Edenton, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Edenton, North Carolina had a total population of 4,494, the 190th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $38,417, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.1x the median household income.
Edenton Quick Facts
How Edenton 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 | 4,480 | 4,494 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $42,721 | $38,417 | -10.1% |
| Median home value | $226,800 | $274,100 | +20.9% |
How Edenton 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+)
Edenton Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Chowan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrowhead Beach | 1,242 | $66,667 | 39.9% | $198,200 |
| Cape Colony | 509 | $78,152 | 14.1% | $221,400 |
| Chowan Beach | 325 | $23,095 | 67.7% | $92,800 |
Cities Similar to Edenton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Wilkesboro | 4,421 | $38,474 | $212,700 | 24.7% | 23.8% |
| Ahoskie | 4,764 | $40,987 | $143,200 | 22.6% | 27.7% |
| Raeford | 4,552 | $46,494 | $201,800 | 23.6% | 20.7% |
| Farmville | 4,514 | $47,410 | $183,000 | 31.8% | 28.1% |
| Spindale | 4,131 | $41,262 | $167,400 | 15.5% | 21.8% |
Population Overview
Edenton is a small community located in North Carolina, within Chowan County. The total population is 4,494. It ranks as the 190th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Edenton is 46.7 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Edenton is $38,417. This is 47% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.9%. This is 130% 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 Edenton, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $274,100. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 51.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Edenton is Black or African American, making up 59.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (59.3% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
23.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 89.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Edenton, 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 Edenton, North Carolina?
Edenton, North Carolina has a population of 4,494 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Edenton, NC?
The median household income in Edenton is $38,417, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Edenton, NC?
The poverty rate in Edenton is 29.9%. This means approximately 1,282 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Edenton, North Carolina?
Edenton's population is 39.0% White, 59.3% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Edenton, NC?
The median home value in Edenton is $274,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.1x.
How educated is Edenton, North Carolina?
23.1% of adults (25+) in Edenton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.