Tarboro, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tarboro, North Carolina had a total population of 10,770, the 92nd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $49,796, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Tarboro Quick Facts
How Tarboro 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 | 10,705 | 10,770 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $49,386 | $49,796 | +0.8% |
| Median home value | $155,500 | $185,500 | +19.3% |
How Tarboro 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+)
Tarboro Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Edgecombe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeville | 1,619 | $46,406 | 36.2% | $106,000 |
| Pinetops | 1,426 | $60,458 | 13.1% | $136,500 |
| Conetoe | 561 | $38,776 | 74.5% | $86,400 |
| Macclesfield | 391 | $56,000 | 18.9% | $135,200 |
| Speed | 64 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Leggett | 43 | $41,563 | 2.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Tarboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waynesville | 10,502 | $54,923 | $281,700 | 33.0% | 15.9% |
| Spring Lake | 11,573 | $51,958 | $124,000 | 25.2% | 17.7% |
| Kings Mountain | 12,039 | $49,564 | $204,100 | 17.8% | 23.0% |
| Mount Airy | 10,633 | $40,275 | $181,900 | 23.1% | 26.9% |
| Lincolnton | 11,783 | $46,320 | $248,700 | 24.0% | 22.7% |
Population Overview
Tarboro is a small city located in North Carolina, within Edgecombe County. The total population is 10,770. It ranks as the 92nd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tarboro is 51.2 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 14.1% 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 is $49,796. This is 31% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.5%. This is 42% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $185,500. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 57.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tarboro is Black or African American, making up 49.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 41.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (49.6% vs 20.0%). The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
26.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 88.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tarboro, 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.
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, North Carolina?
Tarboro, North Carolina has a population of 10,770 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tarboro, NC?
The median household income in Tarboro is $49,796, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tarboro, NC?
The poverty rate in Tarboro is 18.5%. This means approximately 1,885 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tarboro, North Carolina?
Tarboro's population is 41.9% White, 49.6% Black, 6.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tarboro, NC?
The median home value in Tarboro is $185,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Tarboro, North Carolina?
26.6% of adults (25+) in Tarboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.