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CITY

Cape Carteret

North Carolina · 2,273 residents (2025 est.) · 2.524 sq mi
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The short version

Cape Carteret has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $86,136. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 1,489 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $375,700. With a median age of 46.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Poverty is rare here, at 6.1% of residents.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 46.3
US median: 38.9
Average education
38% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 46%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,703
+123%since 2000
from 1,214 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,071 / sq mi
+123%since 2000
from 481 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
46.3
−15%since 2000
from 54.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,273 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
8301K2K2K3K1990201020202024Cape Carteret
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$86,136
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,514 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$43,518
+62%since 2000
from $26,806 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
52.7%
+9.7 ptssince 2009
from 43.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 5.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.399
+3%since 2010
from 0.386 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance10.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Information9.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Education & health services8.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services8.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade3.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing2.3%
US avg: 0.4%
Professional, scientific, technical2.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade1.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$375,700
+46%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $141,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,745
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $764 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
79.6%
−8.7 ptssince 2000
from 88.3% in 2000
20.4% rent
Vacancy rate
12.7%
−12.6 ptssince 2009
from 25.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.5%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 20.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
79.5%
+58.2 ptssince 2009
from 21.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.4
+38%since 2000
from 3.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
37
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cape Carteret on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.1%(1,179)
Black0.2%(2)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(17)
Asian0.6%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.3%(64)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92.7%(2,505)
Black0.3%(8)
Hispanic / Latino4.4%(119)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.6%(71)
Diversity Score17.3%(468)
Diversity Score
17
+226%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
37.9%
+13.1 ptssince 2000
from 24.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.0%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 89.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
18.1%
+11.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.1 min
+44%since 2000
from 17.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
86.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 85.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.4%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.3%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.3%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 4.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.9%
+4.3 ptssince 2011
from 55.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.5%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
45.6%
−23.5 ptssince 2009
from 69.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.1%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Female
53.9%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Foreign born
2.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
14.5%
−31.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2012
from 16.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.8%
−87.7 ptssince 2013
from 91.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
95.1%
+7.6 ptssince 2017
from 87.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2016
from 94.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.2%
−1.1 ptssince 2016
from 4.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Cape Carteret to nearby cities

CAPE CARTERET VS
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CAPE CARTERET VS
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CAPE CARTERET VS
Morehead City
Income$56,233−35%
Home value$357,400−5%
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CAPE CARTERET VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Cape Carteret, North Carolina?

Cape Carteret, North Carolina has about 2,703 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cape Carteret, North Carolina?

The typical household in Cape Carteret, North Carolina earns about $86,136 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cape Carteret, North Carolina expensive?

In Cape Carteret, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $375,700, and the typical rent is about $1,745 a month.

How educated are people in Cape Carteret, North Carolina?

About 37.9% of adults age 25 and over in Cape Carteret, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cape Carteret, North Carolina?

About 6.1% of people in Cape Carteret, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cape Carteret, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Cape Carteret, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,701 residents, a change of about 170 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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