1st Advantage MortgageThe median Northampton County household earns $50,086, and 21% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Northampton County, NC: the basics
- What Northampton County households earn
- Rent, home values and ownership in Northampton County
- The Northampton County job picture
- The communities that make up Northampton County
- Regional comparison for Northampton County
- Debt-to-income at Northampton County's medians
- More Northampton County figures
- Reading the Northampton County data as a borrower
- North Carolina rules that apply in Northampton County
- Checklist for Northampton County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Northampton County, NC: the basics
With an estimated 16,931 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Northampton County ranks 86th of 100 in North Carolina for population. Land area is 537 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 32 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 10 Census places inside Northampton County, Gaston leads by population with about 912; 9 of the 10 are incorporated.
What Northampton County households earn
Half of Northampton County households take in less than $50,086 a year and half take in more, 31% below the North Carolina median of $72,388.
| Household income | Northampton County | vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.4% | +13.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.6% | -0.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.9% | -6.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.1% | -6.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 23% of Northampton County households make $100,000 or more, and 36% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 21.1%, 8 points higher than the state's 13.0%. None of these numbers decides a Northampton County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Rent, home values and ownership in Northampton County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $758 in Northampton County versus $1,228 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 51% of renter households here. Home values center on $114,500, or 2.3 years of median income. The ownership rate is 75%. Half the housing stock was built before 1981.
| Cost | Northampton County | North Carolina figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $758/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $114,500 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 35% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 26% | 13% | n/a |
Because most Northampton County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
The Northampton County job picture
By the Census industry count, 24% of employed Northampton County residents work in education and health care and 20% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 20% locally and 12% for North Carolina. The survey's unemployment rate for Northampton County averages 8.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). 19% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. Only 7.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Northampton County | Difference from North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.6% | +1.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.8% | +8.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.8% | +1.6 pts |
| Public administration | 6.5% | +2.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.3% | +0.9 pts |
| Construction | 6.2% | -1.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Northampton County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
The communities that make up Northampton County
10 Census places fall mainly inside Northampton County; the 10 biggest are below. They account for 5,504 residents, leaving about 67% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Jackson has the highest median household income on the list ($49,048) and Seaboard the lowest ($25,776), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $508 in Seaboard to $947 in Jackson. No Northampton County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 10.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaston | town | 912 | $42,105 | $818 | 15 mi |
| Rich Square | town | 880 | $37,031 | $764 | 12 mi |
| Conway | town | 832 | $36,920 | $594 | 10 mi |
| Jackson | town | 777 | $49,048 | $947 | 2 mi |
| Seaboard | town | 585 | $25,776 | $508 | 5 mi |
| Garysburg | town | 572 | $41,333 | $850 | 9 mi |
| Woodland | town | 497 | $37,750 | $483 | 12 mi |
| Severn | town | 158 | $62,500 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Lasker | town | 152 | $84,792 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Milwaukee | CDP | 139 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
Regional comparison for Northampton County
Halifax County is closest, 18 miles from center to center; the sixth, Franklin city, is 31 miles off. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Northampton County; Southampton County is highest at $70,795 and Hertford County lowest at $45,537. The list crosses into Virginia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northampton County | - | $50,086 | $758/mo | 75% |
| Halifax County, NC | 18 mi | $45,590 | $813/mo | 63% |
| Greensville County, VA | 20 mi | $54,668 | $969/mo | 66% |
| Emporia city, VA | 20 mi | $51,899 | $1,037/mo | 38% |
| Hertford County, NC | 24 mi | $45,537 | $844/mo | 67% |
| Southampton County, VA | 26 mi | $70,795 | $930/mo | 76% |
| Franklin city, VA | 31 mi | $63,245 | $988/mo | 54% |
Debt-to-income at Northampton County's medians
Northampton County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Northampton County: $4,174
- Less median rent of $758, which is 18% of it
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $745 left for all other debt payments
- $1,037: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Northampton County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
More Northampton County figures
College graduates make up 18% of the adult population. 8.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Northampton County | North Carolina statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 52.0 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.9% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.9% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.6% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.0% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.9% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.1% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.1% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.1% |
| 60+ min | 10.5% |
Reading the Northampton County data as a borrower
Based on the Northampton County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Long drives. With 19% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Northampton County budgets.
- Manufactured homes. 30% of Northampton County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Fixed incomes. Northampton County's median age is 52.0. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 21% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
North Carolina rules that apply in Northampton County
Consumer lenders serving Northampton County are licensed by the state, not the county; in North Carolina that is 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.
Checklist for Northampton County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Northampton County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Northampton County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Northampton County a high-income county?
Its $50,086 median ranks 85th of 100 North Carolina counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Northampton County?
$758 a month at the median, about 18% of median household income.
I live in a small Northampton County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Gaston, Rich Square, Conway, Jackson, Seaboard and 5 more.
Can Northampton County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every North Carolina county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Where can someone in Northampton 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.