County · North Carolina
Craven County, North Carolina
Craven County, North Carolina. Craven County had 105,025 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.3% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 13 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 5 census-designated) and 26 census tracts. GEOID 37049.
Craven County is one of the 3 counties of the New Bern, NC micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
105,025
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 100,720 · ACS 2020-2024: 102,612
Median household income
$65,873
±$3,115 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$231,600
±$6,974 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,110
±$39 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Craven County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 100,720 residents in Craven County. The Census Bureau estimates 105,025 for July 1, 2025, up 4.3% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 102,612 over 707 square miles of land.
| Measure | Craven County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 102,612 | 10,730,404 | +121 |
| Households | 42,871±587 | 4,282,345 | +1,645 |
| Average household size | 2.29±0.03 | 2.44 | −0.07 |
| Housing units | 48,533±152 | 4,895,668 | +1,387 |
Craven County's population since 2000
From 91,436 in 2000 to 105,025 in 2025: up 14.9%. 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 Craven County?
Craven County holds 13 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is New Bern with 34,724 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| New Bern | 31,291 | $61,031 |
|---|---|---|
| Havelock | 16,621 | $58,408 |
| James City | 5,291 | $58,973 |
| Trent Woods | 4,074 | $107,802 |
| Brices Creek | 3,542 | $85,723 |
| River Bend | 2,902 | $71,824 |
| Fairfield Harbour | 2,767 | $72,583 |
| Neuse ForestGEOID 3746280 | 2,110 | $84,500 |
| Cherry BranchGEOID 3712186 | 1,211 | $104,432 |
| Vanceboro | 869 | $34,514 |
| Cove City | 378 | $41,522 |
| Bridgeton | 349 | $38,929 |
| Dover | 349 | $37,250 |
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 Craven County?
The median resident of Craven County is 38.8 years old; 21.3% are under 18 and 20.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 64.5%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 19.5%. 4.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Craven County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.8±0.4 | 39.1 | +1.8 |
| Under 18 years | 21.3%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.9%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.8% | 11.3% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 64.5%±0.6 pts | 60.0% | −1.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 19.5%±0.5 pts | 20.0% | −1.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.9%±0.3 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 | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9%±0.6 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.1%±0.5 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.0%±0.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 14.5%±1.2 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 16.0%±0.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.8%±1.0 pts | 9.9% | −2.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.3%±0.9 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.5%±1.4 pts | 35.7% | +2.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.7%±0.9 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.7%±0.8 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 Craven County earn?
Half of Craven County's 42,871 households earn less than $65,873 a year (±$3,115), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $64,842 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Craven County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,873±$3,115 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $85,440±$2,899 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,931±$1,160 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.7%±1.4 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.6%±2.9 pts | 17.7% | −6.5 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.0%±1.3 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.6%±1.6 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 Craven County?
Owners occupy 68.4% of Craven County's occupied homes and renters 31.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $231,600 by its owner (±$6,974). The median renter pays $1,110 a month including utilities, and 37.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Craven County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $231,600±$6,974 | $288,900 | +$37,273 |
| Median gross rent | $1,110±$39 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.1%±4.5 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,454±$40 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.4%±1.8 pts | 66.6% | +5.5 pts |
| Housing units | 48,533±152 | 4,895,668 | +1,387 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2%±0.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.4%±2.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.9%±1.7 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.6%±1.4 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.9%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.7%±0.7 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 Craven County building?
Builders took permits for 553 new housing units across Craven County in 2025 (553 single-family), 5.3 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 Craven County get to work?
77.8% of Craven County's workers drive alone and 7.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.2%.
| Measure | Craven County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.7%±1.2 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2%±0.9 pts | 4.7% | −2.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 77.8%±1.7 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.0%±1.5 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 2.0%±0.7 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.5%±1.1 pts | 16.3% | +3.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.7 min±0.8 | 25.1 min | +1.2 min |
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 Craven County's census tracts?
Craven County is divided into 26 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $35,422 (Tract 9608) to $107,802 (Tract 9604.03).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Craven County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 28th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 42nd of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 40th of 100 |
| Median household income | 35th of 100 |
| Median home value | 49th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 28th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 55th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35th of 100 |
| Median age | 82nd 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 Craven 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.