Walnut Creek, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Walnut Creek, North Carolina had a total population of 1,422, the 398th largest village in North Carolina, with a median household income of $166,250, which is 130% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 130% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- 68.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.
Walnut Creek Quick Facts
How Walnut Creek 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 | 1,684 | 1,422 | -15.6% |
| Median household income | $145,417 | $166,250 | +14.3% |
| Median home value | $423,800 | $468,700 | +10.6% |
How Walnut Creek 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+)
Walnut Creek Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro | 34,383 | $48,540 | 22.8% | $200,400 |
| Mount Olive | 4,453 | $48,700 | 17.6% | $153,500 |
| Elroy | 3,251 | $63,238 | 14.0% | $133,100 |
| Mar-Mac | 2,877 | $53,819 | 11.8% | $149,200 |
| Brogden | 2,733 | $42,074 | 31.1% | $96,400 |
| Dudley | 2,305 | $42,050 | 35.3% | $90,000 |
| New Hope | 1,487 | $58,667 | 8.6% | $162,800 |
| Fremont | 943 | $51,667 | 28.2% | $147,800 |
| Pikeville | 776 | $62,396 | 15.2% | $140,800 |
| Eureka | 224 | $66,250 | 8.9% | $122,900 |
Cities Similar to Walnut Creek
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maury | 1,339 | N/A | N/A | 3.3% | 54.7% |
| Buxton | 1,267 | N/A | $409,900 | 25.5% | 6.7% |
| Biltmore Forest | 1,587 | $169,167 | $1,333,300 | 87.4% | 2.0% |
| Advance | 1,408 | $115,391 | $434,400 | 47.2% | 5.0% |
| Pine Knoll Shores | 1,351 | $109,375 | $592,300 | 65.5% | 3.5% |
Population Overview
Walnut Creek is a small community located in North Carolina, within Wayne County. The total population is 1,422. It ranks as the 398th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Walnut Creek is 42.3 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Walnut Creek is $166,250. This is 130% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 106% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.6%. This is 49% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.7%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $468,700. Housing costs are 62% higher than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Walnut Creek is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 87.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Walnut Creek has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.1% vs 60.0%). The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
68.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Walnut Creek in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 91% higher 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 97.5%. Notably, 29.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Walnut Creek, 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 Walnut Creek, North Carolina?
Walnut Creek, North Carolina has a population of 1,422 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Walnut Creek, NC?
The median household income in Walnut Creek is $166,250, which is 106% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Walnut Creek, NC?
The poverty rate in Walnut Creek is 6.6%. This means approximately 94 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Walnut Creek, North Carolina?
Walnut Creek's population is 91.1% White, 0.9% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Walnut Creek, NC?
The median home value in Walnut Creek is $468,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Walnut Creek, North Carolina?
68.2% of adults (25+) in Walnut Creek hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 29.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.