County · North Carolina
Pamlico County, North Carolina
Pamlico County, North Carolina. Pamlico County had 12,758 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.0% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 10 places (9 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 37137.
Pamlico 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
12,758
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 12,276 · ACS 2020-2024: 12,390
Median household income
$59,717
±$4,799 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$216,800
±$18,061 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$752
±$113 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Pamlico County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 12,276 residents in Pamlico County. The Census Bureau estimates 12,758 for July 1, 2025, up 4.0% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 12,390 over 337 square miles of land.
| Measure | Pamlico County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 12,390 | 10,730,404 | −311 |
| Households | 5,456±231 | 4,282,345 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.12±0.09 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,322±44 | 4,895,668 | −412 |
Pamlico County's population since 2000
From 12,934 in 2000 to 12,758 in 2025: down 1.4%. 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 Pamlico County?
Pamlico County holds 10 places: 9 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Bayboro with 1,242 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Bayboro | 1,161 | $33,636 |
|---|---|---|
| Oriental | 880 | $57,880 |
| Alliance | 733 | $50,341 |
| Grantsboro | 692 | $54,583 |
| Minnesott Beach | 530 | $73,690 |
| ArapahoeGEOID 3701640 | 416 | not published |
| VandemereGEOID 3769720 | 246 | $35,833 |
| StonewallGEOID 3765120 | 214 | $50,000 |
| MesicGEOID 3742480 | 144 | $47,750 |
| HobuckenGEOID 3731880 | 99 | not published |
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 Pamlico County?
The median resident of Pamlico County is 54.1 years old; 14.2% are under 18 and 30.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 73.4%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 16.1%. 2.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Pamlico County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 54.1±0.5 | 39.1 | +1.7 |
| Under 18 years | 14.2%±0.2 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 30.6%±0.4 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.8% | 11.3% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 73.4%±0.4 pts | 60.0% | −0.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 16.1%±1.4 pts | 20.0% | −2.2 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±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%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.6%±1.4 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.9%±0.8 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.9%±0.8 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.7%±1.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 21.2%±2.8 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.4%±2.0 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.1%±1.7 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.4%±3.1 pts | 35.7% | +6.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.6%±2.6 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.0%±1.2 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 Pamlico County earn?
Half of Pamlico County's 5,456 households earn less than $59,717 a year (±$4,799), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $57,508 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Pamlico County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,717±$4,799 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $78,618±$4,689 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,815±$1,917 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.2%±2.8 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.5%±6.8 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.8%±2.2 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.4%±2.6 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 Pamlico County?
Owners occupy 82.9% of Pamlico County's occupied homes and renters 17.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $216,800 by its owner (±$18,061). The median renter pays $752 a month including utilities, and 40.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Pamlico County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $216,800±$18,061 | $288,900 | +$24,812 |
| Median gross rent | $752±$113 | $1,228 | −$192 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.9%±10.7 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,471±$82 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.9%±3.0 pts | 66.6% | +5.2 pts |
| Housing units | 7,322±44 | 4,895,668 | −412 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.9%±1.2 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.6%±1.0 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.1%±3.3 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 25.0%±3.1 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.2%±0.8 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.7%±1.4 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 Pamlico County building?
Builders took permits for 97 new housing units across Pamlico County in 2025 (97 single-family), 7.6 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 Pamlico County get to work?
80.7% of Pamlico County's workers drive alone and 11.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.1%.
| Measure | Pamlico County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 43.0%±2.3 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1%±1.7 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.7%±3.3 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.9%±1.7 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.1%±0.9 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.1%±2.8 pts | 16.3% | +5.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.5 min±2.7 | 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 Pamlico County's census tracts?
Pamlico County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $40,568 (Tract 9501.03) to $83,261 (Tract 9501.01).
| Tract 9501.0137137950101 | 2,877±314 | $83,261 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9501.0337137950103 | 2,437±228 | $40,568 |
| Tract 9501.0437137950104 | 1,283±305 | $36,528 |
| Tract 9502.0237137950202 | 2,128±292 | $61,136 |
| Tract 9502.0337137950203 | 1,813±281 | $58,523 |
| Tract 9502.0437137950204 | 1,852±192 | $74,524 |
| Tract 990137137990100 | 0±14 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Pamlico County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 91st of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 48th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 90th of 100 |
| Median household income | 53rd of 100 |
| Median home value | 53rd of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 89th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 45th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 42nd of 100 |
| Median age | 4th 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 Pamlico 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.