Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

MyTownView

Elizabeth City, NC

CSAVirginia Beach-Chesapeake MSAElizabeth City

Census

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Demographicsi2024 ACS 5-Year EstimatesCensus

18,871population

36.5median age

This community is a community of 18,871 with a median age of 36.5. The population is predominantly Black (45.5%) with a significant White community (42.1%). Median household income is $52,141. 86.3% of adults hold a high school diploma or higher, and 27.2% have a bachelor's degree. The homeownership rate is 44.1%, with a median home value of $187,700.

Race & Ethnicityi

Black

45.5%8,591

White

42.1%7,939

Hispanic/Latino

7.1%1,332

Two or More

3.6%682

Asian

1%198

Other

0.4%83

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.2%34

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.1%12

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

5.5%683

High School Diploma

19.7%2,451

Some College (<1 yr)

3.9%488

Some College (1+ yr)

19%2,369

Associate's Degree

11%1,373

Bachelor's Degree

18.7%2,329

Master's Degree

5.5%684

Professional Degree

1.3%167

Doctorate

1.7%214

HS or Higher

86.3%

BA or Higher

27.2%

Graduate+

8.5%

Housingi

$187,700median home value

$1,117median rent

44.1%homeownership

8,689total units

12.8%vacancy

Tenure

Owner 44.1%

Renter 55.9%

Home Values

Under $50K

12.2%408

$50K–$100K

6.8%226

$100K–$150K

12.4%416

$150K–$200K

21.8%730

$200K–$300K

27.2%911

$300K–$500K

14.6%488

$500K–$1M

4.3%145

$1M+

0.6%20

Rent Distribution

Under $500

541

$500–$750

360

$750–$1,000

853

$1,000–$1,250

716

$1,250–$1,500

858

$1,500–$2,000

768

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

1.2%106

2010–2019

8.1%708

2000–2009

15.1%1,314

1990–1999

9%780

1980–1989

11.3%978

1970–1979

5.5%481

1960–1969

13.4%1,164

1950–1959

11.4%994

1940–1949

7.9%690

1939 or earlier

17%1,474

Heating Fuel

Electricity

76.4%5,785

Bottled/LP Gas

11.6%880

Utility Gas

9.1%689

No Fuel

1.6%124

Fuel Oil

1.1%84

Other

0.2%14

Household Economyi

$52,141median household income

$29,560per capita income

12.4%poverty rate

6.9%unemployment

9,116labor force

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

4.7%358

$10K–$15K

7.7%582

$15K–$20K

4.5%342

$20K–$25K

4.2%318

$25K–$30K

7.7%586

$30K–$35K

4.5%341

$35K–$40K

5.1%388

$40K–$45K

4.3%323

$45K–$50K

4.7%359

$50K–$60K

10.7%814

$60K–$75K

9.1%688

$75K–$100K

12.6%954

$100K–$125K

7.5%568

$125K–$150K

2.8%212

$150K–$200K

6.9%524

$200K+

2.9%219

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

1,200

Residentsi

1,758

Avg. Tenant Renti

$426/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

57 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing330 homes95% occupied$381/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers676 homes63% occupied$463/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8194 homes87% occupied$371/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $52,141/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $16K/yr

69.2%

Very low income$16K–$26K/yr

22.9%

Low income$26K–$42K/yr

7.1%

Moderate / aboveOver $42K/yr

0.8%

Who Receives This Housing

83.2% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

85.4% of subsidized households are minority

15.9% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

35.2% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

6353.4%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

234

Guatemala

Germany

United Kingdom

India

Canada

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

8,381

Avg. Commutei

26.4 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

8,295

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,293(8.8% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

87%Insured

13%Uninsured