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MICROPOLITAN AREA · 2020 ACS

New Bern Micro

New Bern, NC · 3 counties · 122,168 residents · 1,514.456 sq mi
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The short version

New Bern has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $52,186. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $156,060.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 25%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
122,168
+6%since 2000
from 114,751 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
81 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 76 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.0
+20%since 2000
from 35.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
100K107K115K123K130K1990201020202024New Bern
2024124K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,186
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,294 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,217
+61%since 2000
from $18,149 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
33.8%
+9.0 ptssince 2009
from 24.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
15.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 13.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade11.5%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction2.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing1.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$156,060
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $82,988 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$873
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $488 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
69.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 69.7% in 2000
30.6% rent
Afford Score
3.0
+27%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in New Bern on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic68%(78,075)
Black25.8%(29,599)
Hispanic / Latino3.6%(4,130)
Asian0.8%(946)
Other0%
Diversity Score56.3%(64,572)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic65.3%(79,824)
Black20.1%(24,522)
Hispanic / Latino6.6%(8,085)
Asian2.6%(3,141)
Other3.1%(3,765)
Diversity Score63%(76,978)
Segregation Score30.1%(36,773)
Diversity Score
63
+12%since 2000
from 56 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
30
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.8%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 17.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.4%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 80.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.0%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.1 min
+44%since 2000
from 15.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.4%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 75.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.0%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.2%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 10.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
57.2%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 60.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.8%
−29.9 ptssince 2009
from 62.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
49.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
4.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.7%
−73.9 ptssince 2013
from 84.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
In this metro

Principal cities

New BernCENTRAL34,724
What's inside

3 component counties

Craven CountyCENTRAL105,025Pamlico County12,758Jones County9,575
Drill deeper

Metros similar to New Bern

Cleveland
Pop 134,057
Elizabethtown
Pop 128,666
Battle Creek
Pop 133,408
St. Simons
Pop 118,524
Places similar to New Bern
Head to head

Compare New Bern side by side

NEW BERN VS
Cleveland
Income$65,993+26%
Home value$249,132+60%
Population134,057+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NEW BERN VS
Elizabethtown
Income$67,578+29%
Home value$220,770+41%
Population128,666+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NEW BERN VS
Battle Creek
Income$63,177+21%
Home value$162,800+4%
Population133,408+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NEW BERN VS
St. Simons
Income$66,040+27%
Home value$257,539+65%
Population118,524−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in New Bern, NC?

New Bern, NC has about 122,168 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in New Bern, NC?

The typical household in New Bern, NC earns about $52,186 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is New Bern, NC expensive?

In New Bern, NC, the median home is worth about $156,060, and the typical rent is about $873 a month.

How educated are people in New Bern, NC?

About 23.8% of adults age 25 and over in New Bern, NC hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in New Bern, NC?

About 15.1% of people in New Bern, NC live below the federal poverty line.

Has New Bern, NC grown since 1990?

Yes, New Bern, NC has grown since 1990. The population has added about 19,769 residents, a change of about 19 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →