Turkey, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Turkey, North Carolina had a total population of 391, the 631st largest town in North Carolina. The poverty rate is 5.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 3.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Turkey Quick Facts
How Turkey 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 | 446 | 391 | -12.3% |
| Median home value | $49,200 | $52,100 | +5.9% |
How Turkey 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+)
Turkey Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Sampson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | 8,304 | $44,953 | 23.6% | $212,000 |
| Plain View | 1,741 | $53,636 | 10.5% | $200,900 |
| Roseboro | 1,123 | $39,333 | 39.2% | $130,300 |
| Bonnetsville | 1,063 | N/A | 62.8% | N/A |
| Spivey's Corner | 954 | $43,938 | 0.0% | $85,400 |
| Garland | 704 | $57,829 | 9.1% | $123,900 |
| Faison | 660 | $42,333 | 24.2% | $104,200 |
| Ingold | 599 | $50,893 | 3.7% | $33,400 |
| Salemburg | 550 | $83,026 | 9.7% | $163,100 |
| Newton Grove | 498 | $68,906 | 4.2% | $149,600 |
Cities Similar to Turkey
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bath | 391 | $103,611 | $382,400 | 44.0% | 10.0% |
| Macclesfield | 391 | $56,000 | $135,200 | 17.1% | 18.9% |
| Brookford | 390 | N/A | $131,300 | 7.3% | 19.0% |
| Arapahoe | 397 | N/A | $163,500 | 11.5% | 18.5% |
| Hightsville | 397 | $31,402 | $228,000 | 10.3% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 391, Turkey'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
Turkey is a small community located in North Carolina, within Sampson County. The total population is 391. It ranks as the 631st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Turkey is 26.4 years. This is 32% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 36.6% of the population under 18, Turkey has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 5.4%. This is 59% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $52,100. Housing costs are 82% lower than the state median of $288,900. 81.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Turkey is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 35.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (35.0% vs 11.3%).
Education
3.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 91% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Turkey, 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 Turkey, North Carolina?
Turkey, North Carolina has a population of 391 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Turkey, NC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Turkey — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Turkey, NC?
The poverty rate in Turkey is 5.4%. This means approximately 21 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Turkey, North Carolina?
Turkey's population is 52.2% White, 12.8% Black, 35.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Turkey, NC?
The median home value in Turkey is $52,100.
How educated is Turkey, North Carolina?
3.1% of adults (25+) in Turkey hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.