Tabor City, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tabor City, North Carolina had a total population of 3,777, the 218th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $38,714, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.2% is notably above the national average.
Tabor City Quick Facts
How Tabor City 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 | 3,695 | 3,777 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $37,014 | $38,714 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $109,600 | $115,900 | +5.7% |
How Tabor City 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+)
Tabor City Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Columbus County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteville | 4,696 | $31,167 | 20.7% | $187,500 |
| Lake Waccamaw | 1,770 | $72,500 | 9.3% | $305,900 |
| Chadbourn | 1,352 | $45,787 | 30.6% | $135,400 |
| Brunswick | 937 | $22,500 | 64.5% | $82,500 |
| Sandyfield | 763 | $41,667 | 29.6% | $69,100 |
| Fair Bluff | 695 | $31,389 | 28.3% | $101,400 |
| Riegelwood | 649 | $49,583 | 11.3% | $200,300 |
| Bolton | 504 | $48,450 | 24.6% | $146,700 |
| Evergreen | 421 | N/A | 34.4% | N/A |
| Cerro Gordo | 319 | N/A | 25.1% | $189,900 |
Cities Similar to Tabor City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkesboro | 3,646 | $40,907 | $223,700 | 24.5% | 22.6% |
| Gamewell | 3,689 | $46,556 | $170,100 | 4.0% | 21.5% |
| Spindale | 4,131 | $41,262 | $167,400 | 15.5% | 21.8% |
| Lowell | 3,768 | $52,500 | $200,600 | 23.0% | 17.4% |
| Louisburg | 3,263 | $38,036 | $262,500 | 22.5% | 34.1% |
Population Overview
Tabor City is a small community located in North Carolina, within Columbus County. The total population is 3,777. It ranks as the 218th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tabor City is 41.2 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tabor City is $38,714. This is 47% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.9%. This is 152% 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 10.2%. This is 117% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $115,900. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 59.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tabor City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 42.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (42.5% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
11.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 78.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tabor City, 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 Tabor City, North Carolina?
Tabor City, North Carolina has a population of 3,777 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tabor City, NC?
The median household income in Tabor City is $38,714, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tabor City, NC?
The poverty rate in Tabor City is 32.9%. This means approximately 864 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tabor City, North Carolina?
Tabor City's population is 48.5% White, 42.5% Black, 1.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tabor City, NC?
The median home value in Tabor City is $115,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Tabor City, North Carolina?
11.9% of adults (25+) in Tabor City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.