Swansboro, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Swansboro, North Carolina had a total population of 3,997, the 209th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $114,425, which is 58% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 58% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
Swansboro Quick Facts
How Swansboro 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 | 3,887 | 3,997 | +2.8% |
| Median household income | $112,382 | $114,425 | +1.8% |
| Median home value | $356,900 | $378,700 | +6.1% |
How Swansboro 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+)
Swansboro Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Onslow County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | 71,279 | $57,697 | 12.7% | $210,100 |
| Piney Green | 14,078 | $72,177 | 10.8% | $227,600 |
| Half Moon | 7,378 | $68,946 | 7.9% | $182,500 |
| Holly Ridge | 4,904 | $104,788 | 0.8% | $360,300 |
| Surf City | 4,396 | $81,433 | 5.5% | $512,300 |
| Sneads Ferry | 2,728 | $79,594 | 13.3% | $269,300 |
| Richlands | 2,335 | $65,163 | 11.1% | $248,800 |
| Pumpkin Center | 1,636 | $64,102 | 2.9% | $189,600 |
| North Topsail Beach | 784 | $121,250 | 6.5% | $473,600 |
Cities Similar to Swansboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowesville | 3,874 | $113,510 | $406,500 | 21.9% | 4.1% |
| Trent Woods | 4,032 | $107,802 | $343,100 | 65.8% | 3.5% |
| Troutman | 3,995 | $98,462 | $398,800 | 41.4% | 6.1% |
| Forest Oaks | 4,293 | $107,604 | $349,300 | 46.1% | 20.4% |
| Royal Pines | 4,325 | $107,885 | $400,200 | 57.1% | 1.5% |
Population Overview
Swansboro is a small community located in North Carolina, within Onslow County. The total population is 3,997. It ranks as the 209th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Swansboro is 44.7 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Swansboro is $114,425. This is 58% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 42% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.1%. This is 8% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $378,700. Housing costs are 31% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 72.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Swansboro is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.3%. The Black or African American population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.3%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
39.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% 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 93.7%. Notably, 20.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Swansboro, 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 Swansboro, North Carolina?
Swansboro, North Carolina has a population of 3,997 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Swansboro, NC?
The median household income in Swansboro is $114,425, which is 42% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Swansboro, NC?
The poverty rate in Swansboro is 14.1%. This means approximately 563 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Swansboro, North Carolina?
Swansboro's population is 84.4% White, 2.7% Black, 5.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Swansboro, NC?
The median home value in Swansboro is $378,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Swansboro, North Carolina?
39.8% of adults (25+) in Swansboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.