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Belhaven town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 45.5% is well above the state average

As of 2026, Belhaven town, North Carolina has a total population of 1,421, the 395th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $33,958, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 45.5%.

Key Takeaways

Belhaven town Quick Facts

Population 1,421
Median Household Income $33,958
Median Home Value $98,200
Poverty Rate 45.5%
Unemployment Rate 17.2%
Median Age 47.0 years
Homeownership Rate 59.9%
Affordability Ratio 2.9x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 12.1%
High School Graduation Rate 80.0%
Diversity Index 60/100
Population 1,421 395th of 774
Median Income $33,958 bottom 10%
Poverty Rate 45.5% 266% higher national
Median Home Value $98,200 bottom 20%

How Belhaven town Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

17.2% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8% | National: 5.2%
45.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 59.9%
Renter 40.1%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.9x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

60out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 57 | National average: 60

Education

Belhaven town Rankings in North Carolina

#395 Population of 774
#658 Median Income of 774
#609 Education of 774
#643 Home Value of 774

Cities Similar to Belhaven town

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Star town1,430$37,135$131,6009.5%28.1%
West Canton CDP1,369$35,583$190,20014.2%9.1%
Spring Hope town1,334$35,577$142,40010.8%18.4%
Murphy town1,356$36,989$221,10024.6%20.6%
East Spencer town1,309$34,696$108,50010.3%28.9%

Population Overview

Belhaven town is a small community located in North Carolina. The total population is 1,421. It ranks as the 395th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Belhaven town is 47.0 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 10.4% 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 Belhaven town is $33,958. This is 51% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 57% lower. The poverty rate stands at 45.5%. This is 246% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 17.2%. This is 256% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $98,200. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Belhaven town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Belhaven town is Black or African American, making up 48.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (48.6% vs 20.3%).

Education

12.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Belhaven town, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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 Belhaven town, North Carolina?

Belhaven town, North Carolina has a population of 1,421 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Belhaven town, NC?

The median household income in Belhaven town is $33,958, which is 57% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Belhaven town, NC?

The poverty rate in Belhaven town is 45.5%. This means approximately 643 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Belhaven town, North Carolina?

Belhaven town's population is 39.1% White, 48.6% Black, 12.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Belhaven town, NC?

The median home value in Belhaven town is $98,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.

How educated is Belhaven town, North Carolina?

12.1% of adults (25+) in Belhaven town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.