Edgecombe County, North Carolina Demographics 2026
Edgecombe County, North Carolina has a population of 48,777, the 53rd most populous county in North Carolina. The median household income is $48,480 and the median home value is $116,800. The poverty rate is 21.9%.
Edgecombe County Quick Facts
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+)
Cities & Places in Edgecombe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarboro | 10,705 | $49,386 | 19.8% | $155,500 |
| Princeville | 1,502 | $49,583 | 24.1% | $99,100 |
| Pinetops | 1,323 | $54,196 | 18.4% | $132,600 |
| Conetoe | 562 | $38,955 | 73.0% | $79,000 |
| Macclesfield | 393 | $53,036 | 29.8% | $116,000 |
| Speed | 81 | N/A | 0.0% | $75,400 |
| Leggett | 50 | $42,188 | 2.0% | N/A |
Explore North Carolina Rankings
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. The county encompasses 7 Census-designated places.
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. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $78,538. 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%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Edgecombe County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023), with comparisons drawn against North Carolina and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Edgecombe County, North Carolina?
Edgecombe County has a population of 48,777, making it the 53rd most populous county in North Carolina.
What is the median income in Edgecombe County?
The median household income in Edgecombe County is $48,480 with a poverty rate of 21.9%.
How many cities are in Edgecombe County, North Carolina?
Edgecombe County contains 7 Census-designated places.