Pamlico County, North Carolina Demographics 2026
Pamlico County, North Carolina has a population of 12,315, the 91st most populous county in North Carolina. The median household income is $61,624 and the median home value is $209,800. The poverty rate is 12.4%.
Pamlico County Quick Facts
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+)
Cities & Places in Pamlico County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayboro | 1,282 | $28,125 | 15.8% | $133,400 |
| Oriental | 930 | $57,875 | 6.3% | $406,800 |
| Alliance | 812 | $44,167 | 17.6% | $128,400 |
| Grantsboro | 698 | $62,292 | 17.1% | $150,000 |
| Minnesott Beach | 529 | $72,344 | 12.5% | $266,200 |
| Arapahoe | 384 | $69,792 | 18.9% | $136,300 |
| Mesic | 206 | N/A | 14.6% | $164,900 |
| Vandemere | 204 | $31,250 | 25.5% | $95,000 |
| Stonewall | 151 | N/A | 14.6% | $102,500 |
| Hobucken | 6 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Population Overview
Pamlico County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 12,315. It is the 91st most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 10 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pamlico County is 54.1 years. This is 38% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.6% 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 Pamlico County is $61,624. This is 12% lower than the state median of $69,904. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $78,538. The poverty rate stands at 12.4%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $209,800. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 83.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pamlico County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.
Education
25.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Pamlico County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023), 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 Pamlico County, North Carolina?
Pamlico County has a population of 12,315, making it the 91st most populous county in North Carolina.
What is the median income in Pamlico County?
The median household income in Pamlico County is $61,624 with a poverty rate of 12.4%.
How many cities are in Pamlico County, North Carolina?
Pamlico County contains 10 Census-designated places.