Porters Neck, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Porters Neck, North Carolina had a total population of 7,654, the 126th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $119,979, which is 66% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 66% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.8% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- 66.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
- Unemployment rate of 12.5% is notably above the national average.
Porters Neck Quick Facts
How Porters Neck 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 | 7,102 | 7,654 | +7.8% |
| Median household income | $115,417 | $119,979 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $525,100 | $569,700 | +8.5% |
How Porters Neck 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+)
Porters Neck Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in New Hanover County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | 120,805 | $66,738 | 16.0% | $383,800 |
| Murraysville | 16,339 | $81,167 | 4.5% | $320,700 |
| Myrtle Grove | 12,637 | $113,463 | 6.2% | $439,100 |
| Kings Grant | 9,003 | $62,232 | 14.7% | $300,700 |
| Ogden | 8,249 | $121,338 | 4.8% | $463,700 |
| Carolina Beach | 6,745 | $94,398 | 6.0% | $566,200 |
| Silver Lake | 6,563 | $76,756 | 9.7% | $325,500 |
| Wrightsboro | 6,287 | $78,450 | 10.7% | $255,700 |
| Northchase | 5,896 | $59,375 | 22.3% | $318,400 |
| Skippers Corner | 3,792 | $72,297 | 28.3% | $247,500 |
Cities Similar to Porters Neck
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | 8,249 | $121,338 | $463,700 | 49.5% | 4.8% |
| St. James | 7,072 | $116,383 | $636,800 | 68.3% | 4.3% |
| Mills River | 7,281 | $105,398 | $436,100 | 43.7% | 2.6% |
| Oak Ridge | 7,744 | $155,385 | $529,300 | 57.0% | 3.6% |
| Kill Devil Hills | 7,761 | $89,773 | $442,200 | 44.8% | 9.2% |
Population Overview
Porters Neck is a small city located in North Carolina, within New Hanover County. The total population is 7,654. It ranks as the 126th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Porters Neck is 50.6 years. This is 29% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 21.0% 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 Porters Neck is $119,979. This is 66% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 49% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.8%. This is 71% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 12.5%. This is 164% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $569,700. Housing costs are 97% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 82.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Porters Neck has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.1% of all residents. Asian residents account for 5.9%. The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.9% vs 3.3%).
Education
66.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Porters Neck in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 87% higher 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 97.9%. Notably, 29.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Porters Neck, 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 Porters Neck, North Carolina?
Porters Neck, North Carolina has a population of 7,654 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Porters Neck, NC?
The median household income in Porters Neck is $119,979, which is 49% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Porters Neck, NC?
The poverty rate in Porters Neck is 3.8%. This means approximately 286 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Porters Neck, North Carolina?
Porters Neck's population is 85.1% White, 2.0% Black, 4.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Porters Neck, NC?
The median home value in Porters Neck is $569,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Porters Neck, North Carolina?
66.5% of adults (25+) in Porters Neck hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 29.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.