Plain View, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Plain View, North Carolina had a total population of 1,741, the 361st largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $53,636, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 16.4% is notably above the national average.
Plain View Quick Facts
How Plain View 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 | 1,647 | 1,741 | +5.7% |
| Median household income | $75,058 | $53,636 | -28.5% |
| Median home value | $205,700 | $200,900 | -2.3% |
How Plain View 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Plain View Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Sampson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | 8,304 | $44,953 | 23.6% | $212,000 |
| Roseboro | 1,123 | $39,333 | 39.2% | $130,300 |
| Bonnetsville | 1,063 | N/A | 62.8% | N/A |
| Spivey's Corner | 954 | $43,938 | 0.0% | $85,400 |
| Garland | 704 | $57,829 | 9.1% | $123,900 |
| Faison | 660 | $42,333 | 24.2% | $104,200 |
| Ingold | 599 | $50,893 | 3.7% | $33,400 |
| Salemburg | 550 | $83,026 | 9.7% | $163,100 |
| Newton Grove | 498 | $68,906 | 4.2% | $149,600 |
| Turkey | 391 | N/A | 5.4% | $52,100 |
Cities Similar to Plain View
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoopers Creek | 1,683 | $52,315 | $345,900 | 21.6% | 18.4% |
| Cove Creek | 1,629 | $52,847 | $295,700 | 29.2% | 22.6% |
| Nebo | 1,670 | $50,139 | $129,800 | 6.8% | 16.9% |
| Tryon | 1,810 | $57,721 | $306,900 | 51.2% | 22.3% |
| Robbins | 1,893 | $53,438 | $99,100 | 15.2% | 22.1% |
Population Overview
Plain View is a small community located in North Carolina, within Sampson County. The total population is 1,741. It ranks as the 361st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Plain View is 47.0 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 13.7% 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 Plain View is $53,636. This is 26% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.5%. This is 20% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 16.4%. This is 247% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $200,900. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 83.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Plain View is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
13.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 91.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Plain View, 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.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Plain View, North Carolina?
Plain View, North Carolina has a population of 1,741 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Plain View, NC?
The median household income in Plain View is $53,636, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Plain View, NC?
The poverty rate in Plain View is 10.5%. This means approximately 179 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Plain View, North Carolina?
Plain View's population is 79.6% White, 13.2% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Plain View, NC?
The median home value in Plain View is $200,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Plain View, North Carolina?
13.2% of adults (25+) in Plain View hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.