Population 16,931 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Northampton County
Household size in Northampton County
| Period | Northampton County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.59 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.39 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.24 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.11 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.47 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Northampton County are small: just 2.11 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 2.59 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Few North Carolina counties have smaller households: only three of 100.
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 Northampton County
| Period | Northampton County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.0 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.3 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 50.2 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 50.3 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.3 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 50.3, Northampton 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 45.0 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Few North Carolina counties are older: only seven of 100.
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 Northampton County
| Period | Northampton County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.0% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.0% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 15.7% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.8% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in Northampton County (13.8%), above the national share of 11.6%. Compared with other North Carolina counties, Northampton County has a higher share of single-parent households than most.
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 Northampton County
Renters in Northampton County
| Period | Northampton County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.2% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 28.8% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 31.6% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 25.4% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Northampton County own their homes; 25.4% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 55.6% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%.
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 Northampton County
| Period | Northampton County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.3% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.1% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 23.4% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.1% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Northampton County: 21.1% 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 has fallen 3.2 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Northampton County
| Period | Northampton County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1976 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1979 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +7 | +6 |
The typical home in Northampton County was built around 1979, 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 median year built has moved up from 1973 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the southeast has the oldest housing.
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 Northampton County
| Period | Northampton County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $517 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $629 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $742 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $731 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$214 | +$528 | +$606 |
The median renter in Northampton County pays $731 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $214 a month from 2006–10, a 42% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.8% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Of North Carolina's 100 counties, only five have lower rents.
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 Northampton County
Bachelor's degrees in Northampton County
| Period | Northampton County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.3% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.0% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.3% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.3% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.0 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Northampton County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 18.3%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 6.0 points from 2006–10, 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 Northampton County
| Period | Northampton County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 69.6% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 74.8% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.1% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.1% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +15.5 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Northampton County never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.1% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma is up 15.5 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than 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 Northampton County
| Period | Northampton County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.7% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 17.3% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.4 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Northampton County runs well above the national rate: 8.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Few North Carolina counties have higher unemployment: only seven of 100. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.4 points, in line with the national trend.
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).
Northampton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northampton County | 2.11 | 50.3 | 13.8% | 25.4% | 21.1% | 1979 | $731 | 18.3% | 85.1% | 8.2% |
| Halifax County | 2.32 | 43.7 | 16.0% | 37.1% | 16.8% | 1977 | $829 | 17.6% | 82.9% | 8.9% |
| Hertford County | 2.23 | 42.4 | 12.8% | 32.6% | 14.6% | 1977 | $873 | 18.1% | 84.7% | 6.4% |
| Warren County | 2.27 | 48.6 | 12.5% | 30.6% | 27.2% | 1987 | $888 | 18.2% | 83.5% | 6.7% |
| Gates County | 2.53 | 46.9 | 7.1% | 19.1% | 13.0% | 1989 | $1,195 | 10.7% | 90.1% | 5.1% |
| Vance County | 2.66 | 39.3 | 19.2% | 39.9% | 15.9% | 1982 | $923 | 17.0% | 86.0% | 8.6% |
| Camden County | 2.72 | 40.4 | 9.9% | 17.9% | 6.6% | 1999 | $1,344 | 28.8% | 93.1% | 5.4% |
| Currituck County | 2.63 | 42.9 | 8.3% | 12.7% | 12.3% | 1999 | $1,413 | 30.7% | 93.4% | 2.8% |
| Person County | 2.49 | 43.3 | 12.5% | 22.7% | 12.4% | 1983 | $982 | 19.0% | 88.8% | 5.6% |
| Caswell County | 2.42 | 45.9 | 12.2% | 24.8% | 15.2% | 1982 | $719 | 18.3% | 84.6% | 5.1% |
| Danville City | 2.18 | 40.8 | 16.1% | 52.2% | 14.2% | 1962 | $861 | 19.3% | 86.8% | 5.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Benton County, MO · Wilcox County, GA · Wilkes County, GA · Wilkinson County, GA · Wilkinson County, MS · Williamsburg City, VA · Winkler County, TX · Bollinger County, MO · Boise County, ID · Blaine County, ID
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 Northampton 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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