Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina had a total population of 1,770, the 360th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $72,500, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 9.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Lake Waccamaw Quick Facts
How Lake Waccamaw 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 | 1,666 | 1,770 | +6.2% |
| Median household income | $79,844 | $72,500 | -9.2% |
| Median home value | $294,800 | $305,900 | +3.8% |
How Lake Waccamaw 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+)
Lake Waccamaw Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Columbus County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteville | 4,696 | $31,167 | 20.7% | $187,500 |
| Tabor City | 3,777 | $38,714 | 32.9% | $115,900 |
| Chadbourn | 1,352 | $45,787 | 30.6% | $135,400 |
| Brunswick | 937 | $22,500 | 64.5% | $82,500 |
| Sandyfield | 763 | $41,667 | 29.6% | $69,100 |
| Fair Bluff | 695 | $31,389 | 28.3% | $101,400 |
| Riegelwood | 649 | $49,583 | 11.3% | $200,300 |
| Bolton | 504 | $48,450 | 24.6% | $146,700 |
| Evergreen | 421 | N/A | 34.4% | N/A |
| Cerro Gordo | 319 | N/A | 25.1% | $189,900 |
Cities Similar to Lake Waccamaw
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Beach | 1,719 | $70,402 | $498,400 | 60.7% | 15.6% |
| Sea Breeze | 1,849 | $69,942 | $405,100 | 31.4% | 6.5% |
| Pinebluff | 1,806 | $80,833 | $234,200 | 29.3% | 6.1% |
| Vass | 1,644 | $73,581 | $257,500 | 28.8% | 6.7% |
| Millers Creek | 1,689 | $63,125 | $227,200 | 13.1% | 18.9% |
Population Overview
Lake Waccamaw is a small community located in North Carolina, within Columbus County. The total population is 1,770. It ranks as the 360th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Waccamaw is 46.1 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 15.8% 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 Lake Waccamaw is $72,500. This is about the same as the state median of $72,388. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.3%. This is 29% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $305,900. Housing costs are 6% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 70.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake Waccamaw is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
32.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% 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 92.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Waccamaw, 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 Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina?
Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina has a population of 1,770 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Waccamaw, NC?
The median household income in Lake Waccamaw is $72,500, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Waccamaw, NC?
The poverty rate in Lake Waccamaw is 9.3%. This means approximately 145 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina?
Lake Waccamaw's population is 69.2% White, 15.0% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Waccamaw, NC?
The median home value in Lake Waccamaw is $305,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina?
32.3% of adults (25+) in Lake Waccamaw hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.