St. Pauls, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. Pauls, North Carolina had a total population of 2,688, the 283rd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $36,800, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
St. Pauls Quick Facts
How St. Pauls 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 | 2,628 | 2,688 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $33,667 | $36,800 | +9.3% |
| Median home value | $118,300 | $111,000 | -6.2% |
How St. Pauls 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
St. Pauls Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Robeson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumberton | 18,859 | $42,877 | 30.8% | $152,600 |
| Red Springs | 3,125 | $20,833 | 40.0% | $100,800 |
| Pembroke | 2,822 | $25,889 | 39.1% | $129,400 |
| Fairmont | 2,463 | $36,641 | 29.0% | $106,800 |
| Maxton | 2,330 | $22,667 | 42.7% | $83,200 |
| Barker Ten Mile | 1,156 | $66,667 | 6.0% | $163,700 |
| Rowland | 946 | $32,500 | 33.7% | $118,000 |
| Prospect | 907 | $110,769 | 21.7% | $100,700 |
| Parkton | 529 | $56,250 | 20.8% | $151,900 |
| Rennert | 292 | $26,875 | 33.9% | $45,800 |
Cities Similar to St. Pauls
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 2,682 | $39,663 | $194,500 | 9.2% | 16.6% |
| Grifton | 2,515 | $36,794 | $152,700 | 14.7% | 32.7% |
| East Rockingham | 2,779 | $34,355 | $111,800 | 7.0% | 31.0% |
| Brogden | 2,733 | $42,074 | $96,400 | 4.5% | 31.1% |
| Fairmont | 2,463 | $36,641 | $106,800 | 18.0% | 29.0% |
Population Overview
St. Pauls is a small community located in North Carolina, within Robeson County. The total population is 2,688. It ranks as the 283rd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. Pauls is 35.9 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 31.6% of the population under 18, St. Pauls has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in St. Pauls is $36,800. This is 49% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 37.8%. This is 190% 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 8.8%. This is 86% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $111,000. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 53.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
St. Pauls is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 35.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (36.5% vs 11.3%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
9.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 65.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. Pauls, 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. Pauls, North Carolina?
St. Pauls, North Carolina has a population of 2,688 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. Pauls, NC?
The median household income in St. Pauls is $36,800, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. Pauls, NC?
The poverty rate in St. Pauls is 37.8%. This means approximately 1,012 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. Pauls, North Carolina?
St. Pauls's population is 35.4% White, 22.0% Black, 36.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. Pauls, NC?
The median home value in St. Pauls is $111,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is St. Pauls, North Carolina?
9.6% of adults (25+) in St. Pauls hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.