Hertford County, North Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Hertford County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 20,492. It is the 79th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 4 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Hertford County is 42.3 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Hertford County is $47,472. This is 32% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 40% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.4%. This is 63% 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 5.2%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $111,100. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Hertford County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Hertford County is Black or African American, making up 56.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (56.4% vs 20.3%). The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

16.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 84.7%.