St. James, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. James, North Carolina had a total population of 7,072, the 133rd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $116,383, which is 61% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 61% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.3% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- 68.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
St. James Quick Facts
How St. James 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 | 6,901 | 7,072 | +2.5% |
| Median household income | $113,670 | $116,383 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $599,300 | $636,800 | +6.3% |
How St. James 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+)
St. James Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Brunswick County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leland | 29,607 | $91,977 | 6.1% | $398,900 |
| Oak Island | 9,030 | $85,872 | 8.7% | $456,500 |
| Boiling Spring Lakes | 6,347 | $62,676 | 8.6% | $292,300 |
| Carolina Shores | 5,017 | $76,087 | 4.0% | $288,600 |
| Shallotte | 4,639 | $88,367 | 10.3% | $349,500 |
| Sunset Beach | 4,351 | $81,976 | 5.8% | $410,900 |
| Southport | 4,205 | $87,641 | 6.4% | $437,700 |
| Belville | 2,573 | $81,944 | 10.7% | $282,600 |
| Calabash | 2,377 | $65,310 | 17.6% | $253,200 |
| Navassa | 2,039 | $62,000 | 9.2% | $187,100 |
Cities Similar to St. James
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mills River | 7,281 | $105,398 | $436,100 | 43.7% | 2.6% |
| Porters Neck | 7,654 | $119,979 | $569,700 | 66.5% | 3.8% |
| Unionville | 6,954 | $96,028 | $336,200 | 25.8% | 9.4% |
| Carolina Beach | 6,745 | $94,398 | $566,200 | 50.5% | 6.0% |
| Ogden | 8,249 | $121,338 | $463,700 | 49.5% | 4.8% |
Population Overview
St. James is a small city located in North Carolina, within Brunswick County. The total population is 7,072. It ranks as the 133rd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. James is 68.0 years. This is 74% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 2.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 23.8% 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 St. James is $116,383. This is 61% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 44% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.3%. This is 67% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 32% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $636,800. Housing costs are 120% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 96.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 45% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
St. James has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (90.4% vs 60.0%). The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
68.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places St. James in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 92% 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 99.2%. Notably, 30.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. James, 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 St. James, North Carolina?
St. James, North Carolina has a population of 7,072 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. James, NC?
The median household income in St. James is $116,383, which is 44% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. James, NC?
The poverty rate in St. James is 4.3%. This means approximately 305 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. James, North Carolina?
St. James's population is 90.4% White, 0.4% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. James, NC?
The median home value in St. James is $636,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is St. James, North Carolina?
68.3% of adults (25+) in St. James hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 30.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.