Whitakers: Demographics & People
Census counts 494 people in Whitakers, in 243 households. Population grew 20.2% from 411 (2022) to 494 (2024). Median age 34.8 years. (6.7y younger than Nash County; 1.4y younger than North Carolina). Children under 18 are 28% of the population. Population is 80% Black and 17% White (non-Hispanic). The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.34). 53% of households are family-led. County is gaining 1,095 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 40% adult obesity, 19% smoke.
- 2.0 people per household (vs North Carolina avg 2.5).
- 47% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs North Carolina 42%).
- 64 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs North Carolina 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 20.2% from 411 (2022) to 494 (2024) — about 33.7× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~598 (extrapolated at 10.1%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 758.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 48,900 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 20.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 411 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 494 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 494 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Population Estimate | 758 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 34.8y is 4.1 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 28% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 34.8 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 27.7% |
| Age Summary · Character | young professional |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 494 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 137 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 112.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 190.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 55 |
| Population under 18 | 137 |
| Median age | 34.8 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 494 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.34 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 86 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 312 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 33.9% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 78.4% |
| Black population | 79.8% (vs North Carolina 26.0%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 16.8% (vs North Carolina 51.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (6)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 437 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 56 |
| Share born in this state | 88.5% |
| Share born in another state | 11.5% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 11.3% |
| Naturalized citizens | 0.2% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 5 |
| From Europe | 1 |
Households & Family Composition
243 households. Averaging 1.8 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 53% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 113 families, 9% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 73 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 113 |
| Married couples with children | 10 |
| Single-parent households | 3 |
| Average household size | 1.77 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 39.9% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 18 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 17 |
| Family households | 128 households (vs North Carolina 17,226) |
| Households that are families | 52.7% (vs North Carolina 58.5%) |
| Total households | 243 households (vs North Carolina 25,235) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 5.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 1,095 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 5.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 42,736 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 41,641 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 1,095 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 21 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 4.5% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 2 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 37065 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 37 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 065 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Edgecombe |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 33.0% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 28.90 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 37.50 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 37065 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Edgecombe County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 2,055 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 37065 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Edgecombe County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 63.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 51.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 37.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 51,472 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 1.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 27.7% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 494, booming, young professional, working-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 494 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Town Summary · County | Edgecombe County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade