Pembroke, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pembroke, North Carolina had a total population of 2,822, the 271st largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $25,889, which is 64% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 39.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 64% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (39.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Pembroke Quick Facts
How Pembroke 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 | 2,823 | 2,822 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $22,940 | $25,889 | +12.9% |
| Median home value | $114,700 | $129,400 | +12.8% |
How Pembroke 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+)
Pembroke Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Robeson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumberton | 18,859 | $42,877 | 30.8% | $152,600 |
| Red Springs | 3,125 | $20,833 | 40.0% | $100,800 |
| St. Pauls | 2,688 | $36,800 | 37.8% | $111,000 |
| Fairmont | 2,463 | $36,641 | 29.0% | $106,800 |
| Maxton | 2,330 | $22,667 | 42.7% | $83,200 |
| Barker Ten Mile | 1,156 | $66,667 | 6.0% | $163,700 |
| Rowland | 946 | $32,500 | 33.7% | $118,000 |
| Prospect | 907 | $110,769 | 21.7% | $100,700 |
| Parkton | 529 | $56,250 | 20.8% | $151,900 |
| Rennert | 292 | $26,875 | 33.9% | $45,800 |
Cities Similar to Pembroke
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesville | 2,860 | $29,837 | $102,900 | 7.2% | 18.7% |
| East Rockingham | 2,779 | $34,355 | $111,800 | 7.0% | 31.0% |
| Red Springs | 3,125 | $20,833 | $100,800 | 18.0% | 40.0% |
| Elizabethtown | 3,277 | $29,375 | $159,200 | 11.3% | 33.0% |
| St. Pauls | 2,688 | $36,800 | $111,000 | 9.6% | 37.8% |
Population Overview
Pembroke is a small community located in North Carolina, within Robeson County. The total population is 2,822. It ranks as the 271st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pembroke is 24.2 years. This is 38% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 28.9% of the population under 18, Pembroke has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pembroke is $25,889. This is 64% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 68% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 39.1%. This is 200% 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 3.9%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $129,400. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 30.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 54% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Pembroke is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 10.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.7%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
19.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 83.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pembroke, 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 Pembroke, North Carolina?
Pembroke, North Carolina has a population of 2,822 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pembroke, NC?
The median household income in Pembroke is $25,889, which is 68% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pembroke, NC?
The poverty rate in Pembroke is 39.1%. This means approximately 1,006 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pembroke, North Carolina?
Pembroke's population is 10.7% White, 17.5% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pembroke, NC?
The median home value in Pembroke is $129,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Pembroke, North Carolina?
19.5% of adults (25+) in Pembroke hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.