Edgecombe County, North Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Edgecombe County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 48,777. It is the 53rd most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Edgecombe County is 41.7 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Edgecombe County is $48,480. This is 31% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.9%. This is 66% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 8.0%. This is 65% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $116,800. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Edgecombe County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Edgecombe County is Black or African American, making up 55.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 35.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (55.8% vs 20.3%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

16.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.4%.