Richlands, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Richlands, North Carolina had a total population of 2,335, the 314th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $65,163, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 9.7% is notably above the national average.
Richlands Quick Facts
How Richlands 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 | 2,387 | 2,335 | -2.2% |
| Median household income | $61,607 | $65,163 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $217,800 | $248,800 | +14.2% |
How Richlands 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+)
Richlands 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 |
| Pumpkin Center | 1,636 | $64,102 | 2.9% | $189,600 |
| North Topsail Beach | 784 | $121,250 | 6.5% | $473,600 |
Cities Similar to Richlands
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calabash | 2,377 | $65,310 | $253,200 | 22.1% | 17.6% |
| Salem | 2,377 | $68,988 | $159,100 | 22.8% | 19.1% |
| Grandy | 2,245 | $62,847 | $306,000 | 22.6% | 6.9% |
| Denver | 2,497 | $65,721 | $296,300 | 43.6% | 6.0% |
| Kenly | 2,359 | $57,045 | $205,200 | 7.9% | 14.4% |
Population Overview
Richlands is a small community located in North Carolina, within Onslow County. The total population is 2,335. It ranks as the 314th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Richlands is 29.5 years. This is 25% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 33.9% of the population under 18, Richlands has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Richlands is $65,163. This is 10% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This is 15% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 9.7%. This is 106% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $248,800. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 66.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Richlands is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.1%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
38.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% 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 91.6%. Notably, 18.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Richlands, 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 Richlands, North Carolina?
Richlands, North Carolina has a population of 2,335 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Richlands, NC?
The median household income in Richlands is $65,163, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Richlands, NC?
The poverty rate in Richlands is 11.1%. This means approximately 260 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Richlands, North Carolina?
Richlands's population is 67.8% White, 16.1% Black, 10.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Richlands, NC?
The median home value in Richlands is $248,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Richlands, North Carolina?
38.1% of adults (25+) in Richlands hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.