City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Kitty Hawk, NC

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

3,721
Residents
$88,811
Median income
$494,200
Median home
$1,713
Median rent (state)

Kitty Hawk - the verdict

Kitty Hawk ranks in the 70th percentile for household income and the 35th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

70th
percentile, household income
85th
percentile, home value
69th
percentile, median rent
35th
percentile, safety
📝 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: Kitty Hawk, NC

3,721 people live in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Kitty Hawk households earn a median of $88,811 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.4%. Home values in Kitty Hawk run a median of $494,200, and the median resident age is 50.3 years. Educational attainment runs 42.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 61.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 12 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 33% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1884.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: the state registers 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,713 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts North Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $215 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 18.1 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

3,721 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$88,811 /yr

Poverty 1.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Kitty Hawk compare to other US cities?

Kitty Hawk measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 70% higher than other cities
Home value 85% pricier than other cities
Median rent 69% pricier than other cities
Safety 35% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at North Carolina, Kitty Hawk ranks #67 of 195 North Carolina cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Kitty Hawk's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in North Carolina, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

70thIncome percentile
35thSafety percentile

70th percentile nationally for median household income · 35th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Kitty Hawk's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Kitty Hawk's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 43 Avg. percentile National median
Kitty Hawk's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Kitty Hawk's home value compares nationally

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

$494,200 15th percentile more affordable than 15% 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%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Kitty Hawk $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 - Kitty Hawk, NC Kitty Hawk, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Kitty Hawk, 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 Kitty Hawk, NC median $88,811/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%
Kitty Hawk, 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 Kitty Hawk, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 42.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.4%

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

Population
3,721
Median Income
$88,811
Median Home Value
$494,200
Median Age
50.3
Poverty Rate
1.4%
Labor force participation
61.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
42.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1884.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
242.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1642.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

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 →
3,650 residents3,700 residents3,750 residents3,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,711 residents 3,670 residents ▼ -1.1%
Kitty Hawk's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
12
housing units authorized
Single-Family
12
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 18
2020 21
2021 29
2022 29
2023 20
2024 12

Permit volume decreased 33% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.0%
Carpool
5.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.4%
Work from Home
21.2%

Based on 1,894 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 Kitty Hawk sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,713/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
18.1 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Landis
3,726 people
Lowell
3,711 people
Lowesville
3,737 people
Gamewell
3,701 people
Tabor City
3,695 people
Jamestown
3,685 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Kitty Hawk's 3,721 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Angels, CA
3,721 people
Felton, CA
3,721 people
Kaunakakai, HI
3,721 people
Hill 'n Dale, FL
3,722 people
Rosemont, PA
3,722 people
Arcadia, WI
3,720 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Kitty Hawk's $88,811 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Oak Hills, PA
$88,807 median income
Rodeo, CA
$88,819 median income
La Crosse, FL
$88,819 median income
Callicoon, NY
$88,819 median income
Savoy, IL
$88,828 median income
Atascadero, CA
$88,830 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Kitty Hawk, 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 Kitty Hawk, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.1% 7.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.0% White 86.1% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.6% Two or more races 7.8% 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 Kitty Hawk 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
Kitty Hawk (this city) 3,721 $88,811
Landis 3,726 $82,645
Lowell 3,711 $51,829
Lowesville 3,737 $117,835
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Kitty Hawk, NC?

What is the population of Kitty Hawk, NC? +

Kitty Hawk, NC counts 3,721 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Kitty Hawk, NC? +

In Kitty Hawk, the typical household earns $88,811 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Kitty Hawk? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Kitty Hawk; 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.

Is Kitty Hawk, NC safe? +

Kitty Hawk has a total crime rate of 1884.7 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Kitty Hawk, NC? +

The median home value in Kitty Hawk is $494,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, 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.