Williamston town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Williamston town, North Carolina has a total population of 5,157, the 158th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $40,556, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.8% is notably above the national average.
Williamston town Quick Facts
How Williamston town 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+)
Williamston town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Martin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robersonville town | 1,319 | $43,359 | 19.1% | $85,900 |
| Jamesville town | 373 | $43,319 | 7.8% | $94,800 |
| Hamilton town | 183 | $40,781 | 13.7% | $75,000 |
Cities Similar to Williamston town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayden town | 5,035 | $41,711 | $161,200 | 20.8% | 21.6% |
| Ahoskie town | 4,798 | $40,762 | $123,800 | 23.8% | 24.4% |
| Long View town | 4,967 | $44,156 | $142,900 | 8.2% | 10.8% |
| Whiteville city | 4,721 | $38,004 | $173,100 | 23.7% | 16.2% |
| Wadesboro town | 4,966 | $34,125 | $98,600 | 15.5% | 30.0% |
Population Overview
Williamston town is a small city located in North Carolina, within Martin County. The total population is 5,157. It ranks as the 158th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Williamston town is 43.9 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Williamston town is $40,556. This is 42% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 48% lower. The poverty rate stands at 30.6%. This is 132% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 12.8%. This is 166% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $108,900. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Williamston town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Williamston town is Black or African American, making up 48.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (48.0% vs 20.3%).
Education
13.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 77.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Williamston town, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Williamston town, North Carolina?
Williamston town, North Carolina has a population of 5,157 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Williamston town, NC?
The median household income in Williamston town is $40,556, which is 48% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Williamston town, NC?
The poverty rate in Williamston town is 30.6%. This means approximately 1,537 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Williamston town, North Carolina?
Williamston town's population is 39.6% White, 48.0% Black, 6.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Williamston town, NC?
The median home value in Williamston town is $108,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Williamston town, North Carolina?
13.5% of adults (25+) in Williamston town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.