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Bertie County, NC growth snapshot

Bertie County had an estimated 17,086 residents in 2025, down 3.6% (636 fewer people) since 2020. That is slower than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 139th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.

Data as of 2025 · updated

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How we compute every number

Headline numbers

New homes permitted

32

2025

1.9 per 1,000 residents

Small base: the change swings on a few homes or people, so we don't show it.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.

What the numbers say

Net domestic migration was negative in 2025: 32 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in.

Employers counted 5,322 jobs in 2025, −3.7% since 2020 (135th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $894.

Unemployment averaged 4.8% in 2025, 0.5 points lower than in 2019 (before the pandemic).

Builders were authorized to start 32 new homes in 2025, or 1.9 per 1,000 residents.

Median household income was $48,750 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +39.1% since 2016–20.

Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 2,766th.

Bertie County population by year

Resident population, July 1 estimate (Census Bureau)
YearPopulationChange
202517,086−98
202417,184+171
202317,013+62
202216,951−286
202117,237−485
202017,722–

Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.

What drove the change in Bertie County

Bertie County lost 636 people since 2020; the biggest drag was natural change (−687).

Components of population change, people (Census Bureau)
Component20252020–25Share
Natural changebirths minus deaths−119−687
International migrationfrom and to other countries+55+143
Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties−32−91
Census adjustmentbalancing residual−2−1
Total change−98−636

Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.

How it ranks

MeasureIn North CarolinaAmong U.S. counties
Population growth97th of 1002,766th of 3,107
Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents91st of 1002,212th of 3,108
Private-sector job growth69th of 1001,533rd of 3,092
Median household income88th of 1002,814th of 3,107
Average weekly wage92nd of 100–
Lowest unemployment rate84th of 1002,395th of 3,108
New homes permitted per 1,000 residents91st of 1001,596th of 3,005

1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.

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Neighbouring counties

Over 2020–25, Bertie County's population change (−3.6%) was ahead of 3 of its 6 neighbouring counties and behind 3.

2 of its 6 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Bertie County's $48,750 (2020–24).

Bertie County, NC and its 6 neighbouring counties: public federal figures
CountyPopulation2025Population change2020–25Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025Median household income2020–24
Bertie County, NC This county17,086−3.6%−1.91.9$48,750
Martin County, NC21,601−1.6%9.70.0$48,578
Chowan County, NC14,082+2.8%5.93.4$53,864
Hertford County, NC19,015−11.2%−3.00.2$45,537
Washington County, NC10,638−3.1%5.40.7$41,813
Northampton County, NC16,491−5.4%8.10.9$50,086
Halifax County, NC46,534−3.9%−5.51.6$45,590

Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.

All 100 North Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros

Questions

What is the population of Bertie County?

About 17,086 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.

Is Bertie County growing?

No. Its population fell 3.6% between 2020 and 2025, about 636 fewer people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 139th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.

How many people moved to Bertie County?

On net, none in 2025: about 32 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).

How many jobs are in Bertie County?

Employers there reported 5,322 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, −3.7% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $894 in 2025.

What is the unemployment rate in Bertie County?

It averaged 4.8% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).

How many new homes are being built in Bertie County?

Building permits authorized 32 new housing units in 2025, 1.9 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.

What is the median household income in Bertie County?

$48,750 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.

How does Bertie County compare with other North Carolina counties?

Among North Carolina counties it ranks 97th of 100 for population growth; 91st of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 69th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 88th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 2,766th of 3,107 counties for population growth.

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Sources and method

Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.