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Jacksonville city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Jacksonville city, North Carolina has a total population of 73,507, the 14th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $54,069, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.5%.

Jacksonville city Quick Facts

Population 73,507
Median Household Income $54,069
Median Home Value $191,700
Poverty Rate 13.5%
Unemployment Rate 7.7%
Median Age 23.3 years
Homeownership Rate 37.0%
Affordability Ratio 3.5x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 25.0%
High School Graduation Rate 94.8%
Diversity Index 62/100
Population 73,507 14th of 774
Median Income $54,069 average
Poverty Rate 13.5% 9% higher national
Median Home Value $191,700 average

How Jacksonville city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

7.7% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8% | National: 5.2%
77.7% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 37.0%
Renter 63.0%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.5x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

62out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 57 | National average: 60

Education

Jacksonville city Rankings in North Carolina

#14 Population of 774
#411 Median Income of 774
#304 Education of 774
#355 Home Value of 774

Cities Similar to Jacksonville city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Gastonia city81,632$60,554$250,00027.7%14.3%
Greenville city88,540$50,564$213,10039.3%24.5%
Burlington city58,599$54,941$188,70028.7%18.0%
Rocky Mount city54,175$52,927$148,30021.5%21.2%
Asheville city94,369$67,221$411,00052.0%14.6%

Population Overview

Jacksonville city is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina. The total population is 73,507. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Jacksonville city is 23.3 years. This is 40% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Jacksonville city is $54,069. This is 23% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 31% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.5%. This is 3% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 60% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $191,700. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 37.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Jacksonville city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.8% vs 10.9%).

Education

25.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 94.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Jacksonville 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.

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 Jacksonville city, North Carolina?

Jacksonville city, North Carolina has a population of 73,507 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Jacksonville city, NC?

The median household income in Jacksonville city is $54,069, which is 31% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Jacksonville city, NC?

The poverty rate in Jacksonville city is 13.5%. This means approximately 7,265 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Jacksonville city, North Carolina?

Jacksonville city's population is 55.5% White, 15.6% Black, 18.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.

What is the median home value in Jacksonville city, NC?

The median home value in Jacksonville city is $191,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.

How educated is Jacksonville city, North Carolina?

25.0% of adults (25+) in Jacksonville city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.