Cove City, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cove City, North Carolina had a total population of 504, the 587th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $41,522, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
Cove City Quick Facts
How Cove City 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 | 583 | 504 | -13.6% |
| Median household income | $50,893 | $41,522 | -18.4% |
| Median home value | $78,800 | $81,700 | +3.7% |
How Cove City 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cove City Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Craven County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Bern | 32,734 | $61,031 | 17.3% | $240,100 |
| Havelock | 17,691 | $58,408 | 14.3% | $207,700 |
| James City | 4,789 | $58,973 | 11.7% | $204,400 |
| Trent Woods | 4,032 | $107,802 | 3.5% | $343,100 |
| Brices Creek | 3,415 | $85,723 | 3.4% | $338,700 |
| Fairfield Harbour | 2,948 | $72,583 | 7.1% | $300,600 |
| River Bend | 2,874 | $71,824 | 8.2% | $266,100 |
| Neuse Forest | 2,671 | $84,500 | 4.6% | $228,000 |
| Cherry Branch | 1,684 | $104,432 | 1.4% | $262,200 |
| Vanceboro | 1,030 | $34,514 | 36.8% | $148,400 |
Cities Similar to Cove City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodland | 497 | $37,750 | $112,500 | 10.1% | 22.4% |
| Bolton | 504 | $48,450 | $146,700 | 7.0% | 24.6% |
| Littleton | 549 | $42,083 | $108,700 | 25.9% | 23.9% |
| Whitakers | 494 | $48,869 | $148,300 | 19.5% | 10.5% |
| Pink Hill | 527 | $46,635 | $99,300 | 23.9% | 24.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 504, Cove City's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Cove City is a small community located in North Carolina, within Craven County. The total population is 504. It ranks as the 587th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cove City is 58.0 years. This is 48% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 19.4% 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 Cove City is $41,522. This is 43% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.8%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Cove City, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $81,700. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Cove City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cove City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 21.4%.
Education
29.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% 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 90.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cove City, 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 Cove City, North Carolina?
Cove City, North Carolina has a population of 504 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cove City, NC?
The median household income in Cove City is $41,522, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cove City, NC?
The poverty rate in Cove City is 11.8%. This means approximately 59 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cove City, North Carolina?
Cove City's population is 66.7% White, 21.4% Black, 8.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cove City, NC?
The median home value in Cove City is $81,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Cove City, North Carolina?
29.0% of adults (25+) in Cove City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.