County · North Carolina
Carteret County, North Carolina
Carteret County, North Carolina. Carteret County had 70,469 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.1% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 18 places (11 cities, villages and boroughs and 7 census-designated) and 33 census tracts. GEOID 37031.
Carteret County is the county of the Morehead City, NC micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
70,469
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 67,686 · ACS 2020-2024: 69,148
Median household income
$72,322
±$2,766 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$333,300
±$9,275 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,108
±$48 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Carteret County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 67,686 residents in Carteret County. The Census Bureau estimates 70,469 for July 1, 2025, up 4.1% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 69,148 over 508 square miles of land.
| Measure | Carteret County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 69,148 | 10,730,404 | +78 |
| Households | 31,977±549 | 4,282,345 | +2,222 |
| Average household size | 2.13±0.04 | 2.44 | −0.15 |
| Housing units | 52,181±62 | 4,895,668 | +1,962 |
Carteret County's population since 2000
From 59,383 in 2000 to 70,469 in 2025: up 18.7%. 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 Carteret County?
Carteret County holds 18 places: 11 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 7 census-designated places. The largest is Morehead City with 10,434 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Morehead City | 9,556 | $56,233 |
|---|---|---|
| Beaufort | 4,464 | $53,321 |
| Newport | 4,364 | $56,351 |
| Emerald Isle | 3,847 | $89,773 |
| Cape Carteret | 2,224 | $86,136 |
| Broad Creek | 1,968 | $57,500 |
| Cedar Point | 1,764 | $98,750 |
| Pine Knoll Shores | 1,388 | $109,375 |
| Atlantic Beach | 1,364 | $70,402 |
| Brandywine Bay | 1,153 | $105,000 |
| Harkers Island | 1,127 | $60,000 |
| Peletier | 769 | $55,893 |
| Bogue | 695 | $93,516 |
| GloucesterGEOID 3726680 | 495 | $64,667 |
| AtlanticGEOID 3702480 | 468 | $51,071 |
| MarshallbergGEOID 3741600 | 341 | $88,438 |
| DavisGEOID 3716480 | 311 | $74,219 |
| Indian BeachGEOID 3733460 | 223 | $103,000 |
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 Carteret County?
The median resident of Carteret County is 50.5 years old; 16.8% are under 18 and 27.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.9%. 2.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Carteret County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.5±0.2 | 39.1 | +1.9 |
| Under 18 years | 16.8%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 27.0%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.9% | 11.3% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.3%±0.4 pts | 60.0% | −1.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.1%±0.4 pts | 20.0% | −1.2 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.2 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.1%±0.5 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.9%±0.4 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.4%±0.6 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.0%±0.8 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 17.5%±0.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.1%±1.0 pts | 9.9% | −2.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.7%±0.8 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.5%±1.4 pts | 35.7% | +5.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.9%±1.0 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6%±0.6 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 Carteret County earn?
Half of Carteret County's 31,977 households earn less than $72,322 a year (±$2,766), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $70,388 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Carteret County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,322±$2,766 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $99,351±$3,580 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,736±$1,645 | $41,385 | +$4,235 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.1%±1.1 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.5%±2.9 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.0%±1.1 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.4%±1.0 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 Carteret County?
Owners occupy 74.7% of Carteret County's occupied homes and renters 25.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $333,300 by its owner (±$9,275). The median renter pays $1,108 a month including utilities, and 51.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Carteret County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $333,300±$9,275 | $288,900 | +$69,808 |
| Median gross rent | $1,108±$48 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 51.5%±5.1 pts | 39.6% | +15.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,779±$42 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.7%±1.6 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 52,181±62 | 4,895,668 | +1,962 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2%±0.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.1%±1.3 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 60.7%±1.4 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 16.5%±1.1 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.0%±0.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.2%±0.8 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 Carteret County building?
Builders took permits for 471 new housing units across Carteret County in 2025 (468 single-family), 6.7 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 Carteret County get to work?
78.3% of Carteret County's workers drive alone and 12.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.0%.
| Measure | Carteret County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.0%±1.1 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0%±0.8 pts | 4.7% | −1.7 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.3%±1.7 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.4%±1.0 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.6%±1.3 pts | 16.3% | +7.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.2 min±1.0 | 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 Carteret County's census tracts?
Carteret County is divided into 33 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $39,329 (Tract 9704.01) to $143,125 (Tract 9706.02).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Carteret County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 39th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 45th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 46th of 100 |
| Median household income | 21st of 100 |
| Median home value | 18th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 29th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 86th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19th of 100 |
| Median age | 10th 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 Carteret 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.