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Hertford County, NC growth snapshot

Hertford County had an estimated 19,015 residents in 2025, down 11.2% (2,399 fewer people) since 2020. That is slower than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 146th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.

Data as of 2025 · updated

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Headline numbers

New homes permitted

3

2025

0.2 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: 57 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in.

Employers counted 8,390 jobs in 2025, −4.5% since 2020 (138th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $960.

Unemployment averaged 4.3% in 2025, 0.6 points lower than in 2019 (before the pandemic).

Builders were authorized to start 3 new homes in 2025, or 0.2 per 1,000 residents.

Median household income was $45,537 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +6.9% since 2016–20.

Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 3,088th.

Hertford County population by year

Resident population, July 1 estimate (Census Bureau)
YearPopulationChange
202519,015−84
202419,099−95
202319,194−298
202219,492−318
202119,810−1,604
202021,414–

Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.

What drove the change in Hertford County

Hertford County lost 2,399 people since 2020; the biggest drag was domestic migration (−1,921).

Components of population change, people (Census Bureau)
Component20252020–25Share
Natural changebirths minus deaths−87−584
International migrationfrom and to other countries+61+230
Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties−57−1,921
Census adjustmentbalancing residual−1−124
Total change−84−2,399

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 growth100th of 1003,088th of 3,107
Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents93rd of 1002,341st of 3,108
Private-sector job growth92nd of 1002,623rd of 3,092
Median household income94th of 1002,916th of 3,107
Average weekly wage60th of 100–
Lowest unemployment rate76th of 1001,935th of 3,108
New homes permitted per 1,000 residents99th of 1002,673rd 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

Hertford County lost population faster than all 5 of its neighbouring counties (−11.2%, 2020–25).

Its median household income ($45,537, 2020–24) is lower than in all 5 of its neighbouring counties.

Hertford County, NC and its 5 neighbouring counties: public federal figures
CountyPopulation2025Population change2020–25Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025Median household income2020–24
Hertford County, NC This county19,015−11.2%−3.00.2$45,537
Gates County, NC10,234−2.1%3.11.2$66,333
Northampton County, NC16,491−5.4%8.10.9$50,086
Bertie County, NC17,086−3.6%−1.91.9$48,750
Southampton County, VA18,110+0.9%9.12.7$70,795
Chowan County, NC14,082+2.8%5.93.4$53,864

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 Hertford County?

About 19,015 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.

Is Hertford County growing?

No. Its population fell 11.2% between 2020 and 2025, about 2,399 fewer people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 146th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.

How many people moved to Hertford County?

On net, none in 2025: about 57 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).

How many jobs are in Hertford County?

Employers there reported 8,390 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, −4.5% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $960 in 2025.

What is the unemployment rate in Hertford County?

It averaged 4.3% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).

How many new homes are being built in Hertford County?

Building permits authorized 3 new housing units in 2025, 0.2 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.

What is the median household income in Hertford County?

$45,537 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.

How does Hertford County compare with other North Carolina counties?

Among North Carolina counties it ranks 100th of 100 for population growth; 93rd of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 92nd of 100 for private-sector job growth; 94th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 3,088th 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.