Hamlet, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hamlet, North Carolina had a total population of 5,961, the 149th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $41,590, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
Hamlet Quick Facts
How Hamlet 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 | 6,000 | 5,961 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $38,500 | $41,590 | +8.0% |
| Median home value | $103,800 | $112,600 | +8.5% |
How Hamlet 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+)
Hamlet 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 |
| East Rockingham | 2,779 | $34,355 | 31.0% | $111,800 |
| Cordova | 1,372 | $60,952 | 46.7% | $155,000 |
| Ellerbe | 1,036 | $34,808 | 28.4% | $78,000 |
| 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 Hamlet
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selma | 6,817 | $41,368 | $171,600 | 13.8% | 24.7% |
| Ayden | 5,150 | $42,413 | $182,400 | 23.0% | 22.4% |
| Angier | 6,241 | $52,214 | $268,200 | 32.0% | 10.6% |
| Mocksville | 6,068 | $55,367 | $240,700 | 24.7% | 19.2% |
| Northchase | 5,896 | $59,375 | $318,400 | 35.3% | 22.3% |
Population Overview
Hamlet is a small city located in North Carolina, within Richmond County. The total population is 5,961. It ranks as the 149th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hamlet is 39.5 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hamlet is $41,590. This is 43% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.6%. This is 66% 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 8.7%. This is 84% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $112,600. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Hamlet is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 52.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hamlet is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 39.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (39.2% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
15.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 88.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hamlet, 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 Hamlet, North Carolina?
Hamlet, North Carolina has a population of 5,961 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hamlet, NC?
The median household income in Hamlet is $41,590, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hamlet, NC?
The poverty rate in Hamlet is 21.6%. This means approximately 1,271 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hamlet, North Carolina?
Hamlet's population is 55.5% White, 39.2% Black, 3.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hamlet, NC?
The median home value in Hamlet is $112,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Hamlet, North Carolina?
15.5% of adults (25+) in Hamlet hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.