Kelford, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kelford, North Carolina had a total population of 177, the 715th largest town in North Carolina. The poverty rate is 35.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Kelford Quick Facts
How Kelford 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 | 245 | 177 | -27.8% |
| Median home value | $72,900 | $67,800 | -7.0% |
How Kelford 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+)
Kelford Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Bertie County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor | 3,269 | $40,714 | 15.5% | $102,700 |
| Aulander | 689 | $36,689 | 9.9% | $128,300 |
| Lewiston Woodville | 447 | $41,375 | 37.0% | $53,400 |
| Roxobel | 326 | $39,167 | 6.1% | $99,600 |
| Powellsville | 277 | $53,542 | 1.1% | $142,500 |
| Colerain | 239 | $118,359 | 3.1% | $145,800 |
| Askewville | 155 | $41,667 | 15.5% | $123,400 |
Cities Similar to Kelford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autryville | 177 | $43,636 | $152,900 | 36.6% | 14.4% |
| Gulf | 178 | N/A | N/A | 22.0% | 0.0% |
| Harrells | 175 | $43,750 | $175,000 | 16.5% | 40.6% |
| Engelhard | 174 | $50,673 | N/A | 20.7% | 16.1% |
| Waco | 171 | N/A | $92,500 | 12.3% | 2.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 177, Kelford's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Kelford is a small community located in North Carolina, within Bertie County. The total population is 177. It ranks as the 715th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kelford is 57.3 years. This is 47% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 11.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 35.6%. This is 173% 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 5.3%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $67,800. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $288,900. 85.5% 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 Kelford is Black or African American, making up 72.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 10.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.7%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (72.9% vs 20.0%).
Education
7.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% 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 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kelford, 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.
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 Kelford, North Carolina?
Kelford, North Carolina has a population of 177 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kelford, NC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Kelford — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kelford, NC?
The poverty rate in Kelford is 35.6%. This means approximately 63 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kelford, North Carolina?
Kelford's population is 10.7% White, 72.9% Black, 10.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kelford, NC?
The median home value in Kelford is $67,800.
How educated is Kelford, North Carolina?
7.9% of adults (25+) in Kelford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.