City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Cape Carteret, NC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Cape Carteret - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,598
Residents
$75,313
Median income
$347,500
Median home
$1,184
Median rent (state)

Cape Carteret - the verdict

Nationally, Cape Carteret sits in the 56th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

56th
percentile, household income
72nd
percentile, home value
35th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Cape Carteret, NC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,598 residents in Cape Carteret, a small town within North Carolina. Median household income here is $75,313 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.7%. Home values in Cape Carteret run a median of $347,500, and the median resident age is 47.6 years. About 31.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 50.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The city is served by 1 public schools according to NCES Common Core of Data.

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts North Carolina at 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,184 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts North Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $215 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 93.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

2,598 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$75,313 /yr

Poverty 5.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Cape Carteret compare to other US cities?

Where Cape Carteret sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 56% higher than other cities
Home value 72% pricier than other cities
Median rent 35% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Cape Carteret against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to North Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

North Carolina-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Cape Carteret toward the top of North Carolina's cities

Among the 708 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Cape Carteret ranks #124 - the 82nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Cape Carteret only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#189 of 700
73rd percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#321 of 746
55th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#124 of 708
82nd percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#480 of 746
35th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#213 of 746
71st percentile in North Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within North Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

56thIncome percentile

56th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Cape Carteret's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$347,500 28th percentile more affordable than 28% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Cape Carteret $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Cape Carteret, NC Cape Carteret, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Cape Carteret, NC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Cape Carteret, NC median $75,313/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Cape Carteret, NC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Cape Carteret, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 31.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,598
Median Income
$75,313
Median Home Value
$347,500
Median Age
47.6
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Labor force participation
50.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
31.9%

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,220 residents2,240 residents2,260 residents2,280 residents2,300 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,228 residents 2,273 residents ▲ +2.0%
Cape Carteret's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
86.7%
Carpool
5.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.3%
Work from Home
6.5%

Based on 1,132 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Cape Carteret sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,184/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Sylva
2,600 people
Marshville
2,586 people
Haw River
2,581 people
Youngsville
2,581 people
St. Pauls
2,628 people
Tobaccoville
2,632 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Cape Carteret's 2,598 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Colorado City, AZ
2,598 people
Rockdale, IL
2,598 people
Williamsburg, OH
2,598 people
Lake Arthur, LA
2,599 people
Ashley, PA
2,599 people
Graysville, AL
2,600 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Cape Carteret's $75,313 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Argenta, IL
$75,313 median income
Kenney, IL
$75,313 median income
Jewell Junction, IA
$75,313 median income
Shambaugh, IA
$75,313 median income
Ford, KS
$75,313 median income
Bray, OK
$75,313 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Cape Carteret, NC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Cape Carteret, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.2% White 94.7% Black or African American 0.3% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 5.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Cape Carteret compares to nearby North Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Cape Carteret (this city) 2,598 $75,313
Sylva 2,600 $41,926
Marshville 2,586 $60,784
Haw River 2,581 $67,366
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Cape Carteret, NC?

What is the population of Cape Carteret, NC? +

The population of Cape Carteret, NC stands at 2,598 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Cape Carteret, NC? +

Cape Carteret households earn a median of $75,313 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Cape Carteret? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Cape Carteret; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Cape Carteret, NC? +

The median home value in Cape Carteret is $347,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.