Atlantic, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Atlantic, North Carolina had a total population of 522, the 581st largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $51,071, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Atlantic Quick Facts
How Atlantic Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 541 | 522 | -3.5% |
| Median household income | $48,750 | $51,071 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $157,000 | $154,300 | -1.7% |
How Atlantic Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Atlantic Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Carteret County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morehead City | 9,806 | $56,233 | 18.1% | $357,400 |
| Beaufort | 4,689 | $53,321 | 11.2% | $354,900 |
| Newport | 4,441 | $56,351 | 10.7% | $233,600 |
| Emerald Isle | 3,934 | $89,773 | 4.9% | $603,700 |
| Cape Carteret | 2,703 | $86,136 | 6.1% | $375,700 |
| Cedar Point | 1,917 | $98,750 | 5.4% | $423,700 |
| Broad Creek | 1,836 | $57,500 | 7.8% | $244,200 |
| Atlantic Beach | 1,719 | $70,402 | 15.6% | $498,400 |
| Pine Knoll Shores | 1,351 | $109,375 | 3.5% | $592,300 |
| Brandywine Bay | 1,313 | $105,000 | 1.2% | $371,500 |
Cities Similar to Atlantic
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruth | 510 | $51,250 | $138,300 | 14.3% | 35.7% |
| High Shoals | 534 | $53,333 | $230,400 | 10.4% | 23.2% |
| Pink Hill | 527 | $46,635 | $99,300 | 23.9% | 24.9% |
| Bolton | 504 | $48,450 | $146,700 | 7.0% | 24.6% |
| Parkton | 529 | $56,250 | $151,900 | 17.1% | 20.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 522, Atlantic's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Atlantic is a small community located in North Carolina, within Carteret County. The total population is 522. It ranks as the 581st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Atlantic is 35.6 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. 14.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Atlantic is $51,071. This is 29% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.2%. This is 40% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $154,300. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 90.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Atlantic has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.1% vs 60.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (5.6%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
11.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Atlantic, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Atlantic, North Carolina?
Atlantic, North Carolina has a population of 522 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Atlantic, NC?
The median household income in Atlantic is $51,071, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Atlantic, NC?
The poverty rate in Atlantic is 18.2%. This means approximately 95 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Atlantic, North Carolina?
Atlantic's population is 94.1% White, 0.0% Black, 5.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Atlantic, NC?
The median home value in Atlantic is $154,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Atlantic, North Carolina?
11.5% of adults (25+) in Atlantic hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.