Belhaven, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Belhaven, North Carolina had a total population of 1,577, the 385th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $32,644, which is 55% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 40.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 55% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (40.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.5% is notably above the national average.
Belhaven Quick Facts
How Belhaven 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 | 1,421 | 1,577 | +11.0% |
| Median household income | $33,958 | $32,644 | -3.9% |
| Median home value | $98,200 | $103,000 | +4.9% |
How Belhaven 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+)
Belhaven Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Beaufort County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 9,726 | $40,186 | 23.1% | $206,800 |
| River Road | 3,366 | $46,352 | 22.3% | $232,800 |
| Cypress Landing | 1,044 | $83,785 | 0.5% | $440,000 |
| Chocowinity | 903 | $41,382 | 26.9% | $114,300 |
| Aurora | 560 | $46,131 | 26.2% | $87,300 |
| Pantego | 493 | $60,417 | 5.7% | $111,900 |
| Washington Park | 456 | $88,750 | 16.4% | $315,500 |
| Bath | 391 | $103,611 | 10.0% | $382,400 |
| Bayview | 253 | $113,333 | 3.6% | $328,100 |
| Pinetown | 19 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Belhaven
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murphy | 1,604 | $37,263 | $250,000 | 26.8% | 17.5% |
| Coats | 1,664 | $37,009 | $125,200 | 19.1% | 21.6% |
| East Spencer | 1,434 | $34,417 | $112,000 | 11.9% | 26.7% |
| Hertford | 1,618 | $40,250 | $176,500 | 12.2% | 24.7% |
| West Canton | 1,412 | $34,464 | $197,000 | 15.4% | 7.9% |
Population Overview
Belhaven is a small community located in North Carolina, within Beaufort County. The total population is 1,577. It ranks as the 385th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Belhaven is 48.7 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 11.7% 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 is $32,644. This is 55% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 60% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 40.3%. This is 209% 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 12.5%. This is 165% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $103,000. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 53.3% 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 Belhaven is Black or African American, making up 50.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 37.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (50.9% vs 20.0%).
Education
12.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% 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 83.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Belhaven, 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 Belhaven, North Carolina?
Belhaven, North Carolina has a population of 1,577 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Belhaven, NC?
The median household income in Belhaven is $32,644, which is 60% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Belhaven, NC?
The poverty rate in Belhaven is 40.3%. This means approximately 631 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Belhaven, North Carolina?
Belhaven's population is 37.9% White, 50.9% Black, 10.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Belhaven, NC?
The median home value in Belhaven is $103,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Belhaven, North Carolina?
12.6% of adults (25+) in Belhaven hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.