Washington city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Washington city, North Carolina has a total population of 9,754, the 97th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $41,723, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Washington city Quick Facts
How Washington city 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+)
Washington city Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Washington city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Airy city | 10,631 | $39,873 | $176,600 | 24.3% | 27.1% |
| Morehead City town | 9,696 | $53,718 | $330,900 | 34.6% | 17.4% |
| Rockingham city | 9,094 | $36,695 | $133,900 | 19.4% | 33.8% |
| Waynesville town | 10,408 | $50,554 | $254,800 | 31.4% | 15.3% |
| Oxford city | 8,897 | $48,135 | $177,200 | 20.7% | 25.3% |
Population Overview
Washington city is a small city located in North Carolina. The total population is 9,754. It ranks as the 97th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Washington city is 49.4 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 11.9% 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 Washington city is $41,723. This is 40% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 47% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.7%. This is 50% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $193,800. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 50.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Washington city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 43.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (43.3% vs 20.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.
Education
22.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 88.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Washington city, 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 Washington city, North Carolina?
Washington city, North Carolina has a population of 9,754 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Washington city, NC?
The median household income in Washington city is $41,723, which is 47% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Washington city, NC?
The poverty rate in Washington city is 19.7%. This means approximately 1,856 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Washington city, North Carolina?
Washington city's population is 45.9% White, 43.3% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Washington city, NC?
The median home value in Washington city is $193,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Washington city, North Carolina?
22.7% of adults (25+) in Washington city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.