Greenville city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Greenville city is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina. The total population is 88,540. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Greenville city is 28.0 years. This is 28% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Greenville city is $50,564. This is 28% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 36% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.5%. This is 86% 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 9.0%. This is 87% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $213,100. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 32.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 51% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Greenville city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 40.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (40.3% vs 20.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.

Education

39.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% higher 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 93.8%. Notably, 18.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Greenville city, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.