Northampton County, North Carolina Demographics 2026
Northampton County, North Carolina has a population of 16,931, the 86th most populous county in North Carolina. The median household income is $50,086 and the median home value is $114,500. The poverty rate is 21.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Northampton County Quick Facts
How Northampton County 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 | 17,212 | 16,931 | -1.6% |
| Median household income | $47,935 | $50,086 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $102,200 | $114,500 | +12.0% |
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+)
Cities & Places in Northampton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaston | 912 | $42,105 | 27.4% | $77,200 |
| Rich Square | 880 | $37,031 | 35.2% | $85,000 |
| Conway | 832 | $36,920 | 28.4% | $106,000 |
| Jackson | 777 | $49,048 | 16.7% | N/A |
| Seaboard | 585 | $25,776 | 30.9% | $91,500 |
| Garysburg | 572 | $41,333 | 19.2% | $107,600 |
| Woodland | 497 | $37,750 | 22.4% | $112,500 |
| Severn | 158 | $62,500 | 8.9% | $120,500 |
| Lasker | 152 | $84,792 | 3.3% | $112,500 |
| Milwaukee | 139 | N/A | 0.0% | $110,000 |
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Population Overview
Northampton County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 16,931. It is the 86th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 10 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Northampton County is 52.0 years. This is 33% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 12.7% 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 Northampton County is $50,086. This is 31% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.1%. This is 62% 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 8.1%. This is 72% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $114,500. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Northampton County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Northampton County is Black or African American, making up 54.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (54.4% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
17.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 85.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Northampton County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against North Carolina and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Northampton County, North Carolina?
Northampton County has a population of 16,931, making it the 86th most populous county in North Carolina.
What is the median income in Northampton County?
The median household income in Northampton County is $50,086 with a poverty rate of 21.1%.
How many cities are in Northampton County, North Carolina?
Northampton County contains 10 Census-designated places.