Morehead City, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Morehead City, North Carolina had a total population of 9,806, the 98th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $56,233, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.1%.
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 1.9%.
Morehead City Quick Facts
How Morehead 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 | 9,696 | 9,806 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $53,718 | $56,233 | +4.7% |
| Median home value | $330,900 | $357,400 | +8.0% |
How Morehead 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
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+)
Morehead City Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Carteret County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort | 4,689 | $53,321 | 11.2% | $354,900 |
| Newport | 4,441 | $56,351 | 10.7% | $233,600 |
| Emerald Isle | 3,934 | $89,773 | 4.9% | $603,700 |
| Cape Carteret | 2,703 | $86,136 | 6.1% | $375,700 |
| Cedar Point | 1,917 | $98,750 | 5.4% | $423,700 |
| Broad Creek | 1,836 | $57,500 | 7.8% | $244,200 |
| Atlantic Beach | 1,719 | $70,402 | 15.6% | $498,400 |
| Pine Knoll Shores | 1,351 | $109,375 | 3.5% | $592,300 |
| Brandywine Bay | 1,313 | $105,000 | 1.2% | $371,500 |
| Harkers Island | 1,060 | $60,000 | 10.4% | $313,100 |
Cities Similar to Morehead City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Stephens | 9,457 | $60,394 | $213,300 | 25.7% | 16.3% |
| Waynesville | 10,502 | $54,923 | $281,700 | 33.0% | 15.9% |
| Kings Grant | 9,003 | $62,232 | $300,700 | 25.2% | 14.7% |
| Tarboro | 10,770 | $49,796 | $185,500 | 26.6% | 18.5% |
| Washington | 9,726 | $40,186 | $206,800 | 24.0% | 23.1% |
Population Overview
Morehead City is a small city located in North Carolina, within Carteret County. The total population is 9,806. It ranks as the 98th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Morehead City is 44.2 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 11.0% 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 Morehead City is $56,233. This is 22% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.1%. This is 39% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $357,400. Housing costs are 24% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 46.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Morehead City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.4%. The Black or African American population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
35.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 90.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Morehead 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 Morehead City, North Carolina?
Morehead City, North Carolina has a population of 9,806 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Morehead City, NC?
The median household income in Morehead City is $56,233, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Morehead City, NC?
The poverty rate in Morehead City is 18.1%. This means approximately 1,747 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Morehead City, North Carolina?
Morehead City's population is 77.3% White, 5.4% Black, 9.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Morehead City, NC?
The median home value in Morehead City is $357,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.4x.
How educated is Morehead City, North Carolina?
35.6% of adults (25+) in Morehead City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.