Norlina, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Norlina, North Carolina had a total population of 1,087, the 437th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $27,143, which is 63% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 63% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Norlina Quick Facts
How Norlina 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 | 1,050 | 1,087 | +3.5% |
| Median household income | $34,659 | $27,143 | -21.7% |
| Median home value | $88,200 | $94,700 | +7.4% |
How Norlina 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+)
Norlina Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Warren County
Cities Similar to Norlina
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonnetsville | 1,063 | N/A | N/A | 5.1% | 62.8% |
| Barker Heights | 1,074 | $29,277 | $190,300 | 3.0% | 49.7% |
| South Henderson | 981 | $28,558 | N/A | 6.9% | 44.3% |
| Five Points | 940 | N/A | $344,100 | 22.2% | 21.7% |
| Buxton | 1,267 | N/A | $409,900 | 25.5% | 6.7% |
Population Overview
Norlina is a small community located in North Carolina, within Warren County. The total population is 1,087. It ranks as the 437th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Norlina is 48.2 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 11.2% 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 Norlina is $27,143. This is 63% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 66% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.9%. This is 99% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.9%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $94,700. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 53.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Norlina is Black or African American, making up 65.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 31.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (65.2% vs 20.0%).
Education
14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Norlina, 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 Norlina, North Carolina?
Norlina, North Carolina has a population of 1,087 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Norlina, NC?
The median household income in Norlina is $27,143, which is 66% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Norlina, NC?
The poverty rate in Norlina is 25.9%. This means approximately 282 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Norlina, North Carolina?
Norlina's population is 31.5% White, 65.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Norlina, NC?
The median home value in Norlina is $94,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Norlina, North Carolina?
14.2% of adults (25+) in Norlina hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.