City · North Carolina
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Elizabeth City, city, mostly in Pasquotank County (99.8% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Camden County, North Carolina. Elizabeth City had 19,622 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 18,631 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 18,871 (±65). GEOID 3720580.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
19,622
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 18,631 · ACS 2020-2024: 18,871 ±65
Median household income
$52,141
±$4,732 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$187,700
±$26,577 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,117
±$76 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Elizabeth City and what county is it in?
Elizabeth City is a city mostly in Pasquotank County (99.8% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Camden County, North Carolina. It covers 11.8 square miles of land, 1,580 residents per square mile in 2020.
Elizabeth City is in the Elizabeth City, NC micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pasquotank County | 18,593 | 99.8% |
| Camden County | 38 | 0.2% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Elizabeth City, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 19,622 people lived in Elizabeth City on July 1, 2025, up 5.3% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 18,631 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 18,871 (±65).
| Measure | Elizabeth City | Pasquotank County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 18,871 ±65 | 40,834 | +1,242 |
| Households | 7,576 ±400 | 15,785 | +1,050 |
| Average household size | 2.30 ±0.12 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,689 ±376 | 17,721 | +638 |
Elizabeth City's population since 2000
From 17,188 in 2000 to 19,622 in 2025: up 14.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Elizabeth City as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Elizabeth City?
The median resident of Elizabeth City is 36.5 years old; 21.2% are under 18 and 18.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 45.5%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 42.1%. 3.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Elizabeth City | Pasquotank County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.5 ±3.2 | 39.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.2% ±2.0 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.6% ±1.6 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Male | 43.1% ±1.7 pts | 48.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.1% ±2.2 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 42.1% ±3.8 pts | 53.8% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 45.5% ±3.3 pts | 34.2% | −4.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±1.0 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6% ±1.7 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.4% ±1.4 pts | 2.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.1% ±2.1 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.8% ±2.1 pts | 10.9% | – |
| With a disability | 13.6% ±2.0 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.0% ±2.3 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.3% ±3.1 pts | 89.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.2% ±4.3 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.5% ±2.5 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 77.8% ±3.6 pts | 84.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.3% ±1.6 pts | 4.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Elizabeth City earn?
Half of Elizabeth City's 7,576 households earn less than $52,141 a year (±$4,732), against $66,589 in Pasquotank County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $47,895 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Elizabeth City | Pasquotank County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,141 ±$4,732 | $66,589 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $70,834 ±$7,528 | $85,046 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,560 ±$3,035 | $33,719 | +$5,326 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.3% ±2.8 pts | 11.0% | −9.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.2% ±5.4 pts | 9.9% | −22.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 23.2% ±3.6 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.2% ±1.8 pts | 94.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.5% ±2.4 pts | 91.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Elizabeth City?
Owners occupy 44.1% of Elizabeth City's occupied homes and renters 55.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $187,700 by its owner (±$26,577). The median renter pays $1,117 a month including utilities, and 46.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Elizabeth City | Pasquotank County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $187,700 ±$26,577 | $234,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,117 ±$76 | $1,170 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.4% ±6.3 pts | 45.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,417 ±$128 | $1,554 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 44.1% ±3.9 pts | 67.5% | +6.5 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 55.9% ±3.9 pts | 32.5% | – |
| Housing units | 8,689 ±376 | 17,721 | +638 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.9% ±1.9 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.8% ±2.4 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.4% ±4.2 pts | 70.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.1% ±2.4 pts | 12.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2% ±0.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 8.1% ±2.5 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 17.0% ±3.3 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.9% ±2.3 pts | 5.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Elizabeth City building?
Builders took permits for 185 new housing units in Elizabeth City in 2025 (185 in single-family houses), 9.4 per 1,000 residents against 7.7 across North Carolina.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Elizabeth City work and get to work?
72.1% of Elizabeth City's workers drive alone and 11.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.0%.
| Measure | Elizabeth City | Pasquotank County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.6% ±2.8 pts | 59.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% ±2.8 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.1% ±7.5 pts | 72.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.7% ±3.8 pts | 12.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 3.1% ±1.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.5% ±5.8 pts | 9.9% | +9.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.4 min ±3.6 | 28.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Elizabeth City?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Elizabeth City, and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $27,226 (Tract 9603) to $52,596 (Tract 9602).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9602Pasquotank County | 4,259 | $52,596 |
| Tract 9604Pasquotank County | 4,214 | $47,866 |
| Tract 9607.01Pasquotank County | 6,364 | $103,237 |
| Tract 9606Pasquotank County | 7,643 | $79,299 |
| Tract 9603Pasquotank County | 2,171 | $27,226 |
| Tract 9601Pasquotank County | 1,528 | $35,625 |
| Tract 9605.02Pasquotank County | 6,214 | $71,206 |
| Tract 9605.01Pasquotank County | 3,152 | $73,859 |
| Tract 9501.01Camden County | 6,641 | $93,893 |
| Tract 9501.02Camden County | 4,286 | $81,524 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Elizabeth City) · Census block assignment files
How does Elizabeth City compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Elizabeth City is the 1,976th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 56th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Elizabeth City ranks 306th of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 56th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 151st | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 64th | 443 |
| Median household income | 306th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 290th | 443 |
| Median home value | 319th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 153rd | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 201st | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 200th | 421 |
| Median age | 336th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 418th | 443 |
| Work from home | 176th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 146th | 439 |
Elizabeth City's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Elizabeth City with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Elizabeth City?
5 of the 57 figures for Elizabeth City on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Elizabeth City are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Elizabeth City.