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CITY · 2020 ACS

Nags Head

North Carolina · 3,168 residents · 6.618 sq mi
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The short version

Nags Head is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $78,235. Population has grown 17% since 2000. 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $316,300. With a median age of 54.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 38% more than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 54.2
US median: 38.8
More educated
47% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 47%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,168
+17%since 2000
from 2,700 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
479 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 408 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
54.2
+27%since 2000
from 42.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K3K3K3K1990201020202024Nags Head
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$78,235
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,095 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,462
+41%since 2000
from $30,157 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
51.6%
+21.4 ptssince 2009
from 30.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
5.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information23%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services9.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing5.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Retail trade4.1%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade3.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance1.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration0.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$316,300
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $143,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,321
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $714 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
79.1%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 73.6% in 2000
20.9% rent
Afford Score
4.0
+50%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Nags Head on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96%(2,593)
Black1.3%(36)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(39)
Asian0.4%(12)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.9%(214)
2020
White, non-Hispanic91.3%(2,891)
Black0.7%(23)
Hispanic / Latino3.7%(116)
Asian0.8%(25)
Other4.1%(131)
Diversity Score21.7%(688)
Diversity Score
22
+174%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
47.4%
+12.7 ptssince 2000
from 34.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
98.5%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 94.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
10.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 10.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.9 min
+58%since 2000
from 14.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.2%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 71.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.1%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.8%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 7.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.9%
−11.6 ptssince 2011
from 70.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.6%
−27.6 ptssince 2009
from 62.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.5%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Female
51.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.6%
−80.8 ptssince 2013
from 86.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare Nags Head to nearby cities

NAGS HEAD VS
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Income$52,141−33%
Home value$187,700−41%
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NAGS HEAD VS
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Home value$382,500+21%
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NAGS HEAD VS
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NAGS HEAD VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Nags Head, North Carolina?

Nags Head, North Carolina has about 3,168 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Nags Head, North Carolina?

The typical household in Nags Head, North Carolina earns about $78,235 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Nags Head, North Carolina expensive?

In Nags Head, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $316,300, and the typical rent is about $1,321 a month.

How educated are people in Nags Head, North Carolina?

About 47.4% of adults age 25 and over in Nags Head, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Nags Head, North Carolina?

About 5.8% of people in Nags Head, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Nags Head, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Nags Head, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,330 residents, a change of about 72 percent over that period.

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

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