Richmond County, North Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Richmond County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 42,818. It is the 60th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Richmond County is 40.3 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Richmond County is $43,626. This is 38% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 44% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.2%. This is 91% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 9.6%. This is 98% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $120,800. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Richmond County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Richmond County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 31.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (31.7% vs 20.3%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

16.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.2%.