Mount Olive, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mount Olive, North Carolina had a total population of 4,453, the 191st largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $48,700, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.8% is notably above the national average.
Mount Olive Quick Facts
How Mount Olive 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 | 4,204 | 4,453 | +5.9% |
| Median household income | $45,869 | $48,700 | +6.2% |
| Median home value | $117,200 | $153,500 | +31.0% |
How Mount Olive 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Mount Olive Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro | 34,383 | $48,540 | 22.8% | $200,400 |
| Elroy | 3,251 | $63,238 | 14.0% | $133,100 |
| Mar-Mac | 2,877 | $53,819 | 11.8% | $149,200 |
| Brogden | 2,733 | $42,074 | 31.1% | $96,400 |
| Dudley | 2,305 | $42,050 | 35.3% | $90,000 |
| New Hope | 1,487 | $58,667 | 8.6% | $162,800 |
| Walnut Creek | 1,422 | $166,250 | 6.6% | $468,700 |
| Fremont | 943 | $51,667 | 28.2% | $147,800 |
| Pikeville | 776 | $62,396 | 15.2% | $140,800 |
| Eureka | 224 | $66,250 | 8.9% | $122,900 |
Cities Similar to Mount Olive
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmville | 4,514 | $47,410 | $183,000 | 31.8% | 28.1% |
| Raeford | 4,552 | $46,494 | $201,800 | 23.6% | 20.7% |
| Franklin | 4,268 | $47,888 | $195,000 | 25.6% | 12.8% |
| China Grove | 4,530 | $54,083 | $225,800 | 12.3% | 17.2% |
| Erwin | 4,687 | $50,701 | $161,100 | 17.3% | 12.2% |
Population Overview
Mount Olive is a small community located in North Carolina, within Wayne County. The total population is 4,453. It ranks as the 191st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mount Olive is 42.9 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mount Olive is $48,700. This is 33% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 9.8%. This is 108% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $153,500. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 57.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mount Olive is Black or African American, making up 50.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 36.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (50.5% vs 20.0%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
22.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 81.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mount Olive, 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 Mount Olive, North Carolina?
Mount Olive, North Carolina has a population of 4,453 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mount Olive, NC?
The median household income in Mount Olive is $48,700, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mount Olive, NC?
The poverty rate in Mount Olive is 17.6%. This means approximately 697 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mount Olive, North Carolina?
Mount Olive's population is 36.3% White, 50.5% Black, 7.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mount Olive, NC?
The median home value in Mount Olive is $153,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Mount Olive, North Carolina?
22.8% of adults (25+) in Mount Olive hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.