Population
105,025
2025
+3.5% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Craven County, NC growth snapshot
Craven County had an estimated 105,025 residents in 2025, up 3.5% (3,511 more people) since 2020. That is slower than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 78th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+799
2025
7.6 per 1,000 residents
+3,266 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Jobs
40,422
2025
+5.5% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$1,099
2025
+19.8% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
3.9%
2025
−0.1 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
553
2025
+77.8% since 2021
5.3 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$65,873
2020–24
+22.2% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
30,858
2023
+8.8% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 799 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 40,422 jobs in 2025, +5.5% since 2020 (81st of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $1,099.
Unemployment averaged 3.9% in 2025, 0.1 points lower than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 553 new homes in 2025, or 5.3 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $65,873 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +22.2% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 881st.
Part of the New Bern, NC micro area.
Craven County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 105,025 | +852 |
| 2024 | 104,173 | +803 |
| 2023 | 103,370 | +957 |
| 2022 | 102,413 | +717 |
| 2021 | 101,696 | +182 |
| 2020 | 101,514 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Craven County
Craven County grew by 3,511 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+3,266).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −10 | −392 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +55 | +547 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +799 | +3,266 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | +8 | +90 | |
| Total change | +852 | +3,511 |
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
| Measure | In North Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 54th of 100 | 881st of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 52nd of 100 | 769th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 37th of 100 | 799th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 35th of 100 | 1,536th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 19th of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 51st of 100 | 1,463rd of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 53rd of 100 | 566th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
Get the full county report — $99
The quarterly County Growth Report for Craven County, NC as a PDF: growth, jobs, wages, permits, announcements, sales where allowed, ranks against peer counties and a methods page. Pay once, no subscription.
See a sample report (PDF) · Other counties and options
Every purchase also includes a CSV of every table in the report, ready for a spreadsheet.
- Not useful? Email us within 14 days for a full refund
- Sold by Simply Stats LLC (NC)
- Secure Stripe checkout (Apple Pay/Google Pay)
- Instant PDF download
- PDF + CSV of every table
Refund terms: Terms. · How we compute every number
Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Craven County's population change (+3.5%) was ahead of 2 of its 6 neighbouring counties and behind 4.
Only Carteret County had a higher median household income (2020–24) among its 6 neighbouring counties; Craven County's was $65,873.
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craven County, NC This county | 105,025 | +3.5% | 7.6 | 5.3 | $65,873 |
| Jones County, NC | 9,575 | +4.6% | 11.1 | 4.8 | $59,641 |
| Pamlico County, NC | 12,758 | +3.7% | 14.3 | 7.6 | $59,717 |
| Pitt County, NC | 182,936 | +5.4% | 6.4 | 7.0 | $58,188 |
| Beaufort County, NC | 44,670 | −0.1% | 3.9 | 2.7 | $58,357 |
| Lenoir County, NC | 55,837 | +1.4% | 10.1 | 2.3 | $45,143 |
| Carteret County, NC | 70,469 | +4.1% | 10.1 | 6.7 | $72,322 |
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 Craven County?
About 105,025 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Craven County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 3.5% between 2020 and 2025, about 3,511 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 78th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Craven County?
On net, about 799 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Craven County?
Employers there reported 40,422 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +5.5% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $1,099 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Craven County?
It averaged 3.9% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Craven County?
Building permits authorized 553 new housing units in 2025, 5.3 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Craven County?
$65,873 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Craven County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 54th of 100 for population growth; 52nd of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 37th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 35th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 881st of 3,107 counties for population growth.
See Craven County tract by tract
Beacon CRE maps growth, permits, workforce, flood risk, opportunity zones, listings and recent sales for every county and census tract in the Carolinas, with grades that explain themselves.
Card required, cancel anytime before the trial ends. Prefer an invoice? Request a pilot.
Get the Carolinas CRE Growth Brief
One email a month: the NC and SC counties gaining people, jobs and new homes fastest, with the numbers behind them. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
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.