County · North Carolina
Bladen County, North Carolina
Bladen County, North Carolina. Bladen County had 30,007 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.3% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 10 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 37017.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
30,007
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 29,606 · ACS 2020-2024: 29,566
Median household income
$42,422
±$6,049 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$135,100
±$18,968 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$773
±$73 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Bladen County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 29,606 residents in Bladen County. The Census Bureau estimates 30,007 for July 1, 2025, up 1.3% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 29,566 over 875 square miles of land.
| Measure | Bladen County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 29,566 | 10,730,404 | −3,841 |
| Households | 11,824±364 | 4,282,345 | −1,812 |
| Average household size | 2.46±0.08 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,286±27 | 4,895,668 | −2,646 |
Bladen County's population since 2000
From 32,278 in 2000 to 30,007 in 2025: down 7.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Bladen County?
Bladen County holds 10 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Elizabethtown with 3,306 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Elizabethtown | 3,296 | $29,375 |
|---|---|---|
| Bladenboro | 1,648 | $52,337 |
| White Lake | 843 | $84,375 |
| Clarkton | 614 | $27,292 |
| KellyGEOID 3735440 | 446 | $52,703 |
| East ArcadiaGEOID 3719300 | 418 | $44,063 |
| White OakGEOID 3773320 | 346 | $98,929 |
| Dublin | 267 | $51,429 |
| ButtersGEOID 3709380 | 250 | not published |
| Tar HeelGEOID 3766740 | 90 | $27,014 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bladen County?
The median resident of Bladen County is 44.7 years old; 20.6% are under 18 and 23.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 53.4%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 32.1%. 3.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bladen County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.7±0.7 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.6% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.5%±0.4 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.3% | 11.3% | +1.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 53.4%±0.5 pts | 60.0% | −1.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 32.1%±0.7 pts | 20.0% | −2.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 3.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.8 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.8%±0.9 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.9%±1.2 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.1%±1.3 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 15.9%±1.7 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.2%±1.9 pts | 9.9% | −2.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.6%±1.7 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.5%±2.1 pts | 35.7% | +3.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.9%±1.4 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 Bladen County earn?
Half of Bladen County's 11,824 households earn less than $42,422 a year (±$6,049), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $44,518 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 22.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bladen County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $42,422±$6,049 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $63,070±$4,822 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,713±$1,839 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 22.0%±3.2 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 36.7%±6.4 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 26.2%±3.2 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.1%±3.0 pts | 90.1% | – |
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 Bladen County?
Owners occupy 69.2% of Bladen County's occupied homes and renters 30.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $135,100 by its owner (±$18,968). The median renter pays $773 a month including utilities, and 44.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bladen County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $135,100±$18,968 | $288,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $773±$73 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.2%±8.3 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,281±$96 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.2%±3.1 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,286±27 | 4,895,668 | −2,646 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.7%±2.6 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.9%±3.2 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 31.6%±3.1 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.8%±0.8 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.2%±1.0 pts | 4.9% | – |
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 Bladen County building?
Builders took permits for 97 new housing units across Bladen County in 2025 (97 single-family), 3.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Bladen County get to work?
79.4% of Bladen County's workers drive alone and 8.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Bladen County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.5%±2.5 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±1.9 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.4%±3.2 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.1%±2.9 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.2%±0.8 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.1%±1.8 pts | 16.3% | +5.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.3 min±2.0 | 25.1 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 are Bladen County's census tracts?
Bladen County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $28,036 (Tract 9504.01) to $69,469 (Tract 9503.02).
| Tract 9501.0137017950101 | 2,671±505 | $44,411 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9501.0237017950102 | 2,329±469 | $64,415 |
| Tract 950237017950200 | 2,601±428 | $33,452 |
| Tract 9503.0137017950301 | 2,683±546 | $35,938 |
| Tract 9503.0237017950302 | 3,109±554 | $69,469 |
| Tract 9504.0137017950401 | 3,259±218 | $28,036 |
| Tract 9504.0237017950402 | 2,317±522 | $52,743 |
| Tract 9505.0137017950501 | 2,236±417 | $62,284 |
| Tract 9505.0237017950502 | 3,472±578 | $35,435 |
| Tract 9506.0137017950601 | 2,945±433 | $35,091 |
| Tract 9506.0237017950602 | 1,944±320 | $47,543 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Bladen County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 71st of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 73rd of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 91st of 100 |
| Median household income | 97th of 100 |
| Median home value | 86th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 81st of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 9th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 67th of 100 |
| Median age | 38th of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Bladen County 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' school search.