Watha, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Watha, North Carolina had a total population of 271, the 674th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $48,125, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Watha Quick Facts
How Watha 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 | 244 | 271 | +11.1% |
| Median household income | $36,042 | $48,125 | +33.5% |
| Median home value | $100,000 | $143,300 | +43.3% |
How Watha 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+)
Watha Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Pender County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hampstead | 9,292 | $91,745 | 9.5% | $402,100 |
| Burgaw | 3,850 | $67,853 | 19.7% | $242,200 |
| Wallace | 3,457 | $51,250 | 30.4% | $178,000 |
| Rocky Point | 1,020 | $69,514 | 19.8% | $163,500 |
| St. Helena | 544 | $75,313 | 20.6% | $215,600 |
| Atkinson | 485 | $59,886 | 13.6% | $155,100 |
| Topsail Beach | 406 | $93,250 | 7.6% | $691,200 |
| Long Creek | 206 | N/A | 23.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Watha
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belvoir | 272 | N/A | $144,400 | 0.0% | 6.6% |
| Falcon | 272 | N/A | $204,200 | 24.7% | 44.5% |
| Bennett | 262 | N/A | $149,700 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Hiddenite | 290 | N/A | N/A | 14.7% | 28.2% |
| Hallsboro | 291 | N/A | $133,100 | 0.0% | 60.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 271, Watha'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
Watha is a small community located in North Carolina, within Pender County. The total population is 271. It ranks as the 674th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watha is 33.8 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Watha is $48,125. This is 34% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.6%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $143,300. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 85.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Watha has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (90.8% vs 60.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
9.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 85.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watha, 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 Watha, North Carolina?
Watha, North Carolina has a population of 271 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watha, NC?
The median household income in Watha is $48,125, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Watha, NC?
The poverty rate in Watha is 16.6%. This means approximately 45 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watha, North Carolina?
Watha's population is 90.8% White, 0.0% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watha, NC?
The median home value in Watha is $143,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Watha, North Carolina?
9.3% of adults (25+) in Watha hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.