Princeville, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Princeville, North Carolina had a total population of 1,619, the 377th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $46,406, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 36.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (36.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
Princeville Quick Facts
How Princeville 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 | 1,502 | 1,619 | +7.8% |
| Median household income | $49,583 | $46,406 | -6.4% |
| Median home value | $99,100 | $106,000 | +7.0% |
How Princeville 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+)
Princeville Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Edgecombe County
Cities Similar to Princeville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorman | 1,591 | $47,297 | N/A | 22.5% | 18.8% |
| Princeton | 1,658 | $45,500 | $215,400 | 15.3% | 9.7% |
| Weldon | 1,642 | $48,350 | $100,500 | 17.9% | 17.5% |
| Dobson | 1,652 | $43,750 | $173,900 | 24.3% | 22.4% |
| Nebo | 1,670 | $50,139 | $129,800 | 6.8% | 16.9% |
Population Overview
Princeville is a small community located in North Carolina, within Edgecombe County. The total population is 1,619. It ranks as the 377th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Princeville is 40.0 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. With 31.6% of the population under 18, Princeville has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Princeville is $46,406. This is 36% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 36.2%. This is 178% 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 8.7%. This is 85% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $106,000. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Princeville is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Princeville has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 96.9% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 2.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (96.9% vs 20.0%).
Education
8.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% 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 84.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Princeville, 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 Princeville, North Carolina?
Princeville, North Carolina has a population of 1,619 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Princeville, NC?
The median household income in Princeville is $46,406, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Princeville, NC?
The poverty rate in Princeville is 36.2%. This means approximately 585 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Princeville, North Carolina?
Princeville's population is 2.1% White, 96.9% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Princeville, NC?
The median home value in Princeville is $106,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Princeville, North Carolina?
8.1% of adults (25+) in Princeville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.