River Bend, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, River Bend, North Carolina had a total population of 2,874, the 268th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $71,824, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 8.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
River Bend Quick Facts
How River Bend 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 | 2,896 | 2,874 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $68,314 | $71,824 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $233,700 | $266,100 | +13.9% |
How River Bend 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+)
River Bend Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Craven County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Bern | 32,734 | $61,031 | 17.3% | $240,100 |
| Havelock | 17,691 | $58,408 | 14.3% | $207,700 |
| James City | 4,789 | $58,973 | 11.7% | $204,400 |
| Trent Woods | 4,032 | $107,802 | 3.5% | $343,100 |
| Brices Creek | 3,415 | $85,723 | 3.4% | $338,700 |
| Fairfield Harbour | 2,948 | $72,583 | 7.1% | $300,600 |
| Neuse Forest | 2,671 | $84,500 | 4.6% | $228,000 |
| Cherry Branch | 1,684 | $104,432 | 1.4% | $262,200 |
| Vanceboro | 1,030 | $34,514 | 36.8% | $148,400 |
| Cove City | 504 | $41,522 | 11.8% | $81,700 |
Cities Similar to River Bend
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Harbour | 2,948 | $72,583 | $300,600 | 38.3% | 7.1% |
| Rockwell | 2,782 | $69,632 | $237,200 | 28.4% | 7.0% |
| Carthage | 2,896 | $82,695 | $208,200 | 30.6% | 14.2% |
| Oakboro | 2,683 | $69,100 | $282,600 | 22.3% | 5.5% |
| Wentworth | 2,692 | $68,500 | $170,300 | 18.1% | 18.1% |
Population Overview
River Bend is a small community located in North Carolina, within Craven County. The total population is 2,874. It ranks as the 268th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in River Bend is 53.1 years. This is 36% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 10.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 13.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in River Bend is $71,824. This is about the same as the state median of $72,388. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.2%. This is 37% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $266,100. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 86.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in River Bend is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
32.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 90.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for River Bend, 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 River Bend, North Carolina?
River Bend, North Carolina has a population of 2,874 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in River Bend, NC?
The median household income in River Bend is $71,824, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in River Bend, NC?
The poverty rate in River Bend is 8.2%. This means approximately 231 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of River Bend, North Carolina?
River Bend's population is 83.3% White, 12.4% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in River Bend, NC?
The median home value in River Bend is $266,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is River Bend, North Carolina?
32.6% of adults (25+) in River Bend hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.