Princeton, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Princeton, North Carolina had a total population of 1,658, the 370th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $45,500, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Princeton Quick Facts
How Princeton 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 | 1,543 | 1,658 | +7.5% |
| Median household income | $36,656 | $45,500 | +24.1% |
| Median home value | $165,800 | $215,400 | +29.9% |
How Princeton 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Princeton Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Johnston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithfield | 12,116 | $43,270 | 27.4% | $242,500 |
| Selma | 6,817 | $41,368 | 24.7% | $171,600 |
| Archer Lodge | 5,186 | $91,188 | 17.4% | $324,500 |
| Benson | 4,282 | $67,102 | 14.4% | $279,800 |
| Wilson's Mills | 2,753 | $62,813 | 31.9% | $241,800 |
| Four Oaks | 2,459 | $72,826 | 15.3% | $253,700 |
| Kenly | 2,359 | $57,045 | 14.4% | $205,200 |
| Pine Level | 2,031 | $75,263 | 8.0% | $221,000 |
| Micro | 573 | $44,531 | 22.9% | $170,700 |
Cities Similar to Princeton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dobson | 1,652 | $43,750 | $173,900 | 24.3% | 22.4% |
| Princeville | 1,619 | $46,406 | $106,000 | 8.1% | 36.2% |
| Weldon | 1,642 | $48,350 | $100,500 | 17.9% | 17.5% |
| Nebo | 1,670 | $50,139 | $129,800 | 6.8% | 16.9% |
| Gorman | 1,591 | $47,297 | N/A | 22.5% | 18.8% |
Population Overview
Princeton is a small community located in North Carolina, within Johnston County. The total population is 1,658. It ranks as the 370th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Princeton is 34.0 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 30.8% of the population under 18, Princeton has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Princeton is $45,500. This is 37% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.7%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $215,400. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 49.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Princeton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 28.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (28.6% vs 11.3%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
15.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 82.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Princeton, 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 Princeton, North Carolina?
Princeton, North Carolina has a population of 1,658 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Princeton, NC?
The median household income in Princeton is $45,500, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Princeton, NC?
The poverty rate in Princeton is 9.7%. This means approximately 161 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Princeton, North Carolina?
Princeton's population is 55.1% White, 12.4% Black, 28.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Princeton, NC?
The median home value in Princeton is $215,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Princeton, North Carolina?
15.3% of adults (25+) in Princeton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.