Bladenboro, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bladenboro, North Carolina had a total population of 2,249, the 320th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $52,337, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Bladenboro Quick Facts
How Bladenboro 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 | 2,181 | 2,249 | +3.1% |
| Median household income | $55,517 | $52,337 | -5.7% |
| Median home value | $89,800 | $99,500 | +10.8% |
How Bladenboro 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+)
Bladenboro Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Bladen County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown | 3,277 | $29,375 | 33.0% | $159,200 |
| White Lake | 970 | $84,375 | 5.9% | $235,300 |
| Clarkton | 740 | $27,292 | 50.1% | $140,100 |
| Kelly | 616 | $52,703 | 5.7% | $128,200 |
| East Arcadia | 444 | $44,063 | 30.9% | $128,100 |
| Dublin | 349 | $51,429 | 23.8% | $134,600 |
| White Oak | 191 | $98,929 | 6.8% | $407,100 |
| Tar Heel | 69 | $27,014 | 8.7% | $160,000 |
| Butters | 62 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Bladenboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | 2,242 | $52,593 | $184,900 | 15.0% | 8.0% |
| Badin | 2,184 | $53,145 | $160,200 | 12.3% | 19.6% |
| Hildebran | 2,207 | $55,703 | $193,900 | 13.7% | 21.1% |
| Norwood | 2,433 | $51,639 | $185,200 | 20.0% | 8.6% |
| Burnsville | 2,082 | $50,997 | $243,500 | 25.0% | 26.1% |
Population Overview
Bladenboro is a small community located in North Carolina, within Bladen County. The total population is 2,249. It ranks as the 320th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bladenboro is 36.1 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 33.0% of the population under 18, Bladenboro has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bladenboro is $52,337. This is 28% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.3%. This is 109% 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 3.6%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $99,500. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Bladenboro is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bladenboro is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 20.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.0% vs 11.3%).
Education
13.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 82.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bladenboro, 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 Bladenboro, North Carolina?
Bladenboro, North Carolina has a population of 2,249 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bladenboro, NC?
The median household income in Bladenboro is $52,337, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bladenboro, NC?
The poverty rate in Bladenboro is 27.3%. This means approximately 611 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bladenboro, North Carolina?
Bladenboro's population is 58.5% White, 20.8% Black, 17.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bladenboro, NC?
The median home value in Bladenboro is $99,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Bladenboro, North Carolina?
13.6% of adults (25+) in Bladenboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.