Census ACS 5-year estimates · 2026

North Carolina Income Statistics for 2026

The average income for households in North Carolina is $101,208, which is 11% lower than the US average.

The median income for households in North Carolina is $72,388, which is 10% lower than the US median.

North Carolina has a population-weighted median household income of $76,767 and mean household income of $101,532 across 799 ZIP codes — 12.4% lower than the US average for median income.

Median household income (ZIP-weighted)

$76,767

US ZIP-weighted median: $87,610 · 12.4% lower than the US average

Mean household income (ZIP-weighted)

$101,532

US ZIP-weighted mean: $113,774 · 10.8% lower than the US average

Per capita income

$41,459

US per capita: $44,688 · 7.2% lower than the US average

Population & households

Population
10,705,206
Households
4,281,336
ZIP codes
799

By age of householder

Median household income by age in North Carolina

Census ACS table B19049 · 2024 5-year estimates

Under 25
$43,243-5% vs US

Gray bar = US median ($45,332)

25 to 44
$81,239-11% vs US

Gray bar = US median ($90,756)

45 to 64Peak
$86,426-12% vs US

Gray bar = US median ($97,843)

65 and over
$53,003-9% vs US

Gray bar = US median ($58,390)

In North Carolina, younger households (householder under 25) report a median income of $43,243. Income peaks for householders aged 45 to 64, at $86,426. Among householders 65 and over, the median falls to $53,003 — a common pattern as people transition from career earnings to retirement income.

Income distribution

How North Carolina households are spread across income levels

Census ACS table B19001 · 4,282,345 households · 2024 5-year estimates

Less than $10,000
214,4245%
$10,000 to $14,999
158,2104%
$15,000 to $19,999
150,0184%
$20,000 to $24,999
153,7164%
$25,000 to $29,999
156,3674%
$30,000 to $34,999
161,9594%
$35,000 to $39,999
169,9944%
$40,000 to $44,999
168,5014%
$45,000 to $49,999
161,2554%
$50,000 to $59,999
304,4197%
$60,000 to $74,999
413,02410%
$75,000 to $99,999Largest
557,41613%
$100,000 to $124,999
418,17310%
$125,000 to $149,999
294,5837%
$150,000 to $199,999
356,5898%
$200,000 or more
443,69710%

Under $50k

35%

$50k–$99k

30%

$100k–$149k

17%

$150k+

19%

North Carolina has 4,282,345 households spread across 16 income brackets. The largest share (13%) falls in the $75,000 to $99,999 range. Roughly 35% of households earn $100,000 or more per year. About 35% earn less than $50,000.

Richest North Carolina ZIP codes

Richest ZIP codes are ranked by mean household income among ZCTAs with at least 500 residents. Census suppresses exact medians above $250,000; mean income avoids ties.

RankZIPCountyPopulationMean incomeMedian income
127968Dare County781$828,097
228207Mecklenburg County9,527$413,008$217,204
327608Wake County12,604$258,595$162,188
428211Mecklenburg County33,925$227,389$132,917
528036Mecklenburg County22,963$225,268$156,496
628480New Hanover County2,776$211,703$172,500
727310Guilford County8,622$207,132$165,898
828682Catawba County1,701$206,839$129,390
928270Mecklenburg County32,448$200,640$131,667
1028173Union County65,274$200,570$150,597

Hero statistics use official Census ACS state totals (tables B19013 and S1902). Figures in this section are population-weighted aggregates of ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) estimates for browsing individual ZIP codes. Page URL: https://resource.skyrocketbpo.com/tools/market-research/us-income-demographics-by-zip-code/north-carolina

Link to this page

Permanent URL backed by Census ACS data in PocketBase.

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