City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

New Bern, NC

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

31,563
Residents
$56,893
Median income
$211,500
Median home
$1,184
Median rent (state)

New Bern - the verdict

New Bern ranks in the 30th percentile for household income and the 33rd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

30th
percentile, household income
46th
percentile, home value
35th
percentile, median rent
33rd
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: New Bern, NC

31,563 people live in New Bern, North Carolina - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in New Bern brings in $56,893 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.5%. Typical homes in New Bern are valued around $211,500, and the median resident age is 40.4 years. Educational attainment runs 29.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 55.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 303 residential building permits were authorized in New Bern (Building Boom), up 50% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1978.6 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures 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. 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). Commute times here average 17.1 minutes, with 81.6% driving alone and 6.0% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 93.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

31,563 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$56,893 /yr

Poverty 11.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does New Bern compare to other US cities?

Here's how New Bern stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 30% higher than other cities
Home value 46% pricier than other cities
Median rent 35% pricier than other cities
Safety 33% 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, New Bern ranks #73 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 New Bern'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.

30thIncome percentile
33rdSafety percentile

30th percentile nationally for median household income · 33rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

New Bern's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

New Bern'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 41 Avg. percentile National median
New Bern'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 New Bern's home value compares nationally

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

$211,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 54% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $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. New Bern $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 - New Bern, NC New Bern, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not New Bern, 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 New Bern, NC median $56,893/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%
New Bern, 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 New Bern, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 29.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.5%

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

Population
31,563
Median Income
$56,893
Median Home Value
$211,500
Median Age
40.4
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Labor force participation
55.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
29.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1978.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
362.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1616.1
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
14
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
30,000 residents32,000 residents34,000 residents36,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 31,343 residents 34,724 residents ▲ +10.8%
New Bern's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
303
housing units authorized
Single-Family
284
detached homes
Multifamily
19
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
9.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 202
2020 330
2021 18
2022 355
2023 239
2024 303

Permit volume increased 50% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.1 minutes
Drive Alone
81.6%
Carpool
7.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.7%
Work from Home
6.0%
Other
2.9%

Based on 14,202 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 New Bern 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

Cornelius
32,009 people
Sanford
30,833 people
Garner
32,543 people
Morrisville
30,471 people
Matthews
29,959 people
Goldsboro
33,448 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to New Bern's 31,563 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fitchburg, WI
31,566 people
Lakeside, FL
31,548 people
Bel Air North, MD
31,599 people
Shawnee, OK
31,511 people
Middle River, MD
31,616 people
Nicholasville, KY
31,625 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to New Bern's $56,893 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Orono, ME
$56,890 median income
Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace, FL
$56,887 median income
The Hideout, PA
$56,901 median income
Madisonville, KY
$56,902 median income
Waite Park, MN
$56,884 median income
Sturgeon Bay, WI
$56,882 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - New Bern, 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 New Bern, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 55.0% 28.9% 6.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.1% White 55.0% Black or African American 28.9% Asian 5.8% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.3% Two or more races 6.6% 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 New Bern 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
New Bern (this city) 31,563 $56,893
Cornelius 32,009 $114,688
Sanford 30,833 $54,294
Garner 32,543 $77,496
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about New Bern, NC?

What is the population of New Bern, NC? +

The population of New Bern, NC stands at 31,563 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in New Bern, NC? +

Median annual household income in New Bern runs $56,893, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in New Bern? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for New Bern; 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 New Bern, NC safe? +

New Bern has a total crime rate of 1978.6 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 New Bern, NC? +

The median home value in New Bern is $211,500, 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 Editorial

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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.