Population
51,571
2025
+6.0% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Duplin County had an estimated 51,571 residents in 2025, up 6.0% (2,911 more people) since 2020. That is slower than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 48th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
51,571
2025
+6.0% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
+45
2025
0.9 per 1,000 residents
+501 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.
19,630
2025
+6.7% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
$916
2025
+21.4% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
3.3%
2025
−0.7 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
127
2025
+39.6% since 2021
2.5 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
$55,148
2020–24
+27.0% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
14,132
2023
+7.1% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
Net domestic migration added 45 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 19,630 jobs in 2025, +6.7% since 2020 (73rd of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $916.
Unemployment averaged 3.3% in 2025, 0.7 points lower than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 127 new homes in 2025, or 2.5 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $55,148 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +27.0% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 498th.
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 51,571 | +569 |
| 2024 | 51,002 | +1,060 |
| 2023 | 49,942 | +877 |
| 2022 | 49,065 | +500 |
| 2021 | 48,565 | −95 |
| 2020 | 48,660 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
Duplin County grew by 2,911 people since 2020; the largest part came from international migration (+2,243).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | +43 | +153 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +479 | +2,243 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +45 | +501 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | +2 | +14 | |
| Total change | +569 | +2,911 |
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.
| Measure | In North Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 30th of 100 | 498th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 83rd of 100 | 1,762nd of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 48th of 100 | 970th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 72nd of 100 | 2,439th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 87th of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 7th of 100 | 697th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 85th of 100 | 1,331st 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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Over 2020–25, Duplin County's population change (+6.0%) was ahead of 5 of its 6 neighbouring counties and behind 1 (Pender County).
4 of its 6 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Duplin County's $55,148 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duplin County, NC This county | 51,571 | +6.0% | 0.9 | 2.5 | $55,148 |
| Lenoir County, NC | 55,837 | +1.4% | 10.1 | 2.3 | $45,143 |
| Wayne County, NC | 122,278 | +3.8% | 1.4 | 7.8 | $59,733 |
| Pender County, NC | 72,111 | +19.0% | 26.1 | 11.6 | $80,396 |
| Sampson County, NC | 61,504 | +4.1% | 1.1 | 1.9 | $52,432 |
| Jones County, NC | 9,575 | +4.6% | 11.1 | 4.8 | $59,641 |
| Onslow County, NC | 217,175 | +5.9% | 0.3 | 6.3 | $68,148 |
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
About 51,571 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Yes. Its population grew 6.0% between 2020 and 2025, about 2,911 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 48th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
On net, about 45 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
Employers there reported 19,630 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +6.7% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $916 in 2025.
It averaged 3.3% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
Building permits authorized 127 new housing units in 2025, 2.5 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
$55,148 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 30th of 100 for population growth; 83rd of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 48th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 72nd of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 498th of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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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.