Hertford, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hertford, North Carolina had a total population of 1,618, the 378th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $40,250, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Hertford Quick Facts
How Hertford 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 | 1,703 | 1,618 | -5.0% |
| Median household income | $40,096 | $40,250 | +0.4% |
| Median home value | $178,600 | $176,500 | -1.2% |
How Hertford 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+)
Hertford Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Perquimans County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winfall | 697 | $77,083 | 13.6% | $401,200 |
Cities Similar to Hertford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murphy | 1,604 | $37,263 | $250,000 | 26.8% | 17.5% |
| Dobson | 1,652 | $43,750 | $173,900 | 24.3% | 22.4% |
| Coats | 1,664 | $37,009 | $125,200 | 19.1% | 21.6% |
| Princeville | 1,619 | $46,406 | $106,000 | 8.1% | 36.2% |
| Princeton | 1,658 | $45,500 | $215,400 | 15.3% | 9.7% |
Population Overview
Hertford is a small community located in North Carolina, within Perquimans County. The total population is 1,618. It ranks as the 378th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hertford is 52.0 years. This is 33% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 12.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hertford is $40,250. This is 44% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.7%. This is 90% 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 3.2%. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $176,500. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 53.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hertford is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 44.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (44.4% vs 20.0%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
12.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 77.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hertford, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Hertford, North Carolina?
Hertford, North Carolina has a population of 1,618 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hertford, NC?
The median household income in Hertford is $40,250, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hertford, NC?
The poverty rate in Hertford is 24.7%. This means approximately 400 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hertford, North Carolina?
Hertford's population is 44.6% White, 44.4% Black, 9.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hertford, NC?
The median home value in Hertford is $176,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Hertford, North Carolina?
12.2% of adults (25+) in Hertford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.