Henderson city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Henderson city, North Carolina has a total population of 14,922, the 72nd largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $38,780, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Henderson city Quick Facts
How Henderson city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Henderson city Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Henderson city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurinburg city | 15,079 | $39,258 | $121,500 | 18.8% | 32.0% |
| Reidsville city | 14,547 | $42,702 | $139,000 | 21.9% | 24.9% |
| Eden city | 15,353 | $50,959 | $122,800 | 14.0% | 19.8% |
| Hendersonville city | 15,253 | $52,337 | $282,500 | 37.9% | 16.8% |
| Roanoke Rapids city | 15,024 | $53,981 | $129,400 | 21.8% | 21.8% |
Population Overview
Henderson city is a small city located in North Carolina. The total population is 14,922. It ranks as the 72nd most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Henderson city is 36.6 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Henderson city is $38,780. This is 45% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 51% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.5%. This is 108% 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 5.3%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $116,800. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 39.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Henderson city is Black or African American, making up 61.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 25.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (25.3%) is well below the state average of 60.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (61.7% vs 20.3%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.
Education
16.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 82.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Henderson 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Henderson city, North Carolina?
Henderson city, North Carolina has a population of 14,922 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Henderson city, NC?
The median household income in Henderson city is $38,780, which is 51% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Henderson city, NC?
The poverty rate in Henderson city is 27.5%. This means approximately 3,997 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Henderson city, North Carolina?
Henderson city's population is 25.3% White, 61.7% Black, 10.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Henderson city, NC?
The median home value in Henderson city is $116,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Henderson city, North Carolina?
16.2% of adults (25+) in Henderson city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.