Chadbourn, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chadbourn, North Carolina had a total population of 1,352, the 407th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $45,787, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Chadbourn Quick Facts
How Chadbourn 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 | 1,347 | 1,352 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $19,853 | $45,787 | +130.6% |
| Median home value | $100,300 | $135,400 | +35.0% |
How Chadbourn 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+)
Chadbourn Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Columbus County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteville | 4,696 | $31,167 | 20.7% | $187,500 |
| Tabor City | 3,777 | $38,714 | 32.9% | $115,900 |
| Lake Waccamaw | 1,770 | $72,500 | 9.3% | $305,900 |
| Brunswick | 937 | $22,500 | 64.5% | $82,500 |
| Sandyfield | 763 | $41,667 | 29.6% | $69,100 |
| Fair Bluff | 695 | $31,389 | 28.3% | $101,400 |
| Riegelwood | 649 | $49,583 | 11.3% | $200,300 |
| Bolton | 504 | $48,450 | 24.6% | $146,700 |
| Evergreen | 421 | N/A | 34.4% | N/A |
| Cerro Gordo | 319 | N/A | 25.1% | $189,900 |
Cities Similar to Chadbourn
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maury | 1,339 | N/A | N/A | 3.3% | 54.7% |
| Buxton | 1,267 | N/A | $409,900 | 25.5% | 6.7% |
| Moravian Falls | 1,285 | $47,548 | $218,800 | 10.6% | 5.4% |
| Rose Hill | 1,309 | $49,375 | $125,000 | 13.1% | 23.5% |
| West Jefferson | 1,436 | $46,827 | $232,400 | 22.2% | 20.8% |
Population Overview
Chadbourn is a small community located in North Carolina, within Columbus County. The total population is 1,352. It ranks as the 407th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chadbourn is 49.3 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chadbourn is $45,787. This is 37% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.6%. This is 135% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Chadbourn, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $135,400. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 54.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chadbourn is Black or African American, making up 56.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (56.1% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
7.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 79% 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 93.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chadbourn, 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 Chadbourn, North Carolina?
Chadbourn, North Carolina has a population of 1,352 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chadbourn, NC?
The median household income in Chadbourn is $45,787, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chadbourn, NC?
The poverty rate in Chadbourn is 30.6%. This means approximately 412 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chadbourn, North Carolina?
Chadbourn's population is 33.7% White, 56.1% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chadbourn, NC?
The median home value in Chadbourn is $135,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Chadbourn, North Carolina?
7.5% of adults (25+) in Chadbourn hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.