Ellerbe, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ellerbe, North Carolina had a total population of 1,036, the 452nd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $34,808, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 20.0% is notably above the national average.
Ellerbe Quick Facts
How Ellerbe 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 | 1,070 | 1,036 | -3.2% |
| Median household income | $48,404 | $34,808 | -28.1% |
| Median home value | $107,200 | $78,000 | -27.2% |
How Ellerbe 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+)
Ellerbe Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Richmond County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockingham | 8,967 | $37,224 | 30.6% | $150,800 |
| Hamlet | 5,961 | $41,590 | 21.6% | $112,600 |
| East Rockingham | 2,779 | $34,355 | 31.0% | $111,800 |
| Cordova | 1,372 | $60,952 | 46.7% | $155,000 |
| Hoffman | 821 | N/A | 58.2% | $72,900 |
| Dobbins Heights | 560 | $18,958 | 50.0% | $56,000 |
| Roberdel | 279 | $85,380 | 8.2% | $110,900 |
| Norman | 89 | N/A | 58.4% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Ellerbe
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanceboro | 1,030 | $34,514 | $148,400 | 9.6% | 36.8% |
| Bonnetsville | 1,063 | N/A | N/A | 5.1% | 62.8% |
| West Marion | 1,066 | $36,715 | $161,600 | 15.7% | 15.1% |
| Magnolia | 1,024 | $39,406 | $114,400 | 12.8% | 41.3% |
| Five Points | 940 | N/A | $344,100 | 22.2% | 21.7% |
Population Overview
Ellerbe is a small community located in North Carolina, within Richmond County. The total population is 1,036. It ranks as the 452nd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ellerbe is 28.8 years. This is 26% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 32.6% of the population under 18, Ellerbe has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 11.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ellerbe is $34,808. This is 52% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.4%. This is 118% 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 unemployment rate is 20.0%. This is 323% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $78,000. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Ellerbe is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ellerbe is Black or African American, making up 49.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (49.3% vs 20.0%).
Education
8.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% 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 75.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ellerbe, 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 Ellerbe, North Carolina?
Ellerbe, North Carolina has a population of 1,036 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ellerbe, NC?
The median household income in Ellerbe is $34,808, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ellerbe, NC?
The poverty rate in Ellerbe is 28.4%. This means approximately 294 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ellerbe, North Carolina?
Ellerbe's population is 32.4% White, 49.3% Black, 13.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ellerbe, NC?
The median home value in Ellerbe is $78,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Ellerbe, North Carolina?
8.4% of adults (25+) in Ellerbe hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.