Morehead City is home to 9,806 people in North Carolina. Owners hold 47% of the housing stock. At a median age of 44.2, this is an older place than the country as a whole. The population is up 27% since 2000. 4% of residents were born outside the United States. The average commute runs 18 minutes.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $56,233, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.2
US median: 38.9
Average education
36% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 94%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Morehead City
What changed most since 1990
Median home value (2024 dollars)$129,364 → $357,400(+176%)US over the same years: +67%
White share81.3% → 77.4%(−3.9 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Black share17.6% → 5.4%(−12.3 pts)US over the same years: +0.2 pts
Morehead City's population equals 14% of Carteret County's. Its number of households without a car equals 45% of the county's. Its number of residents living in poverty equals 26% 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)40.8%(296)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)44.6%(323)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era24.7%(179)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War8.1%(59)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 725 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
Morehead City, decade by decade
Morehead City 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
6,046
$48,100
$129,364
13.2%
38.5
2000
7,691
$52,349
$184,534
20.8%
40.9
2010
8,661
$54,263
$269,013
26.2%
47.1
2020
9,556
$54,302
$309,918
33.3%
46.5
2024
9,806
$56,233
$357,400
35.6%
48.1
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 Morehead City, North Carolina?
Morehead City, North Carolina has about 9,806 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Morehead City, North Carolina?
The typical household in Morehead City, North Carolina earns about $56,233 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Morehead City, North Carolina expensive?
In Morehead City, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $357,400, and the typical rent is about $1,134 a month.
How educated are people in Morehead City, North Carolina?
About 35.6% of adults age 25 and over in Morehead City, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Morehead City, North Carolina?
About 18.1% of people in Morehead City, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.
Has Morehead City, North Carolina grown since 1990?
Yes, Morehead City, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,760 residents, a change of about 62 percent over that period.
