Population 13,836 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Chowan County
Household size in Chowan County
| Period | Chowan County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.48 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.42 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.30 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.26 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.22 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Chowan County is a place of small households, averaging 2.26 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.48 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Chowan County has smaller households than at least four in five North Carolina counties.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Chowan County
| Period | Chowan County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.9 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.8 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.9 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 48.0 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.1 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 48.0, Chowan County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 42.9 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the northwest, the oldest in the south.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Chowan County
| Period | Chowan County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.7% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.8% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 13.5% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.2% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in seven households in Chowan County (15.2%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged up 0.5 points, even as the national share fell. Chowan County has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five North Carolina counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Chowan County
Renters in Chowan County
| Period | Chowan County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.6% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 33.2% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 33.3% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 29.5% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
About three in ten households in Chowan County rent their homes (29.5%), a little below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. About four in ten owners (39.8%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. The renter share has fallen 2.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Chowan County
| Period | Chowan County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.7% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.8% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.4% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.7% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.9 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Chowan County: 13.7% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 4.9 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Chowan County
| Period | Chowan County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1974 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1977 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1979 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +7 | +6 |
The typical home in Chowan County was built around 1977, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are older than in North Carolina overall, where the median home dates to 1990. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the south. Only seven of North Carolina's 100 counties have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Chowan County
| Period | Chowan County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $728 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $785 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $873 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $783 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$55 | +$528 | +$606 |
Rent in Chowan County runs $783 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $55 a month from 2006–10, an 8% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 31.0% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the south; the highest are in the west.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Chowan County
Bachelor's degrees in Chowan County
| Period | Chowan County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.9% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.7% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.6% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.9% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.0 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Chowan County: 24.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.0 points, in line with the national trend.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Chowan County
| Period | Chowan County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 78.1% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.1% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.8% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.3% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.2 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Chowan County is the same as the national rate: 89.3% of adults have a diploma or equivalent. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 11.2 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Chowan County
| Period | Chowan County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.7% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 13.8% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.0% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.5% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.2 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Chowan County than nationally: unemployment was 3.5%, against 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 6.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Chowan County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chowan County | 2.26 | 48.0 | 15.2% | 29.5% | 13.7% | 1977 | $783 | 24.9% | 89.3% | 3.5% |
| Perquimans County | 2.39 | 49.2 | 10.8% | 23.5% | 19.2% | 1989 | $993 | 20.9% | 87.6% | 3.1% |
| Bertie County | 2.26 | 47.7 | 10.5% | 27.3% | 22.0% | 1980 | $815 | 18.3% | 81.1% | 7.7% |
| Pasquotank County | 2.53 | 40.6 | 14.3% | 32.5% | 11.7% | 1986 | $1,332 | 28.8% | 89.9% | 5.4% |
| Franklin County | 2.57 | 41.9 | 10.9% | 21.4% | 8.7% | 1997 | $1,106 | 27.8% | 89.2% | 4.8% |
| Granville County | 2.58 | 41.5 | 13.9% | 22.9% | 12.7% | 1991 | $1,074 | 25.1% | 88.1% | 5.0% |
| Alamance County | 2.51 | 39.6 | 12.2% | 35.0% | 9.7% | 1986 | $1,093 | 28.6% | 88.2% | 5.2% |
| Guilford County | 2.44 | 38.6 | 12.8% | 40.1% | 10.2% | 1984 | $1,268 | 38.9% | 90.7% | 4.7% |
| Forsyth County | 2.43 | 39.7 | 12.8% | 36.4% | 9.7% | 1985 | $1,234 | 38.6% | 89.9% | 5.3% |
| Yadkin County | 2.51 | 44.8 | 9.4% | 23.1% | 13.6% | 1983 | $844 | 17.9% | 86.5% | 5.0% |
| Wilkes County | 2.43 | 45.7 | 12.5% | 26.5% | 15.0% | 1979 | $728 | 16.7% | 81.6% | 5.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Bayfield County, WI · Walthall County, MS · Wahkiakum County, WA · Valley County, ID · Crawford County, MO · Burt County, NE · Buena Vista City, VA · Bristol City, VA · Breckinridge County, KY · Bottineau County, ND
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Chowan County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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