Dudley, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dudley, North Carolina had a total population of 2,305, the 317th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $42,050, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.7%.
Dudley Quick Facts
How Dudley 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 | 2,320 | 2,305 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $46,389 | $42,050 | -9.4% |
| Median home value | $100,700 | $90,000 | -10.6% |
How Dudley 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+)
Dudley Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro | 34,383 | $48,540 | 22.8% | $200,400 |
| Mount Olive | 4,453 | $48,700 | 17.6% | $153,500 |
| Elroy | 3,251 | $63,238 | 14.0% | $133,100 |
| Mar-Mac | 2,877 | $53,819 | 11.8% | $149,200 |
| Brogden | 2,733 | $42,074 | 31.1% | $96,400 |
| New Hope | 1,487 | $58,667 | 8.6% | $162,800 |
| Walnut Creek | 1,422 | $166,250 | 6.6% | $468,700 |
| Fremont | 943 | $51,667 | 28.2% | $147,800 |
| Pikeville | 776 | $62,396 | 15.2% | $140,800 |
| Eureka | 224 | $66,250 | 8.9% | $122,900 |
Cities Similar to Dudley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cricket | 2,317 | $39,859 | $140,600 | 13.8% | 27.0% |
| Spruce Pine | 2,398 | $42,098 | $207,500 | 24.4% | 22.5% |
| Taylorsville | 2,201 | $39,423 | $237,300 | 15.0% | 27.7% |
| Mayodan | 2,401 | $38,446 | $120,600 | 9.5% | 22.8% |
| Icard | 2,153 | $44,641 | $141,800 | 7.1% | 18.4% |
Population Overview
Dudley is a small community located in North Carolina, within Wayne County. The total population is 2,305. It ranks as the 317th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dudley is 24.0 years. This is 39% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 36.4% of the population under 18, Dudley has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dudley is $42,050. This is 42% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.3%. This is 171% 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 0.7%. This is 85% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $90,000. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Dudley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dudley is Hispanic or Latino, making up 55.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 41.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (41.6% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (55.6% vs 11.3%).
Education
18.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 45.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dudley, 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 Dudley, North Carolina?
Dudley, North Carolina has a population of 2,305 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dudley, NC?
The median household income in Dudley is $42,050, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dudley, NC?
The poverty rate in Dudley is 35.3%. This means approximately 766 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dudley, North Carolina?
Dudley's population is 0.8% White, 41.6% Black, 55.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dudley, NC?
The median home value in Dudley is $90,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Dudley, North Carolina?
18.7% of adults (25+) in Dudley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.