St. Helena: Demographics & People
St. Helena's population stands at 544 people, in 205 households. Population shrank 6.2% from 580 (2022) to 544 (2024). Median age 47.9 years. (6.3y older than Pender County; 8.4y older than North Carolina). Children under 18 are 18% of the population. Population is 71% White (non-Hispanic) and 17% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.49). 66% of households are family-led. County is gaining 6,871 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 31% adult obesity, 16% smoke.
- 2.7 people per household.
- 34% non-family households (singles, roommates).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 6.2% from 580 (2022) to 544 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~510 (extrapolated at -3.1%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 468.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 60,203 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -6.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 580 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 544 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 544 people |
| Population Estimate | 468 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 47.9y is 9.0 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 18% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 47.9 years (vs North Carolina 39.5y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 18.4% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Population under 18 | 100 |
| Median age | 47.9 years (vs North Carolina 39.5y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 544 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.49 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 355 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 87 |
| Asian residents | 12 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 69 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 49.4% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 67.9% |
| Asian population | 2.6% |
| Black population | 16.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 0.4% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 70.6% |
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).
| Residents born in this state | 396 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 140 |
| Share born in this state | 72.8% |
| Share born in another state | 27.2% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 25.7% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.5% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 22 |
| From Africa | 7 |
Households & Family Composition
205 households. Averaging 2.8 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 66% are family households — near the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 138 families, 22% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 105 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 138 |
| Married couples with children | 30 |
| Single-parent households | 7 |
| Average household size | 2.84 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 12.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 24 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 14 |
| Family households | 135 households |
| Households that are families | 65.9% |
| Total households | 205 households |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 14.4% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 6,871 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 14.4% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 69,995 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 63,124 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 6,871 |
| 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 | 36 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 7.8% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 7 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | NC-07 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 37,141 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 37 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 141 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Pender |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 16.8% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 14.10 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 19.80 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 37,141 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Pender County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,371 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 37,141 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Pender County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 72.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 55.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 32.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 63,060 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 18 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 18.4% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 544, shrinking, established, upper-middle, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 544 people |
| Town Summary · County | Pender County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade