With 2,703 people, Cape Carteret is a city in North Carolina. The population has more than doubled since 2000, adding 1,489 people. The median age is 46.3, about 7 years above the US median. Owners hold 80% of the housing stock. 3% of people here were born outside the United States. Poverty is uncommon here, at 6.1% of people here.
At a glance
Average income
median household income $86,136, 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
Unique to this place
What stands out about Cape Carteret
What changed most since 1990
Population1,002 → 2,703(+170%)US over the same years: +35%
Median age53.5 → 46.3(−7.2 years)US over the same years: +6.0 years
White share99.1% → 92.7%(−6.4 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Cape Carteret's population equals 3.9% of Carteret County's. Its number of residents living in poverty equals 2.4% of the county's. Its number of households without a car equals 2.2% of the county's.
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)27.7%(85)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)42%(129)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era48.2%(148)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War3.6%(11)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 307 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Cape Carteret, decade by decade
Cape Carteret population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
1,002
$71,047
$227,287
21.6%
2.2
2000
1,214
$81,089
$256,853
24.7%
7.1
2010
1,917
$90,610
$371,583
34.1%
14.5
2020
2,224
$94,607
$326,038
35.6%
25.2
2024
2,703
$86,136
$375,700
37.9%
17.3
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
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.
