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CITY

Williamston

North Carolina · 5,086 residents (2025 est.) · 4.511 sq mi
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The short version

Williamston has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $38,738. Population has declined 13% since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $107,100. With a median age of 45.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 46% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 45.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 7%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,112
−13%since 2000
from 5,843 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,133 / sq mi
−13%since 2000
from 1,295 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
45.4
+16%since 2000
from 39.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:5,086 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K6K6K1990201020202024Williamston
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,738
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,925 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,376
+73%since 2000
from $14,125 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
26.4%
+18.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
36.3%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 29.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.444
−2%since 2010
from 0.452 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade17%
US avg: 9.9%
Information8.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$107,100
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$684
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $402 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
50.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 51.9% in 2000
49.5% rent
Vacancy rate
15.8%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
34.5%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 30.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.8%
−16.7 ptssince 2009
from 62.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.8
Unchangedsince 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
31
RELATED:See current rent listings in Williamston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic39.8%(2,324)
Black57.3%(3,347)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(87)
Asian0.5%(27)
Other0%
Diversity Score63%(3,678)
2024
White, non-Hispanic35.9%(1,837)
Black50.2%(2,566)
Hispanic / Latino6.8%(350)
Asian2.2%(111)
Other4.9%(248)
Diversity Score76.4%(3,907)
Diversity Score
76
+21%since 2000
from 63 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
78.2%
+8.6 ptssince 2000
from 69.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.6%
−1.0 ptssince 2000
from 5.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.1 min
+27%since 2000
from 15.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
65.4%
−15.8 ptssince 2009
from 81.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
15.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.7%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
9.1%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
17.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.8%
−5.7 ptssince 2011
from 15.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
61.4%
+13.4 ptssince 2011
from 48.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.3%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 20.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
34.0%
−32.5 ptssince 2009
from 66.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
42.9%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 41.6% in 2009
Female
57.1%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 58.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.7%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.8%
−27.2 ptssince 2009
from 39.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2012
from 19.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.8%
−75.4 ptssince 2013
from 85.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.3%
+22.7 ptssince 2017
from 61.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
91.4%
−6.3 ptssince 2016
from 97.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
7.2%
+4.9 ptssince 2016
from 2.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Williamston to nearby cities

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Income$40,186+4%
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SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WILLIAMSTON VS
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Home value$233,500+118%
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WILLIAMSTON VS
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Income$49,796+29%
Home value$185,500+73%
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WILLIAMSTON VS
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Home value$245,100+129%
Population10,973+116%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Williamston, North Carolina?

Williamston, North Carolina has about 5,112 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Williamston, North Carolina?

The typical household in Williamston, North Carolina earns about $38,738 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Williamston, North Carolina expensive?

In Williamston, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $107,100, and the typical rent is about $684 a month.

How educated are people in Williamston, North Carolina?

About 14.3% of adults age 25 and over in Williamston, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Williamston, North Carolina?

About 36.3% of people in Williamston, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Williamston, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Williamston, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 391 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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

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