Williamston, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Williamston, North Carolina had a total population of 5,112, the 162nd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $38,738, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 36.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (36.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.8% is notably above the national average.
Williamston Quick Facts
How Williamston 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 | 5,157 | 5,112 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $40,556 | $38,738 | -4.5% |
| Median home value | $108,900 | $107,100 | -1.7% |
How Williamston 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Williamston Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Martin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robersonville | 1,220 | $43,523 | 29.8% | $94,500 |
| Jamesville | 457 | $46,703 | 6.3% | $97,600 |
| Parmele | 374 | $36,136 | 31.8% | $85,200 |
| Oak City | 353 | $61,091 | 5.9% | $96,100 |
| Hamilton | 243 | $41,875 | 14.0% | $69,300 |
| Everetts | 193 | $45,227 | 24.0% | $85,000 |
| Bear Grass | 133 | $77,679 | 0.8% | $131,800 |
| Hassell | 45 | $21,667 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Williamston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayden | 5,150 | $42,413 | $182,400 | 23.0% | 22.4% |
| Wadesboro | 4,972 | $42,667 | $153,200 | 16.9% | 27.4% |
| Ahoskie | 4,764 | $40,987 | $143,200 | 22.6% | 27.7% |
| Long View | 5,011 | $46,739 | $157,300 | 7.9% | 11.3% |
| Edenton | 4,494 | $38,417 | $274,100 | 23.1% | 29.9% |
Population Overview
Williamston is a small city located in North Carolina, within Martin County. The total population is 5,112. It ranks as the 162nd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Williamston is 45.4 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Williamston is $38,738. This is 46% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 36.3%. This is 179% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. 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 9.8%. This is 108% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $107,100. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Williamston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Williamston is Black or African American, making up 50.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 35.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (50.2% vs 20.0%).
Education
14.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 78.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Williamston, 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 Williamston, North Carolina?
Williamston, North Carolina has a population of 5,112 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Williamston, NC?
The median household income in Williamston is $38,738, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Williamston, NC?
The poverty rate in Williamston is 36.3%. This means approximately 1,807 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Williamston, North Carolina?
Williamston's population is 35.9% White, 50.2% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Williamston, NC?
The median home value in Williamston is $107,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Williamston, North Carolina?
14.3% of adults (25+) in Williamston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.