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CITY · 2020 ACS

New Bern

North Carolina · 31,291 residents · 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 $43,406. Population has grown 35% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $160,500.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 35%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
31,291
+35%since 2000
from 23,128 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,099 / sq mi
+35%since 2000
from 812 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.8
+10%since 2000
from 38.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K20K25K30K34K1990201020202024New Bern
202433K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,406
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,139 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,483
+65%since 2000
from $18,499 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
31.8%
+11.1 ptssince 2009
from 20.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 19.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade15.1%
US avg: 10%
Information9.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade2.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.6%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$160,500
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$863
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $506 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
56.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 56.5% in 2000
43.1% rent
Afford Score
3.7
+36%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic55.2%(17,281)
Black26.5%(8,281)
Hispanic / Latino6.7%(2,102)
Asian6.5%(2,035)
Other2.2%(692)
Diversity Score74.1%(23,180)
Diversity Score
74
+13%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.7%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 23.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
85.6%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 79.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.8%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.2 min
+40%since 2000
from 13.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.5%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 78.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.6%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.7%
−8.3 ptssince 2011
from 15.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2011
from 58.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.7%
−32.0 ptssince 2009
from 65.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.5%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.3% in 2009
Female
52.5%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
Foreign born
8.0%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.7%
−72.1 ptssince 2013
from 83.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to New Bern

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Pop 33,890
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Compare New Bern to nearby cities

NEW BERN VS
Havelock
Income$58,408+35%
Home value$207,700+29%
Population17,430−50%
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NEW BERN VS
Piney Green
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Home value$227,600+42%
Population14,078−59%
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NEW BERN VS
Jacksonville
Income$57,697+33%
Home value$210,100+31%
Population72,732+109%
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NEW BERN VS
Morehead City
Income$56,233+30%
Home value$357,400+123%
Population10,434−70%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in New Bern, North Carolina?

New Bern, North Carolina has about 31,291 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in New Bern, North Carolina earns about $43,406 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 $160,500, and the typical rent is about $863 a month.

How educated are people in New Bern, North Carolina?

About 27.7% 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 18.5% 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 13,928 residents, a change of about 80 percent over that period.

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

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