County · North Carolina
Vance County, North Carolina
Vance County, North Carolina. Vance County had 42,638 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.1% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 4 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 12 census tracts. GEOID 37181.
Vance County is the county of the Henderson, NC micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
42,638
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 42,578 · ACS 2020-2024: 42,322
Median household income
$50,465
±$4,966 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$161,500
±$11,509 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$883
±$42 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Vance County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 42,578 residents in Vance County. The Census Bureau estimates 42,638 for July 1, 2025, up 0.1% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 42,322 over 252 square miles of land.
| Measure | Vance County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 42,322 | 10,730,404 | −2,157 |
| Households | 16,147±422 | 4,282,345 | −728 |
| Average household size | 2.58±0.07 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 19,489±33 | 4,895,668 | −650 |
Vance County's population since 2000
From 42,954 in 2000 to 42,638 in 2025: down 0.7%. 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 Vance County?
Vance County holds 4 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Henderson with 15,013 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Henderson | 15,060 | $39,969 |
|---|---|---|
| South Henderson | 988 | $28,558 |
| KittrellGEOID 3736020 | 132 | $61,250 |
| MiddleburgGEOID 3742640 | 101 | 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 Vance County?
The median resident of Vance County is 39.9 years old; 24.0% are under 18 and 19.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 47.3%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 37.2%. 5.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Vance County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.9±0.5 | 39.1 | −1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 24.0% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.3%±0.2 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.5% | 11.3% | +1.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 37.2%±0.2 pts | 60.0% | −2.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 47.3%±1.4 pts | 20.0% | −2.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±1.1 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 | 4.2%±1.3 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.7%±0.9 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.1%±1.5 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.7%±1.2 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 18.7%±1.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.2%±1.8 pts | 9.9% | +2.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.2%±2.1 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.2%±2.0 pts | 35.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.8%±0.9 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±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 Vance County earn?
Half of Vance County's 16,147 households earn less than $50,465 a year (±$4,966), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $49,879 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Vance County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $50,465±$4,966 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $68,426±$4,164 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,551±$1,404 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.8%±2.7 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 28.9%±6.1 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 24.3%±3.2 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.3%±2.7 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 Vance County?
Owners occupy 60.1% of Vance County's occupied homes and renters 39.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $161,500 by its owner (±$11,509). The median renter pays $883 a month including utilities, and 46.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Vance County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $161,500±$11,509 | $288,900 | +$36,708 |
| Median gross rent | $883±$42 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.5%±6.1 pts | 39.6% | +10.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,308±$93 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.1%±3.0 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 19,489±33 | 4,895,668 | −650 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.7 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.7%±1.3 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.5%±3.0 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 25.4%±2.7 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.3%±1.7 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 Vance County building?
Builders took permits for 115 new housing units across Vance County in 2025 (115 single-family), 2.7 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 Vance County get to work?
77.8% of Vance County's workers drive alone and 8.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.2%.
| Measure | Vance County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.5%±2.1 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.2%±1.6 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.8%±2.8 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.2%±2.0 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.3%±1.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.8%±2.1 pts | 16.3% | +4.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.9 min±1.6 | 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 Vance County's census tracts?
Vance County is divided into 12 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $29,561 (Tract 9609.03) to $80,893 (Tract 9602).
| Tract 960137181960100 | 3,802±420 | $52,214 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960237181960200 | 4,205±768 | $80,893 |
| Tract 960337181960300 | 4,324±598 | $53,702 |
| Tract 960437181960400 | 3,928±621 | $52,435 |
| Tract 960537181960500 | 4,355±471 | $40,000 |
| Tract 960637181960600 | 1,120±247 | $36,786 |
| Tract 960737181960700 | 4,108±660 | $40,066 |
| Tract 960837181960800 | 1,957±443 | $37,553 |
| Tract 9609.0137181960901 | 3,103±584 | $50,962 |
| Tract 9609.0237181960902 | 1,793±322 | $58,081 |
| Tract 9609.0337181960903 | 3,712±657 | $29,561 |
| Tract 961037181961000 | 5,915±647 | $69,917 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Vance County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 61st of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 85th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 34th of 100 |
| Median household income | 84th of 100 |
| Median home value | 80th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 52nd of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 19th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 82nd of 100 |
| Median age | 73rd 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 Vance 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.