Dunn, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dunn, North Carolina had a total population of 8,559, the 112th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $46,830, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Dunn Quick Facts
How Dunn 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 | 8,512 | 8,559 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $47,310 | $46,830 | -1.0% |
| Median home value | $178,900 | $193,900 | +8.4% |
How Dunn 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+)
Dunn Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Harnett County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson Creek | 13,927 | $87,287 | 14.6% | $282,200 |
| Spout Springs | 11,242 | $92,402 | 4.2% | $358,500 |
| Lillington | 4,709 | $81,760 | 4.9% | $247,200 |
| Erwin | 4,687 | $50,701 | 12.2% | $161,100 |
| Buies Creek | 3,746 | $53,933 | 40.7% | $361,500 |
| Coats | 1,664 | $37,009 | 21.6% | $125,200 |
| Broadway | 1,657 | $64,926 | 20.5% | $254,500 |
| Bunnlevel | 844 | $74,818 | 0.0% | $189,100 |
| Mamers | 669 | $33,561 | 2.5% | $118,500 |
Cities Similar to Dunn
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | 8,304 | $44,953 | $212,000 | 23.8% | 23.6% |
| Siler City | 7,995 | $46,566 | $154,600 | 16.8% | 33.9% |
| Oxford | 8,914 | $43,054 | $196,200 | 19.2% | 28.3% |
| Brevard | 7,897 | $54,103 | $450,000 | 43.5% | 15.1% |
| Rockingham | 8,967 | $37,224 | $150,800 | 19.7% | 30.6% |
Population Overview
Dunn is a small city located in North Carolina, within Harnett County. The total population is 8,559. It ranks as the 112th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dunn is 43.2 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dunn is $46,830. This is 35% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.7%. This is 51% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $193,900. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 54.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dunn is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 32.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (32.6% vs 20.0%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
20.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 87.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dunn, 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 Dunn, North Carolina?
Dunn, North Carolina has a population of 8,559 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dunn, NC?
The median household income in Dunn is $46,830, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dunn, NC?
The poverty rate in Dunn is 19.7%. This means approximately 1,652 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dunn, North Carolina?
Dunn's population is 50.2% White, 32.6% Black, 11.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dunn, NC?
The median home value in Dunn is $193,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Dunn, North Carolina?
20.9% of adults (25+) in Dunn hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.