Kitty Hawk, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina had a total population of 3,724, the 223rd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $94,450, which is 30% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.7% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Kitty Hawk Quick Facts
How Kitty Hawk 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 | 3,721 | 3,724 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $88,811 | $94,450 | +6.3% |
| Median home value | $494,200 | $535,000 | +8.3% |
How Kitty Hawk 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kitty Hawk Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Dare County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kill Devil Hills | 7,761 | $89,773 | 9.2% | $442,200 |
| Nags Head | 3,160 | $91,264 | 2.4% | $490,800 |
| Southern Shores | 3,139 | $131,429 | 0.6% | $712,300 |
| Manteo | 2,020 | $83,777 | 19.2% | $444,400 |
| Wanchese | 1,956 | $88,750 | 6.3% | $311,800 |
| Buxton | 1,267 | N/A | 6.7% | $409,900 |
| Manns Harbor | 926 | $51,800 | 25.1% | $253,000 |
| Rodanthe | 781 | N/A | 2.3% | N/A |
| Duck | 669 | $136,250 | 10.8% | $767,500 |
| Frisco | 664 | $43,846 | 1.1% | $439,600 |
Cities Similar to Kitty Hawk
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairview | 3,619 | $98,808 | $382,300 | 31.4% | 1.8% |
| Jamestown | 3,708 | $104,844 | $326,800 | 47.7% | 2.5% |
| Flat Rock | 3,530 | $95,098 | $601,700 | 66.0% | 7.6% |
| Eastover | 3,666 | $85,156 | $241,600 | 31.9% | 13.4% |
| Emerald Isle | 3,934 | $89,773 | $603,700 | 57.1% | 4.9% |
Population Overview
Kitty Hawk is a small community located in North Carolina, within Dare County. The total population is 3,724. It ranks as the 223rd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kitty Hawk is 49.3 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kitty Hawk is $94,450. This is 30% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 17% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.7%. This is 64% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 8.9%. This is 89% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $535,000. Housing costs are 85% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x. 72.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kitty Hawk is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.0%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
43.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% higher 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 95.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kitty Hawk, 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 Kitty Hawk, North Carolina?
Kitty Hawk, North Carolina has a population of 3,724 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kitty Hawk, NC?
The median household income in Kitty Hawk is $94,450, which is 17% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kitty Hawk, NC?
The poverty rate in Kitty Hawk is 4.7%. This means approximately 176 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina?
Kitty Hawk's population is 83.7% White, 0.0% Black, 5.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kitty Hawk, NC?
The median home value in Kitty Hawk is $535,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x.
How educated is Kitty Hawk, North Carolina?
43.5% of adults (25+) in Kitty Hawk hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.