Greene County, North Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Greene County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 20,421. It is the 80th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 2 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Greene County is 39.6 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Greene County is $50,904. This is 27% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.4%. This is 70% 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 5.6%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $114,000. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Greene County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Greene County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 31.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (31.7% vs 20.3%). The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

12.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 65% 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 77.8%.