.0%.

Valdese is less Native American/Other than neighboring Drexel (1.7% Native American/Other), and Cajah's Mountain (0.2% Native American/Other).

Valdese's Multiracial Population

102 residents of Valdese, or 2.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Valdese is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Valdese ranks 417th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Valdese's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 38.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Valdese's population has decreased from 3.6% to 2.2%.

Valdese is more Multiracial than neighboring Connelly Springs (0.6% Multiracial), Cajah's Mountain (0.3% Multiracial), and Sawmills (2.1% Multiracial). Valdese is less Multiracial than neighboring Rutherford College (3% Multiracial), and Drexel (4.6% 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.