Hertford County, North Carolina Demographics 2026
Hertford County, North Carolina has a population of 19,908, the 80th most populous county in North Carolina. The median household income is $45,537 and the median home value is $119,200. The poverty rate is 22.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Hertford County Quick Facts
How Hertford County 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 | 20,492 | 19,908 | -2.8% |
| Median household income | $47,472 | $45,537 | -4.1% |
| Median home value | $111,100 | $119,200 | +7.3% |
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+)
Cities & Places in Hertford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahoskie | 4,764 | $40,987 | 27.7% | $143,200 |
| Murfreesboro | 3,170 | $39,914 | 39.5% | $158,600 |
| Winton | 593 | $48,036 | 24.1% | $86,100 |
| Cofield | 300 | $41,250 | 25.3% | $82,100 |
| Harrellsville | 196 | $70,089 | 14.8% | $122,700 |
| Como | 123 | N/A | 1.6% | $106,300 |
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Population Overview
Hertford County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 19,908. It is the 80th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 6 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hertford County is 42.6 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hertford County is $45,537. This is 37% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.9%. This is 76% 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 6.0%. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $119,200. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Hertford County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hertford County is Black or African American, making up 55.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (55.6% vs 20.0%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
16.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 84.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Hertford County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against North Carolina and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Hertford County, North Carolina?
Hertford County has a population of 19,908, making it the 80th most populous county in North Carolina.
What is the median income in Hertford County?
The median household income in Hertford County is $45,537 with a poverty rate of 22.9%.
How many cities are in Hertford County, North Carolina?
Hertford County contains 6 Census-designated places.