Beaufort, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Beaufort, North Carolina had a total population of 4,689, the 180th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $53,321, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Beaufort Quick Facts
How Beaufort 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 | 4,613 | 4,689 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $48,111 | $53,321 | +10.8% |
| Median home value | $319,700 | $354,900 | +11.0% |
How Beaufort 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+)
Beaufort 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 |
| 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 |
| Harkers Island | 1,060 | $60,000 | 10.4% | $313,100 |
Cities Similar to Beaufort
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randleman | 4,644 | $53,456 | $184,700 | 14.0% | 32.6% |
| Erwin | 4,687 | $50,701 | $161,100 | 17.3% | 12.2% |
| Valdese | 4,704 | $50,740 | $209,800 | 37.3% | 12.8% |
| China Grove | 4,530 | $54,083 | $225,800 | 12.3% | 17.2% |
| James City | 4,789 | $58,973 | $204,400 | 28.1% | 11.7% |
Population Overview
Beaufort is a small community located in North Carolina, within Carteret County. The total population is 4,689. It ranks as the 180th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Beaufort is 55.0 years. This is 41% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.9% 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 Beaufort is $53,321. This is 26% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.2%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $354,900. Housing costs are 23% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 53.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Beaufort is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.8%. The Black or African American population (9.8%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
40.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% higher 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 Beaufort, 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 Beaufort, North Carolina?
Beaufort, North Carolina has a population of 4,689 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Beaufort, NC?
The median household income in Beaufort is $53,321, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Beaufort, NC?
The poverty rate in Beaufort is 11.2%. This means approximately 500 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Beaufort, North Carolina?
Beaufort's population is 82.4% White, 9.8% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Beaufort, NC?
The median home value in Beaufort is $354,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.7x.
How educated is Beaufort, North Carolina?
40.2% of adults (25+) in Beaufort hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.