Town · North Carolina
Plymouth, North Carolina
Plymouth, town, in Washington County, North Carolina. Plymouth had 3,170 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 3,320 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 3,250 (±16). GEOID 3753040.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,170
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,320 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,250 ±16
Median household income
$34,521
±$7,287 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$87,000
±$16,788 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$728
±$158 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Plymouth and what county is it in?
Plymouth is a town in Washington County, North Carolina. It covers 4.0 square miles of land, 824 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Plymouth, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 3,170 people lived in Plymouth on July 1, 2025, down 4.4% since 2020, while North Carolina grew 7.2%. The 2020 Census counted 3,320 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 3,250 (±16).
| Measure | Plymouth | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,250 ±16 | 10,812 | −228 |
| Households | 1,314 ±163 | 4,744 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.38 ±0.29 | 2.25 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,826 ±168 | 6,040 | no clear change |
Plymouth's population since 2000
From 4,107 in 2000 to 3,170 in 2025: down 22.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Plymouth 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 Plymouth?
The median resident of Plymouth is 48.6 years old; 21.8% are under 18 and 28.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 72.1%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 26.7%.
| Measure | Plymouth | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.6 ±5.9 | 48.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.8% ±4.6 pts | 19.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 28.8% ±5.0 pts | 28.0% | – |
| Male | 60.9% ±3.4 pts | 51.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.7% ±1.0 pts | 4.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 26.7% ±9.1 pts | 44.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 72.1% ±9.0 pts | 47.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.8 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.4% ±0.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.8% ±2.7 pts | 8.7% | – |
| With a disability | 31.4% ±6.3 pts | 26.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.3% ±4.0 pts | 9.2% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.8% ±6.6 pts | 86.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 8.1% ±4.5 pts | 14.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.0% ±3.1 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 93.5% ±4.4 pts | 90.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.2% ±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
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 Plymouth earn?
Half of Plymouth's 1,314 households earn less than $34,521 a year (±$7,287), against $41,813 in Washington County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $22,756 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $11,765 after inflation. 29.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Plymouth | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $34,521 ±$7,287 | $41,813 | +$11,765 |
| Mean household income | $44,051 ±$7,310 | $62,368 | – |
| Per capita income | $18,773 ±$3,610 | $28,281 | −$10,981 |
| People below the poverty line | 29.9% ±13.9 pts | 24.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 27.5% ±29.5 pts | 31.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 49.5% ±12.2 pts | 33.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 77.9% ±10.6 pts | 83.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 74.5% ±10.0 pts | 78.2% | – |
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 Plymouth?
Owners occupy 55.9% of Plymouth's occupied homes and renters 44.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $87,000 by its owner (±$16,788). The median renter pays $728 a month including utilities, and 33.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Plymouth | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $87,000 ±$16,788 | $125,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $728 ±$158 | $743 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.0% ±20.3 pts | 33.3% | −32.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,199 ±$87 | $1,200 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 55.9% ±13.8 pts | 68.0% | +22.5 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 44.1% ±13.8 pts | 32.0% | – |
| Housing units | 1,826 ±168 | 6,040 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 7.0% ±9.1 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.9% ±12.6 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.2% ±9.7 pts | 66.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.3% ±4.2 pts | 23.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±2.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 0.0% ±2.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.7% ±6.8 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 16.7% ±10.5 pts | 14.1% | – |
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 do people in Plymouth work and get to work?
77.1% of Plymouth's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 22.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 26.4%.
| Measure | Plymouth | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 40.0% ±4.9 pts | 45.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 26.4% ±16.3 pts | 13.0% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 77.1% ±13.8 pts | 80.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 17.2% ±12.2 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±5.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 1.7% ±3.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.0% ±4.9 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.1 min ±8.1 | 32.4 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 Plymouth?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Plymouth (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $38,020 (Tract 9502.01) to $45,117 (Tract 9502.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9502.01Washington County | 2,609 | $38,020 |
| Tract 9502.02Washington County | 2,872 | $45,117 |
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 Plymouth) · Census block assignment files
How does Plymouth compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Plymouth is the 6,159th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 210th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Plymouth ranks 418th 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 | 210th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 322nd | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 253rd | 443 |
| Median household income | 418th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 424th | 443 |
| Median home value | 433rd | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 353rd | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 43rd | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 411th | 421 |
| Median age | 79th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 320th | 443 |
| Travel time to work | 291st | 439 |
Plymouth's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Plymouth 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 Plymouth?
21 of the 57 figures for Plymouth 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 Plymouth 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 Plymouth.