New Bern, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, New Bern, North Carolina had a total population of 32,734, the 33rd largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $61,031, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
New Bern Quick Facts
How New Bern 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 | 31,563 | 32,734 | +3.7% |
| Median household income | $56,893 | $61,031 | +7.3% |
| Median home value | $211,500 | $240,100 | +13.5% |
How New Bern 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+)
New Bern Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Craven County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Havelock | 17,691 | $58,408 | 14.3% | $207,700 |
| James City | 4,789 | $58,973 | 11.7% | $204,400 |
| Trent Woods | 4,032 | $107,802 | 3.5% | $343,100 |
| Brices Creek | 3,415 | $85,723 | 3.4% | $338,700 |
| Fairfield Harbour | 2,948 | $72,583 | 7.1% | $300,600 |
| River Bend | 2,874 | $71,824 | 8.2% | $266,100 |
| Neuse Forest | 2,671 | $84,500 | 4.6% | $228,000 |
| Cherry Branch | 1,684 | $104,432 | 1.4% | $262,200 |
| Vanceboro | 1,030 | $34,514 | 36.8% | $148,400 |
| Cove City | 504 | $41,522 | 11.8% | $81,700 |
Cities Similar to New Bern
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanford | 31,478 | $57,586 | $245,400 | 21.6% | 22.0% |
| Salisbury | 35,825 | $53,716 | $242,500 | 29.9% | 26.3% |
| Statesville | 29,894 | $52,880 | $248,000 | 26.9% | 20.4% |
| Goldsboro | 34,383 | $48,540 | $200,400 | 21.0% | 22.8% |
| Garner | 34,473 | $78,756 | $355,000 | 46.5% | 8.4% |
Population Overview
New Bern is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Craven County. The total population is 32,734. It ranks as the 33rd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Bern is 38.9 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.1 years. 10.1% 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 New Bern is $61,031. This is 16% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.3%. This is 32% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $240,100. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 59.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in New Bern is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 29.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.9% vs 3.3%).
Education
29.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 92.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New Bern, 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 New Bern, North Carolina?
New Bern, North Carolina has a population of 32,734 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Bern, NC?
The median household income in New Bern is $61,031, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in New Bern, NC?
The poverty rate in New Bern is 17.3%. This means approximately 5,577 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Bern, North Carolina?
New Bern's population is 50.7% White, 29.3% Black, 7.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Bern, NC?
The median home value in New Bern is $240,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is New Bern, North Carolina?
29.4% of adults (25+) in New Bern hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.