James City, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, James City, North Carolina had a total population of 4,789, the 173rd largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $58,973, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.5%.
James City Quick Facts
How James City 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 | 4,859 | 4,789 | -1.4% |
| Median household income | $63,835 | $58,973 | -7.6% |
| Median home value | $175,700 | $204,400 | +16.3% |
How James City 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
James City Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Craven County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Bern | 32,734 | $61,031 | 17.3% | $240,100 |
| Havelock | 17,691 | $58,408 | 14.3% | $207,700 |
| Trent Woods | 4,032 | $107,802 | 3.5% | $343,100 |
| Brices Creek | 3,415 | $85,723 | 3.4% | $338,700 |
| Fairfield Harbour | 2,948 | $72,583 | 7.1% | $300,600 |
| River Bend | 2,874 | $71,824 | 8.2% | $266,100 |
| Neuse Forest | 2,671 | $84,500 | 4.6% | $228,000 |
| Cherry Branch | 1,684 | $104,432 | 1.4% | $262,200 |
| Vanceboro | 1,030 | $34,514 | 36.8% | $148,400 |
| Cove City | 504 | $41,522 | 11.8% | $81,700 |
Cities Similar to James City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granite Falls | 4,929 | $56,917 | $202,400 | 25.6% | 17.2% |
| Beaufort | 4,689 | $53,321 | $354,900 | 40.2% | 11.2% |
| Randleman | 4,644 | $53,456 | $184,700 | 14.0% | 32.6% |
| Valdese | 4,704 | $50,740 | $209,800 | 37.3% | 12.8% |
| Erwin | 4,687 | $50,701 | $161,100 | 17.3% | 12.2% |
Population Overview
James City is a small community located in North Carolina, within Craven County. The total population is 4,789. It ranks as the 173rd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in James City is 51.7 years. This is 32% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.9% 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 James City is $58,973. This is 19% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $204,400. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 85.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in James City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
28.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% 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 93.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for James City, 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 James City, North Carolina?
James City, North Carolina has a population of 4,789 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in James City, NC?
The median household income in James City is $58,973, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in James City, NC?
The poverty rate in James City is 11.7%. This means approximately 545 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of James City, North Carolina?
James City's population is 75.4% White, 17.3% Black, 3.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in James City, NC?
The median home value in James City is $204,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is James City, North Carolina?
28.1% of adults (25+) in James City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.