Fountain, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fountain, North Carolina had a total population of 409, the 620th largest town in North Carolina. The poverty rate is 57.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (57.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 28.6% is notably above the national average.
Fountain Quick Facts
How Fountain 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 | 317 | 409 | +29.0% |
| Median home value | $120,600 | $134,700 | +11.7% |
How Fountain 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+)
Fountain Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Pitt County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | 92,857 | $49,748 | 24.6% | $233,500 |
| Winterville | 10,725 | $83,193 | 9.8% | $245,100 |
| Ayden | 5,150 | $42,413 | 22.4% | $182,400 |
| Farmville | 4,514 | $47,410 | 28.1% | $183,000 |
| Grifton | 2,515 | $36,794 | 32.7% | $152,700 |
| Bethel | 1,544 | $52,961 | 16.8% | $107,800 |
| Grimesland | 650 | $42,232 | 25.8% | $208,700 |
| Simpson | 432 | $39,464 | 27.4% | $177,800 |
| Bell Arthur | 374 | N/A | 13.0% | $159,400 |
| Belvoir | 272 | N/A | 6.6% | $144,400 |
Cities Similar to Fountain
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | 409 | $53,462 | $205,700 | 0.0% | 12.7% |
| Crouse | 408 | N/A | $212,300 | 10.6% | 0.0% |
| Seagrove | 407 | $64,926 | $157,500 | 24.7% | 14.5% |
| Topsail Beach | 406 | $93,250 | $691,200 | 59.1% | 7.6% |
| Dover | 404 | $37,250 | $131,800 | 7.8% | 32.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 409, Fountain's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Fountain is a small community located in North Carolina, within Pitt County. The total population is 409. It ranks as the 620th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fountain is 36.1 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 57.7%. This is 343% 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 28.6%. This is 505% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $134,700. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $288,900. 53.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fountain is Black or African American, making up 58.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 41.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (58.0% vs 20.0%).
Education
23.3% 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 91.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fountain, 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 Fountain, North Carolina?
Fountain, North Carolina has a population of 409 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fountain, NC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Fountain — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fountain, NC?
The poverty rate in Fountain is 57.7%. This means approximately 236 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fountain, North Carolina?
Fountain's population is 41.1% White, 58.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fountain, NC?
The median home value in Fountain is $134,700.
How educated is Fountain, North Carolina?
23.3% of adults (25+) in Fountain hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.