Elizabeth City, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elizabeth City, North Carolina had a total population of 18,871, the 54th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $52,141, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Elizabeth City Quick Facts
How Elizabeth City 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 | 18,740 | 18,871 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $50,947 | $52,141 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $202,100 | $187,700 | -7.1% |
How Elizabeth City 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+)
Elizabeth City Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Elizabeth City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenoir | 18,299 | $49,910 | $179,400 | 21.2% | 14.6% |
| Morganton | 17,646 | $51,355 | $221,700 | 26.1% | 25.7% |
| Graham | 18,048 | $56,239 | $233,800 | 24.7% | 16.8% |
| Lumberton | 18,859 | $42,877 | $152,600 | 19.2% | 30.8% |
| Havelock | 17,691 | $58,408 | $207,700 | 18.7% | 14.3% |
Population Overview
Elizabeth City is a small city located in North Carolina, within Pasquotank County. The total population is 18,871. It ranks as the 54th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elizabeth City is 36.5 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elizabeth City is $52,141. This is 28% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.3%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $187,700. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 44.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elizabeth City is Black or African American, making up 45.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 42.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (45.5% vs 20.0%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
27.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 86.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elizabeth City, 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 Elizabeth City, North Carolina?
Elizabeth City, North Carolina has a population of 18,871 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elizabeth City, NC?
The median household income in Elizabeth City is $52,141, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elizabeth City, NC?
The poverty rate in Elizabeth City is 13.3%. This means approximately 2,334 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elizabeth City, North Carolina?
Elizabeth City's population is 42.1% White, 45.5% Black, 7.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elizabeth City, NC?
The median home value in Elizabeth City is $187,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Elizabeth City, North Carolina?
27.2% of adults (25+) in Elizabeth City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.