Wanchese, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wanchese, North Carolina had a total population of 1,956, the 345th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $88,750, which is 23% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Wanchese Quick Facts
How Wanchese 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 | 1,793 | 1,956 | +9.1% |
| Median household income | $73,542 | $88,750 | +20.7% |
| Median home value | $257,100 | $311,800 | +21.3% |
How Wanchese 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+)
Wanchese Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Dare County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kill Devil Hills | 7,761 | $89,773 | 9.2% | $442,200 |
| Kitty Hawk | 3,724 | $94,450 | 4.7% | $535,000 |
| Nags Head | 3,160 | $91,264 | 2.4% | $490,800 |
| Southern Shores | 3,139 | $131,429 | 0.6% | $712,300 |
| Manteo | 2,020 | $83,777 | 19.2% | $444,400 |
| Buxton | 1,267 | N/A | 6.7% | $409,900 |
| Manns Harbor | 926 | $51,800 | 25.1% | $253,000 |
| Rodanthe | 781 | N/A | 2.3% | N/A |
| Duck | 669 | $136,250 | 10.8% | $767,500 |
| Frisco | 664 | $43,846 | 1.1% | $439,600 |
Cities Similar to Wanchese
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foxfire | 1,925 | $85,117 | $386,700 | 34.8% | 4.6% |
| Manteo | 2,020 | $83,777 | $444,400 | 44.6% | 19.2% |
| Cedar Point | 1,917 | $98,750 | $423,700 | 46.6% | 5.4% |
| Pine Level | 2,031 | $75,263 | $221,000 | 24.5% | 8.0% |
| Pinebluff | 1,806 | $80,833 | $234,200 | 29.3% | 6.1% |
Population Overview
Wanchese is a small community located in North Carolina, within Dare County. The total population is 1,956. It ranks as the 345th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wanchese is 36.3 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 31.1% of the population under 18, Wanchese has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wanchese is $88,750. This is 23% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 10% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.3%. This is 51% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $311,800. Housing costs are 8% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 69.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wanchese has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.8% vs 60.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (4.7%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
28.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% 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 92.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wanchese, 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 Wanchese, North Carolina?
Wanchese, North Carolina has a population of 1,956 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wanchese, NC?
The median household income in Wanchese is $88,750, which is 10% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wanchese, NC?
The poverty rate in Wanchese is 6.3%. This means approximately 124 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wanchese, North Carolina?
Wanchese's population is 91.8% White, 0.0% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wanchese, NC?
The median home value in Wanchese is $311,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Wanchese, North Carolina?
28.9% of adults (25+) in Wanchese hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.