Tarboro town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Tarboro town, North Carolina has a total population of 10,705, the 92nd largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $49,386, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Tarboro town Quick Facts
How Tarboro town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Tarboro town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Tarboro town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waynesville town | 10,408 | $50,554 | $254,800 | 31.4% | 15.3% |
| Spring Lake town | 11,613 | $50,497 | $101,300 | 24.8% | 20.9% |
| Kings Mountain city | 11,472 | $45,507 | $177,700 | 17.0% | 23.7% |
| Mount Airy city | 10,631 | $39,873 | $176,600 | 24.3% | 27.1% |
| Lincolnton city | 11,503 | $43,294 | $224,600 | 19.4% | 18.4% |
Population Overview
Tarboro town is a small city located in North Carolina. The total population is 10,705. It ranks as the 92nd most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tarboro town is 48.9 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 13.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tarboro town is $49,386. This is 29% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.8%. This is 50% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $155,500. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 57.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tarboro town is Black or African American, making up 51.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (51.7% vs 20.3%). The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.
Education
25.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tarboro town, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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 Tarboro town, North Carolina?
Tarboro town, North Carolina has a population of 10,705 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tarboro town, NC?
The median household income in Tarboro town is $49,386, which is 37% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Tarboro town, NC?
The poverty rate in Tarboro town is 19.8%. This means approximately 1,997 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tarboro town, North Carolina?
Tarboro town's population is 39.1% White, 51.7% Black, 7.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tarboro town, NC?
The median home value in Tarboro town is $155,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Tarboro town, North Carolina?
25.4% of adults (25+) in Tarboro town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.