St. Helena, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. Helena, North Carolina had a total population of 544, the 572nd largest village in North Carolina, with a median household income of $75,313, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
St. Helena Quick Facts
How St. Helena 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 | 580 | 544 | -6.2% |
| Median household income | $77,000 | $75,313 | -2.2% |
| Median home value | $209,200 | $215,600 | +3.1% |
How St. Helena 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+)
St. Helena Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Pender County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hampstead | 9,292 | $91,745 | 9.5% | $402,100 |
| Burgaw | 3,850 | $67,853 | 19.7% | $242,200 |
| Wallace | 3,457 | $51,250 | 30.4% | $178,000 |
| Rocky Point | 1,020 | $69,514 | 19.8% | $163,500 |
| Atkinson | 485 | $59,886 | 13.6% | $155,100 |
| Topsail Beach | 406 | $93,250 | 7.6% | $691,200 |
| Watha | 271 | $48,125 | 16.6% | $143,300 |
| Long Creek | 206 | N/A | 23.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to St. Helena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polkville | 536 | $74,688 | $179,500 | 26.1% | 10.1% |
| Coinjock | 543 | $68,861 | $225,700 | 43.6% | 27.6% |
| Salemburg | 550 | $83,026 | $163,100 | 19.5% | 9.7% |
| Sims | 522 | $78,267 | $196,900 | 14.6% | 3.8% |
| Lattimore | 526 | $81,250 | $169,700 | 11.9% | 4.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 544, St. Helena's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
St. Helena is a small community located in North Carolina, within Pender County. The total population is 544. It ranks as the 572nd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. Helena is 47.9 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in St. Helena is $75,313. This is 4% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.6%. This is 58% 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 8.3%. This is 76% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $215,600. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, St. Helena is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in St. Helena is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
25.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 88.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. Helena, 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 St. Helena, North Carolina?
St. Helena, North Carolina has a population of 544 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. Helena, NC?
The median household income in St. Helena is $75,313, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. Helena, NC?
The poverty rate in St. Helena is 20.6%. This means approximately 110 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. Helena, North Carolina?
St. Helena's population is 70.6% White, 16.7% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. Helena, NC?
The median home value in St. Helena is $215,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is St. Helena, North Carolina?
25.9% of adults (25+) in St. Helena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.