New Bern, North Carolina Income Statistics
New Bern Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
D
New Bern Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | New Bern | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $59,115 | $72,438 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $46,721 | $54,489 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.8% | 5.2% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.7% | 11.9% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 4.7% | 10.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in New Bern is about 18% lower than in North Carolina. Income has been growing slower in New Bern (4.8%/yr) than in North Carolina (5.2%/yr).
About 10% of adults in New Bern earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the North Carolina average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in New Bern, North Carolina grew by 69.5% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $59,115 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.8% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in New Bern
| Metric | New Bern | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.518 | 0.547 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $58,222 | $63,136 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $45,614 | $52,579 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 21.7% | 16.7% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In New Bern, it is 0.518, lower than North Carolina's 0.547, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 28% more than women's income in New Bern, North Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 28% wage gap accumulates to roughly $441,280 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in New Bern, North Carolina has narrowed from about 33% to 22% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 34% in 2010, and was narrowest at 5% in 2020. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,782 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | New Bern | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.2% | 16.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 519 people are unemployed in New Bern, North Carolina.
The average commute time in New Bern is 13 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in North Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in New Bern, North Carolina has fallen from 15.2% to 4.6% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 15.9% in 2013 and fell as low as 4.3% in 2022.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, New Bern, North Carolina has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with North Carolina, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in New Bern, North Carolina.
How Rich Is New Bern, North Carolina?
New Bern has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $59,115, about 18% lower than the North Carolina average of $72,438.
How fast is household income rising in New Bern, North Carolina?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in New Bern, North Carolina rose 70%, from $34,867 to $59,115. Over the same years, income here outpaced North Carolina as a whole: +70% against +61%.
What was the median household income in New Bern in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in New Bern, North Carolina was $56,734, up 4% from $54,622 in 2022. The North Carolina median that year was $69,937.
What was the median household income in New Bern in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in New Bern, North Carolina was $44,885. By 2024 it had risen 32% to $59,115.
What is the Gini coefficient in New Bern, North Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in New Bern is 0.518. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in New Bern, North Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in New Bern, North Carolina has narrowed from about 33% to 22% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 34% in 2010, and was narrowest at 5% in 2020. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,782 since 2009.
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