COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

New Hanover County

North Carolina · 160,307 residents · 192.255 sq mi

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The short version

New Hanover County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $40,172. Population has grown 33% since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $127,900.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $42,589

Mid-age

median age 36.3

US median: 35.2

More educated

31% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 24%

Less affordable

home values up 36%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $120,530

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

160,307

+33%since 1990

from 120,284 in 1990

1990 – 2025

Population density

834 / sq mi

+33%since 1990

from 626 / sq mi in 1990

US average: 242

Median age

36.3

+7%since 1990

from 33.9 in 1990

US average: 35.2

Population, 1990 – 2024

2024235K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$40,172

+12%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $27,320 in 1990

US average: $42,589

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$23,123

+67%since 1990

from $13,863 in 1990

US average: $21,522

Poverty rate

13.1%

−1.0 ptssince 1990

from 14.0% in 1990

US average: 12.4%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$127,900

+36%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $71,400 in 1990

US average: $120,530

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$631

+15%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $417 in 1990

US average: $602

Owner-occupied

64.7%

+2.0 ptssince 1990

from 62.7% in 1990

35.3% rent

Afford Score

3.2

+22%since 1990

from 2.6 in 1990

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in New Hanover County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990

White, non-Hispanic79%(95,020)

Black20%(24,038)

Hispanic / Latino0.6%(747)

Asian0.5%(593)

Diversity Score43%(51,737)

2000

White, non-Hispanic78.9%(126,453)

Black16.8%(27,001)

Hispanic / Latino2%(3,276)

Asian0.8%(1,325)

Diversity Score41.3%(66,172)

Diversity Score

−4%since 1990

from 43 in 1990

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

31.0%

+9.8 ptssince 1990

from 21.2% in 1990

US average: 24.4%

High school or higher

86.3%

+8.2 ptssince 1990

from 78.1% in 1990

US average: 80.3%

Graduate degree

8.7%

+2.8 ptssince 1990

from 5.9% in 1990

US average: 8.8%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

12.9 min

−25%since 1990

from 17.2 min in 1990

US average: 17.6

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to New Hanover County

Head to head

Compare New Hanover County to nearby counties

NEW HANOVER COUNTY VS

Pender County

Income$80,396+100%

Home value$299,000+134%

Population72,111−71%

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NEW HANOVER COUNTY VS

Brunswick County

Income$77,024+92%

Home value$349,800+173%

Population174,702−29%

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NEW HANOVER COUNTY VS

Columbus County

Income$49,442+23%

Home value$146,000+14%

Population50,487−79%

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NEW HANOVER COUNTY VS

Onslow County

Income$68,148+70%

Home value$236,400+85%

Population217,175−12%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in New Hanover County, North Carolina?

New Hanover County, North Carolina has about 160,307 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in New Hanover County, North Carolina earns about $40,172 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is New Hanover County, North Carolina expensive?

In New Hanover County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $127,900, and the typical rent is about $631 a month.

How educated are people in New Hanover County, North Carolina?

About 31.0% of adults age 25 and over in New Hanover County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in New Hanover County, North Carolina?

About 13.1% of people in New Hanover County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has New Hanover County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, New Hanover County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 40,023 residents, a change of about 33 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 →