Sunbury, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sunbury, North Carolina had a total population of 251, the 681st largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $62,902, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 8.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Sunbury Quick Facts
How Sunbury 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 | 264 | 251 | -4.9% |
| Median household income | $51,094 | $62,902 | +23.1% |
How Sunbury 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+)
Sunbury Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Gates County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatesville | 320 | $73,611 | 3.1% | $218,100 |
Cities Similar to Sunbury
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valle Crucis | 242 | N/A | $463,800 | 78.3% | 6.2% |
| Bennett | 262 | N/A | $149,700 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Bolivia | 247 | $57,159 | $290,000 | 46.4% | 7.0% |
| Lowgap | 264 | $60,368 | $163,500 | 0.0% | 8.7% |
| Belvoir | 272 | N/A | $144,400 | 0.0% | 6.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 251, Sunbury'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
Sunbury is a small community located in North Carolina, within Gates County. The total population is 251. It ranks as the 681st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sunbury is 14.0 years. This is 64% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 50.2% of the population under 18, Sunbury has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sunbury is $62,902. This is 13% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.3%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Sunbury, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 65.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sunbury has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.8% of all residents.
Education
8.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sunbury, 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 Sunbury, North Carolina?
Sunbury, North Carolina has a population of 251 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sunbury, NC?
The median household income in Sunbury is $62,902, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sunbury, NC?
The poverty rate in Sunbury is 18.3%. This means approximately 46 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sunbury, North Carolina?
Sunbury's population is 88.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sunbury, NC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Sunbury — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Sunbury, North Carolina?
8.8% of adults (25+) in Sunbury hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.