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Person County, NC growth snapshot

Person County had an estimated 40,636 residents in 2025, up 3.7% (1,452 more people) since 2020. That is slower than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 71st fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.

Data as of 2025 · updated

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Headline numbers

What the numbers say

Net domestic migration added 363 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.

Employers counted 9,063 jobs in 2025, −2.6% since 2020 (130th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $984.

Unemployment averaged 3.5% in 2025, 0.5 points lower than in 2019 (before the pandemic).

Builders were authorized to start 145 new homes in 2025, or 3.6 per 1,000 residents.

Median household income was $63,300 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +10.4% since 2016–20.

Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 818th.

Part of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area.

Person County population by year

Resident population, July 1 estimate (Census Bureau)
YearPopulationChange
202540,636+370
202440,266+447
202339,819+417
202239,402+234
202139,168−16
202039,184–

Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.

What drove the change in Person County

Person County grew by 1,452 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+1,560).

Components of population change, people (Census Bureau)
Component20252020–25Share
Natural changebirths minus deaths−88−529
International migrationfrom and to other countries+97+390
Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties+363+1,560
Census adjustmentbalancing residual−2+31
Total change+370+1,452

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 growth48th of 100818th of 3,107
Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents42nd of 100632nd of 3,108
Private-sector job growth80th of 1001,813th of 3,092
Median household income42nd of 1001,746th of 3,107
Average weekly wage48th of 100–
Lowest unemployment rate23rd of 100960th of 3,108
New homes permitted per 1,000 residents71st of 100951st 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, Person County's population change (+3.7%) was ahead of 3 of its 5 neighbouring counties and behind 2 (Durham County and Orange County).

3 of its 5 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Person County's $63,300 (2020–24).

Person 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
Person County, NC This county40,636+3.7%8.93.6$63,300
Granville County, NC61,421+2.1%−3.54.2$71,111
Durham County, NC347,240+7.7%−1.213.7$82,316
Orange County, NC152,498+6.1%−3.04.4$90,089
Caswell County, NC22,563+0.4%9.42.2$59,755
Halifax County, VA33,447−1.4%2.83.0$52,013

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 Person County?

About 40,636 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.

Is Person County growing?

Yes. Its population grew 3.7% between 2020 and 2025, about 1,452 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 71st of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.

How many people moved to Person County?

On net, about 363 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 Person County?

Employers there reported 9,063 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, −2.6% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $984 in 2025.

What is the unemployment rate in Person County?

It averaged 3.5% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).

How many new homes are being built in Person County?

Building permits authorized 145 new housing units in 2025, 3.6 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.

What is the median household income in Person County?

$63,300 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.

How does Person County compare with other North Carolina counties?

Among North Carolina counties it ranks 48th of 100 for population growth; 42nd of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 80th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 42nd of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 818th 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.