River Road, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, River Road, North Carolina had a total population of 3,366, the 240th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $46,352, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.3%.
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.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.5%.
River Road Quick Facts
How River Road 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 | 3,518 | 3,366 | -4.3% |
| Median household income | $47,978 | $46,352 | -3.4% |
| Median home value | $187,700 | $232,800 | +24.0% |
How River Road 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+)
River Road Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Beaufort County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 9,726 | $40,186 | 23.1% | $206,800 |
| Belhaven | 1,577 | $32,644 | 40.3% | $103,000 |
| Cypress Landing | 1,044 | $83,785 | 0.5% | $440,000 |
| Chocowinity | 903 | $41,382 | 26.9% | $114,300 |
| Aurora | 560 | $46,131 | 26.2% | $87,300 |
| Pantego | 493 | $60,417 | 5.7% | $111,900 |
| Washington Park | 456 | $88,750 | 16.4% | $315,500 |
| Bath | 391 | $103,611 | 10.0% | $382,400 |
| Bayview | 253 | $113,333 | 3.6% | $328,100 |
| Pinetown | 19 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to River Road
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wallace | 3,457 | $51,250 | $178,000 | 11.5% | 30.4% |
| Rural Hall | 3,466 | $51,054 | $189,600 | 27.1% | 9.4% |
| Gamewell | 3,689 | $46,556 | $170,100 | 4.0% | 21.5% |
| Windsor | 3,269 | $40,714 | $102,700 | 12.0% | 15.5% |
| Louisburg | 3,263 | $38,036 | $262,500 | 22.5% | 34.1% |
Population Overview
River Road is a small community located in North Carolina, within Beaufort County. The total population is 3,366. It ranks as the 240th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in River Road is 47.0 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.1% 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 Road is $46,352. 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 22.3%. This is 71% 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 2.5%. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $232,800. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 68.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in River Road is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 20.4%.
Education
26.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 83.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for River Road, 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 River Road, North Carolina?
River Road, North Carolina has a population of 3,366 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in River Road, NC?
The median household income in River Road is $46,352, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in River Road, NC?
The poverty rate in River Road is 22.3%. This means approximately 750 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of River Road, North Carolina?
River Road's population is 63.3% White, 20.4% Black, 13.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in River Road, NC?
The median home value in River Road is $232,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is River Road, North Carolina?
26.5% of adults (25+) in River Road hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.