Barbecue, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Barbecue, North Carolina had a total population of 5,910, the 151st largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $79,426, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.9% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
Barbecue Quick Facts
How Barbecue 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 | 5,933 | 5,910 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $80,380 | $79,426 | -1.2% |
| Median home value | $199,300 | $219,800 | +10.3% |
How Barbecue 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+)
Barbecue Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Barbecue
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walkertown | 5,873 | $82,615 | $236,900 | 30.3% | 10.8% |
| Locust | 5,840 | $76,504 | $322,100 | 22.5% | 8.7% |
| Wrightsboro | 6,287 | $78,450 | $255,700 | 25.9% | 10.7% |
| Cramerton | 5,450 | $82,160 | $343,400 | 46.2% | 6.3% |
| Cherryville | 6,226 | $70,625 | $232,100 | 24.8% | 12.4% |
Population Overview
Barbecue is a small city located in North Carolina. The total population is 5,910. It ranks as the 151st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Barbecue is 35.0 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Barbecue is $79,426. This is 10% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 2% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.9%. This is 70% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 68% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $219,800. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Barbecue is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Barbecue is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 29.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (21.1% vs 11.3%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
22.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 89.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Barbecue, 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.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Barbecue, North Carolina?
Barbecue, North Carolina has a population of 5,910 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Barbecue, NC?
The median household income in Barbecue is $79,426, which is 2% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Barbecue, NC?
The poverty rate in Barbecue is 3.9%. This means approximately 233 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Barbecue, North Carolina?
Barbecue's population is 44.7% White, 29.0% Black, 21.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Barbecue, NC?
The median home value in Barbecue is $219,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Barbecue, North Carolina?
22.1% of adults (25+) in Barbecue hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.