Cape Carteret, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cape Carteret, North Carolina had a total population of 2,703, the 281st largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $86,136, which is 19% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
Cape Carteret Quick Facts
How Cape Carteret 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 | 2,598 | 2,703 | +4.0% |
| Median household income | $75,313 | $86,136 | +14.4% |
| Median home value | $347,500 | $375,700 | +8.1% |
How Cape Carteret 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+)
Cape Carteret 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 |
| Beaufort | 4,689 | $53,321 | 11.2% | $354,900 |
| Newport | 4,441 | $56,351 | 10.7% | $233,600 |
| Emerald Isle | 3,934 | $89,773 | 4.9% | $603,700 |
| 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 Cape Carteret
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Hill | 2,675 | $86,599 | $353,100 | 43.6% | 7.9% |
| Neuse Forest | 2,671 | $84,500 | $228,000 | 31.0% | 4.6% |
| Sneads Ferry | 2,728 | $79,594 | $269,300 | 24.8% | 13.3% |
| Tobaccoville | 2,664 | $80,263 | $234,200 | 28.3% | 8.5% |
| Belville | 2,573 | $81,944 | $282,600 | 28.7% | 10.7% |
Population Overview
Cape Carteret is a small community located in North Carolina, within Carteret County. The total population is 2,703. It ranks as the 281st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cape Carteret is 46.3 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cape Carteret is $86,136. This is 19% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 7% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.1%. This is 53% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $375,700. Housing costs are 30% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 79.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cape Carteret has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (92.7% vs 60.0%). The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.4%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
37.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% 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 93.0%. Notably, 18.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cape Carteret, 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 Cape Carteret, North Carolina?
Cape Carteret, North Carolina has a population of 2,703 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cape Carteret, NC?
The median household income in Cape Carteret is $86,136, which is 7% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cape Carteret, NC?
The poverty rate in Cape Carteret is 6.1%. This means approximately 165 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cape Carteret, North Carolina?
Cape Carteret's population is 92.7% White, 0.3% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cape Carteret, NC?
The median home value in Cape Carteret is $375,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Cape Carteret, North Carolina?
37.9% of adults (25+) in Cape Carteret hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.