City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Princeton, NC

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

1,543
Residents
$36,656
Median income
$165,800
Median home
$1,244
Median rent (state)

Princeton - the verdict

Princeton ranks in the 6th percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

6th
percentile, household income
32nd
percentile, home value
40th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Princeton, NC

Princeton is a small town in North Carolina, home to 1,543 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $36,656 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 5.5%. Typical homes in Princeton are valued around $165,800, and the median resident age is 34.8 years. Educational attainment runs 10.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 51.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier.

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, North Carolina scores 94.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,244 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $215 across North Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 90.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

1,543 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$36,656 /yr

Poverty 5.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Princeton compare to other US cities?

Where Princeton sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 6% higher than other cities
Home value 32% pricier than other cities
Median rent 40% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Princeton against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to North Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

North Carolina-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Princeton toward the bottom of North Carolina's cities

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Princeton ranks #633 - the 15th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Princeton only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#623 of 700
11th percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#241 of 746
66th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#435 of 708
39th percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#489 of 746
34th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#633 of 746
15th percentile in North Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within North Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

6thIncome percentile

6th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Princeton's home value compares nationally

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

$165,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 68% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $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. Princeton $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 - Princeton, NC Princeton, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Princeton, 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 Princeton, NC median $36,656/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%
Princeton, 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 Princeton, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 10.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 51.3%

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

Population
1,543
Median Income
$36,656
Median Home Value
$165,800
Median Age
34.8
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Labor force participation
51.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
10.4%

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,200 residents1,300 residents1,400 residents1,500 residents1,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,322 residents 1,544 residents ▲ +16.8%
Princeton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 12
2020 1
2021 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2021.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
94.5%
Carpool
0.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
4.8%

Based on 585 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 Princeton sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,244/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
90.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Advance
1,544 people
Biltmore Forest
1,536 people
Cove Creek
1,533 people
Stanfield
1,554 people
Bethel
1,528 people
Clyde
1,522 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Princeton's 1,543 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Winchester, IL
1,543 people
Chenoweth, OR
1,543 people
John Day, OR
1,543 people
Bonneau Beach, SC
1,543 people
Westlake, TX
1,543 people
Freeport, ME
1,544 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Princeton's $36,656 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Kingfield, ME
$36,648 median income
West Jefferson, AL
$36,667 median income
McClure, IL
$36,667 median income
Mapleview, MN
$36,667 median income
Westbrook, MN
$36,667 median income
Houston, MS
$36,667 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Princeton, 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 Princeton, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 50.6% 19.1% 25.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 29.1% White 50.6% Black or African American 19.1% Asian 0.5% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 25.5% Two or more races 4.3% 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 Princeton 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
Princeton (this city) 1,543 $36,656
Advance 1,544 $109,402
Biltmore Forest 1,536 $172,500
Cove Creek 1,533 $53,898
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Princeton, NC?

What is the population of Princeton, NC? +

1,543 people live in Princeton, NC according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Princeton, NC? +

The median household income in Princeton is $36,656 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Princeton? +

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

What is the median home value in Princeton, NC? +

The median home value in Princeton is $165,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.