Tar Heel, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tar Heel, North Carolina had a total population of 69, the 757th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $27,014, which is 63% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 63% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Tar Heel Quick Facts
How Tar Heel 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 | 72 | 69 | -4.2% |
| Median home value | $152,100 | $160,000 | +5.2% |
How Tar Heel 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+)
Tar Heel Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Bladen County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown | 3,277 | $29,375 | 33.0% | $159,200 |
| Bladenboro | 2,249 | $52,337 | 27.3% | $99,500 |
| White Lake | 970 | $84,375 | 5.9% | $235,300 |
| Clarkton | 740 | $27,292 | 50.1% | $140,100 |
| Kelly | 616 | $52,703 | 5.7% | $128,200 |
| East Arcadia | 444 | $44,063 | 30.9% | $128,100 |
| Dublin | 349 | $51,429 | 23.8% | $134,600 |
| White Oak | 191 | $98,929 | 6.8% | $407,100 |
| Butters | 62 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Tar Heel
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | 64 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Butters | 62 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Rex | 59 | N/A | $105,400 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Chinquapin | 83 | N/A | N/A | 50.0% | 0.0% |
| Bowmore | 88 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 38.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 69, Tar Heel'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
Tar Heel is a small community located in North Carolina, within Bladen County. The total population is 69. It ranks as the 757th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tar Heel is 52.5 years. This is 34% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 10.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tar Heel is $27,014. This is 63% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 67% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.7%. This is 33% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $160,000. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 51.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Tar Heel has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.4% of all residents.
Education
17.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 77.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tar Heel, 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 Tar Heel, North Carolina?
Tar Heel, North Carolina has a population of 69 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tar Heel, NC?
The median household income in Tar Heel is $27,014, which is 67% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tar Heel, NC?
The poverty rate in Tar Heel is 8.7%. This means approximately 6 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tar Heel, North Carolina?
Tar Heel's population is 88.4% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tar Heel, NC?
The median home value in Tar Heel is $160,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is Tar Heel, North Carolina?
17.7% of adults (25+) in Tar Heel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.