Ayden, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ayden, North Carolina had a total population of 5,150, the 161st largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $42,413, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Ayden Quick Facts
How Ayden 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 | 5,035 | 5,150 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $41,711 | $42,413 | +1.7% |
| Median home value | $161,200 | $182,400 | +13.2% |
How Ayden 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ayden Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Pitt County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | 92,857 | $49,748 | 24.6% | $233,500 |
| Winterville | 10,725 | $83,193 | 9.8% | $245,100 |
| Farmville | 4,514 | $47,410 | 28.1% | $183,000 |
| Grifton | 2,515 | $36,794 | 32.7% | $152,700 |
| Bethel | 1,544 | $52,961 | 16.8% | $107,800 |
| Grimesland | 650 | $42,232 | 25.8% | $208,700 |
| Simpson | 432 | $39,464 | 27.4% | $177,800 |
| Fountain | 409 | N/A | 57.7% | $134,700 |
| Bell Arthur | 374 | N/A | 13.0% | $159,400 |
| Belvoir | 272 | N/A | 6.6% | $144,400 |
Cities Similar to Ayden
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wadesboro | 4,972 | $42,667 | $153,200 | 16.9% | 27.4% |
| Williamston | 5,112 | $38,738 | $107,100 | 14.3% | 36.3% |
| Long View | 5,011 | $46,739 | $157,300 | 7.9% | 11.3% |
| Ahoskie | 4,764 | $40,987 | $143,200 | 22.6% | 27.7% |
| Hamlet | 5,961 | $41,590 | $112,600 | 15.5% | 21.6% |
Population Overview
Ayden is a small city located in North Carolina, within Pitt County. The total population is 5,150. It ranks as the 161st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ayden is 41.9 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 11.3% 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 Ayden is $42,413. This is 41% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.4%. This is 72% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $182,400. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 59.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ayden is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 36.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (36.2% vs 20.0%).
Education
23.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ayden, 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 Ayden, North Carolina?
Ayden, North Carolina has a population of 5,150 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ayden, NC?
The median household income in Ayden is $42,413, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ayden, NC?
The poverty rate in Ayden is 22.4%. This means approximately 1,123 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ayden, North Carolina?
Ayden's population is 50.6% White, 36.2% Black, 11.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ayden, NC?
The median home value in Ayden is $182,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Ayden, North Carolina?
23.0% of adults (25+) in Ayden hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.