Population
72,111
2025
+19.0% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Pender County, NC growth snapshot
Pender County had an estimated 72,111 residents in 2025, up 19.0% (11,497 more people) since 2020. That is faster than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 4th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+1,881
2025
26.1 per 1,000 residents
+11,119 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
16,071
2025
+29.0% 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
$962
2025
+28.9% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
3.6%
2025
−0.4 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
833
2025
−18.1% since 2021
11.6 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
$80,396
2020–24
+33.9% 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
11,591
2023
+26.6% 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 1,881 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 16,071 jobs in 2025, +29.0% since 2020 (4th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $962.
Unemployment averaged 3.6% in 2025, 0.4 points lower than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 833 new homes in 2025, or 11.6 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $80,396 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +33.9% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 41st.
Part of the Wilmington, NC metro area.
Pender County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 72,111 | +1,961 |
| 2024 | 70,150 | +1,835 |
| 2023 | 68,315 | +2,677 |
| 2022 | 65,638 | +2,664 |
| 2021 | 62,974 | +2,360 |
| 2020 | 60,614 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Pender County
Pender County grew by 11,497 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+11,119).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | +30 | −207 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +69 | +528 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +1,881 | +11,119 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −19 | +57 | |
| Total change | +1,961 | +11,497 |
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 | 2nd of 100 | 41st of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 3rd of 100 | 49th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 1st of 100 | 111th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 14th of 100 | 568th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 59th of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 32nd of 100 | 1,076th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 6th of 100 | 96th 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, Pender County's population change (+19.0%) was ahead of 6 of its 7 neighbouring counties and behind 1 (Brunswick County).
Its median household income ($80,396, 2020–24) is higher than in all 7 of its neighbouring counties.
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pender County, NC This county | 72,111 | +19.0% | 26.1 | 11.6 | $80,396 |
| New Hanover County, NC | 245,959 | +8.6% | 9.2 | 9.5 | $75,166 |
| Duplin County, NC | 51,571 | +6.0% | 0.9 | 2.5 | $55,148 |
| Brunswick County, NC | 174,702 | +26.5% | 49.1 | 25.5 | $77,024 |
| Onslow County, NC | 217,175 | +5.9% | 0.3 | 6.3 | $68,148 |
| Sampson County, NC | 61,504 | +4.1% | 1.1 | 1.9 | $52,432 |
| Bladen County, NC | 30,007 | +1.3% | 1.2 | 3.2 | $42,422 |
| Columbus County, NC | 50,487 | +0.0% | 5.3 | 1.1 | $49,442 |
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 Pender County?
About 72,111 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Pender County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 19.0% between 2020 and 2025, about 11,497 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 4th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Pender County?
On net, about 1,881 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 Pender County?
Employers there reported 16,071 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +29.0% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $962 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Pender County?
It averaged 3.6% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Pender County?
Building permits authorized 833 new housing units in 2025, 11.6 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Pender County?
$80,396 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Pender County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 2nd of 100 for population growth; 3rd of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 1st of 100 for private-sector job growth; 14th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 41st of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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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.