Population 21,644 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Martin County
Household size in Martin County
| Period | Martin County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.41 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.51 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.43 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.30 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.11 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Martin County are small: just 2.30 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has dropped from 2.41 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Martin County
| Period | Martin County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.0 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.0 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.7 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.5 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.5 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 45.5, Martin 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 44.0 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the southeast, the oldest in the northwest.
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 Martin County
| Period | Martin County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.4% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.9% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 15.2% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.6% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in eight households in Martin County (11.6%), the same as the national share. The single-parent share has fallen 2.7 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Martin County
Renters in Martin County
| Period | Martin County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.0% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 29.5% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 32.0% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 33.2% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
About a third of households in Martin County rent their homes (33.2%), close to the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 48.2% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the northeast; owners are most common in the southeast. The renter share is up 3.2 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Martin County
| Period | Martin County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.1% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.5% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.5% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.6% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 13.6% of the housing in Martin County, 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.
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 Martin County
| Period | Martin County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1976 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1978 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +7 | +6 |
The typical home in Martin County was built around 1978, 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. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the northeast has the oldest housing. Of North Carolina's 100 counties, only nine 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 Martin County
| Period | Martin County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $556 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $670 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $654 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $770 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$214 | +$528 | +$606 |
The median renter in Martin County pays $770 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $214 a month since 2006–10, up 39%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 26.0% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Few North Carolina counties have lower rents: only eight of 100.
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 Martin County
Bachelor's degrees in Martin County
| Period | Martin County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.0% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.7% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.8% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.9% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.9 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Martin County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 16.9%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.9 points, as it has nationally. Martin County has a lower share of college graduates than at least four in five North Carolina counties.
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 Martin County
| Period | Martin County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 78.8% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 81.6% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 83.5% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.1% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.3 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Martin County never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.1% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 6.3 points, as it has nationally.
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 Martin County
| Period | Martin County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 16.4% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.2% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.7% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.5 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Martin County is close to the national rate: 5.7% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in North Carolina overall (4.8%). Unemployment is down 4.5 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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).
Martin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin County | 2.30 | 45.5 | 11.6% | 33.2% | 13.6% | 1978 | $770 | 16.9% | 85.1% | 5.7% |
| Washington County | 2.32 | 50.8 | 22.9% | 32.0% | 19.5% | 1975 | $772 | 13.2% | 85.4% | 15.6% |
| Edgecombe County | 2.49 | 41.1 | 18.5% | 39.2% | 17.3% | 1977 | $891 | 17.6% | 84.9% | 8.5% |
| Nash County | 2.49 | 42.5 | 13.0% | 36.4% | 11.6% | 1985 | $918 | 21.9% | 87.0% | 4.6% |
| Wilson County | 2.40 | 41.5 | 13.5% | 40.0% | 11.3% | 1986 | $988 | 21.3% | 85.0% | 5.8% |
| Tyrrell County | 1.95 | 48.2 | 10.5% | 22.2% | 30.4% | 1974 | $762 | 14.8% | 83.8% | 3.2% |
| Dare County | 2.26 | 49.4 | 7.1% | 21.6% | 37.6% | 1991 | $1,360 | 42.6% | 94.5% | 5.9% |
| Wake County | 2.62 | 38.3 | 9.1% | 35.9% | 7.7% | 1999 | $1,758 | 57.6% | 94.0% | 4.1% |
| Durham County | 2.32 | 38.2 | 11.5% | 44.5% | 8.5% | 1990 | $1,573 | 55.0% | 91.1% | 4.2% |
| Orange County | 2.49 | 38.7 | 8.2% | 36.2% | 10.3% | 1991 | $1,507 | 62.6% | 93.5% | 3.4% |
| Chatham County | 2.48 | 47.2 | 7.5% | 19.4% | 8.3% | 1997 | $1,436 | 49.9% | 91.0% | 3.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Orange County, VT · Montague County, TX · Murray County, OK · Nantucket County, MA · Nelson County, VA · Noble County, OH · Nolan County, TX · Northampton County, NC · Northampton County, VA · Nottoway County, VA
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 Martin 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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