Half Moon, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Half Moon, North Carolina had a total population of 7,378, the 129th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $68,946, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Half Moon Quick Facts
How Half Moon 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 | 7,780 | 7,378 | -5.2% |
| Median household income | $61,848 | $68,946 | +11.5% |
| Median home value | $170,900 | $182,500 | +6.8% |
How Half Moon 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+)
Half Moon Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Onslow County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | 71,279 | $57,697 | 12.7% | $210,100 |
| Piney Green | 14,078 | $72,177 | 10.8% | $227,600 |
| Holly Ridge | 4,904 | $104,788 | 0.8% | $360,300 |
| Surf City | 4,396 | $81,433 | 5.5% | $512,300 |
| Swansboro | 3,997 | $114,425 | 14.1% | $378,700 |
| Sneads Ferry | 2,728 | $79,594 | 13.3% | $269,300 |
| Richlands | 2,335 | $65,163 | 11.1% | $248,800 |
| Pumpkin Center | 1,636 | $64,102 | 2.9% | $189,600 |
| North Topsail Beach | 784 | $121,250 | 6.5% | $473,600 |
Cities Similar to Half Moon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swannanoa | 6,901 | $69,760 | $287,500 | 27.4% | 16.8% |
| King | 7,408 | $57,817 | $238,200 | 22.8% | 7.0% |
| Etowah | 7,968 | $72,596 | $338,100 | 39.0% | 14.4% |
| Woodfin | 8,048 | $71,384 | $366,700 | 45.9% | 14.1% |
| Trinity | 7,111 | $82,664 | $216,600 | 20.1% | 11.7% |
Population Overview
Half Moon is a small city located in North Carolina, within Onslow County. The total population is 7,378. It ranks as the 129th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Half Moon is 28.3 years. This is 28% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 28.2% of the population under 18, Half Moon has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Half Moon is $68,946. This is 5% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.9%. This is 39% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 72% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $182,500. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Half Moon is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Half Moon is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.2% vs 11.3%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.0% vs 3.3%).
Education
27.0% 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 96.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Half Moon, 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.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Half Moon, North Carolina?
Half Moon, North Carolina has a population of 7,378 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Half Moon, NC?
The median household income in Half Moon is $68,946, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Half Moon, NC?
The poverty rate in Half Moon is 7.9%. This means approximately 577 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Half Moon, North Carolina?
Half Moon's population is 52.4% White, 17.4% Black, 18.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Half Moon, NC?
The median home value in Half Moon is $182,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Half Moon, North Carolina?
27.0% of adults (25+) in Half Moon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.