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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Chowan County

North Carolina · 13,708 residents · 172.657 sq mi
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The short version

Chowan County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $44,050. Population has declined 6% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $139,500. With a median age of 49.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 49.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
13,708
−6%since 2000
from 14,526 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
79 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 84 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
49.1
+23%since 2000
from 39.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
13K14K14K15K15K1990201020202024Chowan County
202414K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,050
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,928 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,254
+81%since 2000
from $15,027 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
28.1%
+10.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
19.6%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 17.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade11.3%
US avg: 10%
Information9.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration1.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$139,500
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $76,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$773
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $429 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
70.4%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 72.2% in 2000
29.6% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+29%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chowan County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic59.9%(8,703)
Black37.3%(5,415)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(219)
Asian0.3%(50)
Other0%
Diversity Score61.5%(8,936)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic60.3%(8,268)
Black31.9%(4,376)
Hispanic / Latino3.9%(530)
Asian0.3%(39)
Other2.2%(308)
Diversity Score64.9%(8,897)
Segregation Score31.4%(4,303)
Diversity Score
65
+6%since 2000
from 62 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
31
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.7%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 16.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.9%
+10.7 ptssince 2000
from 73.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.2%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.2 min
+59%since 2000
from 19.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.8%
+15.0 ptssince 2009
from 69.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.7%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
−7.1 ptssince 2011
from 12.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
52.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2011
from 52.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.2%
−22.6 ptssince 2009
from 57.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.4%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Female
52.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Foreign born
2.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.4%
−74.6 ptssince 2013
from 84.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chowan County

Clay County
Pop 14,207
Screven County
Pop 14,408
Shoshone County
Pop 14,130
Lawrence County
Pop 13,790
Places similar to Chowan County
Head to head

Compare Chowan County to nearby counties

CHOWAN COUNTY VS
Perquimans County
Income$67,917+54%
Home value$231,700+66%
Population13,490−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHOWAN COUNTY VS
Washington County
Income$41,813−5%
Home value$125,900−10%
Population10,638−24%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHOWAN COUNTY VS
Bertie County
Income$48,750+11%
Home value$98,500−29%
Population17,086+21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHOWAN COUNTY VS
Pasquotank County
Income$66,589+51%
Home value$234,600+68%
Population42,201+200%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chowan County, North Carolina?

Chowan County, North Carolina has about 13,708 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chowan County, North Carolina?

The typical household in Chowan County, North Carolina earns about $44,050 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chowan County, North Carolina expensive?

In Chowan County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $139,500, and the typical rent is about $773 a month.

How educated are people in Chowan County, North Carolina?

About 21.7% of adults age 25 and over in Chowan County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chowan County, North Carolina?

About 19.6% of people in Chowan County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chowan County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Chowan County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 202 residents, a change of about 1 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

4 census tracts
Census Tract 9301.01Census Tract 9302.01Census Tract 9301.02Census Tract 9302.02
2 ZIP codes
ZIP 27932ZIP 27980
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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