1st Advantage MortgageMartin County households have a median income of $48,578 and median rent of $758 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Martin County at a glance
- How much Martin County households make
- Work, industries and travel time in Martin County
- Martin County housing compared with North Carolina
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Martin County
- Martin County next to its neighbors
- People and households in Martin County
- Reading the Martin County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Martin County median
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Martin County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Martin County at a glance
Martin County is home to about 21,644 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 78th most populous of 100 county-level areas in North Carolina. It covers 456 square miles of land, or about 47 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Martin County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (9 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Williamston, with about 5,112 residents, or 24% of the county.
How much Martin County households make
The median household income in Martin County is $48,578; statewide it is $72,388, so Martin County runs 33% below North Carolina as a whole. In the state ranking that is 89th of 100.
| Income band | Share in Martin County | Difference from North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.2% | +10.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.9% | +7.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.1% | -10.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.8% | -6.6 pts |
Some 33% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 18% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 20.4%, 7 points higher than the state's 13.0%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.448 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Martin County median.
Work, industries and travel time in Martin County
Education and health care employs 29% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 18%. Compared with North Carolina, the county leans toward education and health care (29% against 23%). The survey's unemployment rate for Martin County averages 6.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). About 76% drive to work alone and 19% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 8.6% of the total (5.3% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Martin County workers | vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.0% | +6.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.5% | +5.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.8% | +2.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.7% | -3.5 pts |
| Public administration | 7.2% | +3.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.0% | +0.6 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Martin County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Martin County housing compared with North Carolina
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $758 in Martin County versus $1,228 statewide. 42% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. With a median value of $109,700, a typical Martin County house costs 2.3 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 67% of homes.
| Home costs | Martin County | North Carolina | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $758/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $109,700 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 67% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 13% | n/a |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Martin County
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 38% of Martin County residents live in one of the 9. No Martin County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 9.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williamston | town | 5,112 | $38,738 | $684 | 3 mi |
| Robersonville | town | 1,220 | $43,523 | $572 | 8 mi |
| Jamesville | town | 457 | $46,703 | $705 | 13 mi |
| Parmele | town | 374 | $36,136 | $1,063 | 11 mi |
| Oak City | town | 353 | $61,091 | $975 | 13 mi |
| Hamilton | town | 243 | $41,875 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Everetts | town | 193 | $45,227 | $819 | 3 mi |
| Bear Grass | town | 133 | $77,679 | $675 | 6 mi |
| Hassell | town | 45 | $21,667 | n/a | 10 mi |
Martin County next to its neighbors
Six nearby counties, 17 to 35 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $41,813 in Washington County to $58,357 in Beaufort County; 5 of these neighbors top Martin County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin County | - | $48,578 | $758/mo | 67% |
| Bertie County, NC | 17 mi | $48,750 | $839/mo | 73% |
| Pitt County, NC | 23 mi | $58,188 | $993/mo | 51% |
| Edgecombe County, NC | 27 mi | $51,265 | $858/mo | 61% |
| Beaufort County, NC | 30 mi | $58,357 | $871/mo | 70% |
| Washington County, NC | 31 mi | $41,813 | $743/mo | 68% |
| Chowan County, NC | 35 mi | $53,864 | $681/mo | 71% |
People and households in Martin County
College graduates make up 17% of the adult population. 7.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Martin County | North Carolina | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.8 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.7% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.6% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.1% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.6% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.5% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.4% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.1% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.9% |
| 60+ min | 7.5% |
Reading the Martin County data as a borrower
What the Martin County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Vehicle repairs. 19% of Martin County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Mobile home upkeep. 22% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Older households. A 46.8 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Free help first. 20% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Budget math at the Martin County median
Here is the Martin County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $4,048 a month: gross income for a household at the Martin County median
- 19% goes to median rent ($758)
- At 40%, room after rent is $861 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Martin County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Lender oversight for Martin County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Martin County, check the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The North Carolina guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Martin County a high-income county?
Its $48,578 median ranks 89th of 100 North Carolina counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Martin County?
$758 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
Does this page cover Williamston?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Martin County, such as Robersonville, Jamesville, Parmele.
Is the fit check different in Martin County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Martin County check a lender's license?
With the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.