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CITY

New Bern

North Carolina · 34,724 residents (2025 est.) · 28.471 sq mi
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The short version

New Bern has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $61,031. Population has grown 42% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $240,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 66%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
32,734
+42%since 2000
from 23,128 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,150 / sq mi
+42%since 2000
from 812 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.9
Unchangedsince 2000
from 38.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:34,724 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
16K20K25K30K34K1990201020202024New Bern
202433K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$61,031
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,139 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,196
+106%since 2000
from $18,499 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.3%
+21.5 ptssince 2009
from 20.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.3%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 19.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.463
−6%since 2010
from 0.492 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade12.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services5.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade4.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$240,100
+66%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,081
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $506 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
59.7%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 56.5% in 2000
40.3% rent
Vacancy rate
12.7%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.8%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 32.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.4%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.9
+45%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
56
RELATED:See current rent listings in New Bern on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic54.8%(12,685)
Black40%(9,260)
Hispanic / Latino3%(692)
Asian0.6%(145)
Other0%
Diversity Score65.5%(15,143)
2024
White, non-Hispanic50.7%(16,588)
Black29.3%(9,589)
Hispanic / Latino7%(2,285)
Asian5.9%(1,934)
Other7.1%(2,338)
Diversity Score80.5%(26,348)
Diversity Score
80
+23%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.4%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 23.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.8%
+13.3 ptssince 2000
from 79.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.8%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.8 min
+37%since 2000
from 13.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 78.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.5%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.8%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.6%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.1%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
12.1%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.6%
−10.4 ptssince 2011
from 15.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2011
from 58.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
39.8%
−25.9 ptssince 2009
from 65.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 45.3% in 2009
Female
54.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
Foreign born
5.8%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
14.2%
−28.9 ptssince 2009
from 43.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.9%
−1.7 ptssince 2012
from 17.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.0%
−76.8 ptssince 2013
from 83.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.9%
+11.2 ptssince 2017
from 74.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
88.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2016
from 88.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2016
from 4.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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NEW BERN VS
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NEW BERN VS
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NEW BERN VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in New Bern, North Carolina?

New Bern, North Carolina has about 32,734 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in New Bern, North Carolina?

The typical household in New Bern, North Carolina earns about $61,031 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is New Bern, North Carolina expensive?

In New Bern, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $240,100, and the typical rent is about $1,081 a month.

How educated are people in New Bern, North Carolina?

About 29.4% of adults age 25 and over in New Bern, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in New Bern, North Carolina?

About 17.3% of people in New Bern, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has New Bern, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, New Bern, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 15,371 residents, a change of about 89 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →