Pumpkin Center, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pumpkin Center, North Carolina had a total population of 1,636, the 375th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $64,102, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.9% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- Unemployment rate of 8.6% is notably above the national average.
Pumpkin Center Quick Facts
How Pumpkin Center 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 | 1,753 | 1,636 | -6.7% |
| Median household income | $62,684 | $64,102 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $170,300 | $189,600 | +11.3% |
How Pumpkin Center 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+)
Pumpkin Center Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Onslow County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | 71,279 | $57,697 | 12.7% | $210,100 |
| Piney Green | 14,078 | $72,177 | 10.8% | $227,600 |
| Half Moon | 7,378 | $68,946 | 7.9% | $182,500 |
| Holly Ridge | 4,904 | $104,788 | 0.8% | $360,300 |
| Surf City | 4,396 | $81,433 | 5.5% | $512,300 |
| Swansboro | 3,997 | $114,425 | 14.1% | $378,700 |
| Sneads Ferry | 2,728 | $79,594 | 13.3% | $269,300 |
| Richlands | 2,335 | $65,163 | 11.1% | $248,800 |
| North Topsail Beach | 784 | $121,250 | 6.5% | $473,600 |
Cities Similar to Pumpkin Center
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadway | 1,657 | $64,926 | $254,500 | 24.5% | 20.5% |
| Efland | 1,611 | $65,735 | $234,600 | 26.6% | 5.1% |
| Millers Creek | 1,689 | $63,125 | $227,200 | 13.1% | 18.9% |
| Boonville | 1,593 | $68,145 | $165,400 | 21.5% | 16.0% |
| Vass | 1,644 | $73,581 | $257,500 | 28.8% | 6.7% |
Population Overview
Pumpkin Center is a small community located in North Carolina, within Onslow County. The total population is 1,636. It ranks as the 375th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pumpkin Center is 32.2 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 28.4% of the population under 18, Pumpkin Center has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pumpkin Center is $64,102. This is 11% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.9%. This is 78% 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 8.6%. This is 83% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $189,600. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 89.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pumpkin Center is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
23.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 96.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pumpkin Center, 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 Pumpkin Center, North Carolina?
Pumpkin Center, North Carolina has a population of 1,636 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pumpkin Center, NC?
The median household income in Pumpkin Center is $64,102, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pumpkin Center, NC?
The poverty rate in Pumpkin Center is 2.9%. This means approximately 47 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pumpkin Center, North Carolina?
Pumpkin Center's population is 73.5% White, 18.1% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pumpkin Center, NC?
The median home value in Pumpkin Center is $189,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Pumpkin Center, North Carolina?
23.5% of adults (25+) in Pumpkin Center hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.