City · North Carolina
New Bern, North Carolina
New Bern, city, in Craven County, North Carolina. New Bern had 34,724 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 10.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 31,291 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 32,734 (±47). GEOID 3746340.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
34,724
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 31,291 · ACS 2020-2024: 32,734 ±47
Median household income
$61,031
±$4,313 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$240,100
±$17,455 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,081
±$49 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is New Bern and what county is it in?
New Bern is a city in Craven County, North Carolina. It covers 28.7 square miles of land, 1,091 residents per square mile in 2020.
New Bern is in the New Bern, NC micropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in New Bern, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 34,724 people lived in New Bern on July 1, 2025, up 10.9% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 31,291 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 32,734 (±47).
| Measure | New Bern | Craven County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 32,734 ±47 | 102,612 | +2,839 |
| Households | 14,673 ±629 | 42,871 | +916 |
| Average household size | 2.20 ±0.09 | 2.29 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 16,816 ±562 | 48,533 | +1,023 |
New Bern's population since 2000
From 23,128 in 2000 to 34,724 in 2025: up 50.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for New Bern 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 New Bern?
The median resident of New Bern is 38.9 years old; 22.4% are under 18 and 24.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 50.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 29.3%. 5.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | New Bern | Craven County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.9 ±2.1 | 38.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.4% ±1.6 pts | 21.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.5% ±1.8 pts | 20.9% | – |
| Male | 45.7% ±1.4 pts | 50.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.0% ±1.8 pts | 7.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 50.7% ±2.6 pts | 64.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 29.3% ±2.7 pts | 19.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 5.9% ±1.1 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.4% ±1.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 2.4% ±1.6 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.8% ±1.2 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 11.6% ±1.7 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 14.2% ±1.9 pts | 14.5% | – |
| With a disability | 15.9% ±1.8 pts | 16.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.0% ±1.5 pts | 7.8% | −5.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.8% ±1.5 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.4% ±2.6 pts | 27.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.8% ±2.1 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.6% ±2.8 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.4% ±1.5 pts | 4.7% | – |
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 New Bern earn?
Half of New Bern's 14,673 households earn less than $61,031 a year (±$4,313), against $65,873 in Craven County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $53,171 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,860 after inflation. 17.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | New Bern | Craven County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,031 ±$4,313 | $65,873 | +$7,860 |
| Mean household income | $83,172 ±$5,442 | $85,440 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,196 ±$2,353 | $36,931 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.3% ±3.0 pts | 13.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.8% ±6.9 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.7% ±2.5 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.7% ±1.3 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.9% ±2.4 pts | 85.6% | – |
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 New Bern?
Owners occupy 59.7% of New Bern's occupied homes and renters 40.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $240,100 by its owner (±$17,455). The median renter pays $1,081 a month including utilities, and 36.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | New Bern | Craven County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $240,100 ±$17,455 | $231,600 | +$48,235 |
| Median gross rent | $1,081 ±$49 | $1,110 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.5% ±5.9 pts | 37.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,504 ±$93 | $1,454 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 59.7% ±3.6 pts | 68.4% | +6.7 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 40.3% ±3.6 pts | 31.6% | – |
| Housing units | 16,816 ±562 | 48,533 | +1,023 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6% ±1.2 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.3% ±4.0 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.9% ±3.1 pts | 67.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.1% ±1.5 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 5.1% ±1.6 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 16.0% ±2.3 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.9% ±1.7 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.1% ±1.8 pts | 6.3% | – |
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 New Bern building?
Builders took permits for 309 new housing units in New Bern in 2025 (309 in single-family houses), 8.9 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 New Bern work and get to work?
77.3% of New Bern's workers drive alone and 8.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.6%.
| Measure | New Bern | Craven County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.7% ±2.3 pts | 58.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% ±1.4 pts | 4.2% | −3.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 77.3% ±3.5 pts | 77.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.5% ±2.7 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 1.6% ±0.9 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.8% ±2.3 pts | 7.5% | +5.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.8 min ±1.3 | 21.7 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 New Bern?
7 census tracts lie mostly in New Bern, and 5 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $35,422 (Tract 9608) to $62,049 (Tract 9604.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9606Craven County | 5,842 | $57,669 |
| Tract 9604.02Craven County | 4,198 | $62,049 |
| Tract 9610.03Craven County | 6,728 | $88,212 |
| Tract 9605.01Craven County | 4,308 | $55,352 |
| Tract 9605.02Craven County | 4,089 | $44,889 |
| Tract 9608Craven County | 2,721 | $35,422 |
| Tract 9604.01Craven County | 4,263 | $86,625 |
| Tract 9607Craven County | 1,797 | $52,734 |
| Tract 9609Craven County | 1,771 | $42,308 |
| Tract 9601.01Craven County | 4,202 | $75,714 |
| Tract 9610.02Craven County | 3,926 | $65,000 |
| Tract 9610.04Craven County | 5,371 | $83,212 |
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 New Bern) · Census block assignment files
How does New Bern compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, New Bern is the 1,195th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 34th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
New Bern ranks 232nd 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 | 34th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 62nd | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 158th | 443 |
| Median household income | 232nd | 434 |
| Per capita income | 149th | 443 |
| Median home value | 228th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 169th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 149th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 184th | 421 |
| Median age | 264th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 290th | 443 |
| Work from home | 216th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 388th | 439 |
New Bern's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare New Bern 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 New Bern?
4 of the 57 figures for New Bern 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 New Bern 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 New Bern.