Elizabeth City: Demographics & People
Census counts 18,871 people in Elizabeth City, in 7,576 households. Population grew 0.7% from 18,740 (2022) to 18,871 (2024). Median age 36.5 years. (3.1y younger than Pasquotank County). Children under 18 are 21% of the population. Population is 46% Black and 42% White (non-Hispanic). The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.57). 58% of households are family-led. County is gaining 202 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 34% adult obesity, 16% smoke.
- 2.5 people per household (vs North Carolina avg 2.5).
- 42% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs North Carolina 42%).
- 66 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs North Carolina 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.7% from 18,740 (2022) to 18,871 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~19,003 (extrapolated at 0.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 19,180.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 10,355 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.7% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 18,740 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 18,871 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 18,871 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Population Estimate | 19,180 |
| Population Note | Census Place population covers Camden County, Pasquotank County |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 36.5y is 2.4 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 21% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 36.5 years (at North Carolina median) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 21.2% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 18,871 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 3,993 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 5,267.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 6,104.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 3,507 |
| Population under 18 | 3,993 |
| Median age | 36.5 years (at North Carolina median) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 18,871 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.57 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 7,223 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 9,388 |
| Asian residents | 216 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 1,436 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 57.3% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 51.4% |
| Asian population | 1.0% (vs North Carolina 3.2%) |
| Black population | 45.5% (vs North Carolina 26.0%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 7.1% (vs North Carolina 12.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 42.1% (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 (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.9% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 3% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 9,565 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 8,492 |
| Share born in this state | 50.7% |
| Share born in another state | 49.3% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 45.0% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.9% |
| Naturalized citizens | 3.4% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 593 |
| From Europe | 68 |
| From Africa | 211 |
Households & Family Composition
7,576 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 58% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 4,349 families, 18% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 4,196 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 4,349 |
| Married couples with children | 802 |
| Single-parent households | 226 |
| Average household size | 2.35 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 12.8% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 364 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 245 |
| Family households | 4,405 households (vs North Carolina 17,226) |
| Households that are families | 58.1% (at North Carolina median) |
| Total households | 7,576 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. 22.2% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 202 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 22.2% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 11,267 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 11,065 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 202 |
| 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 | 1,105 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 6.2% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 1,421 residents live in group quarters (7.5% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 1,421 |
|---|
Other
| Census Counties | Camden County, Pasquotank County |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · District | 3 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 37029 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 37 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 029 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Camden |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 7.3% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 4.50 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 11.40 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 37029 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Camden County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Micropolitan |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 189 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 37029 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Camden County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 90.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 66.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 28.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 10,867 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 14 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 22 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 21.2% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 18,871, stable, family-oriented, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 18,871 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Town Summary · County | Camden County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade