Henderson County, North Carolina Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 25th-largest in North Carolina

The population of Henderson County, North Carolina is 117,387 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 25th-largest county in North Carolina. The median household income is $67,623, the median home value is $317,800, and the median age is 47.2.

The population of Henderson County has grown 13.0% since 2010 (106,894 → 120,771), a +0.88% annualized rate.

Henderson County within North Carolina · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

117,387

Population

+0.88%

Annual growth

315

People / sq mi

$67,623

Median Income

$317,800

Median Home Value

Henderson County covers 373 sq mi of land at 314.8 people per square mile.

About Henderson County, NC

Henderson County is distinguished by its share of foreign-born residents, 45.1% of the population. Henderson County is a county in North Carolina with a population of 117,387. It ranks #25 among counties in North Carolina by population.

Median household income is $67,623, below the US median of $78,538. About 9.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. The median home value is $317,800, with typical rent around $1,120.

College attainment is above the local norm at 35.1%, near the national 35.0%. Remote work is below the national 14.0% at 9.2%, and the average commute runs about 22 minutes each way.

The large foreign-born share is a defining thread in Henderson County, shaping language, household composition, and the labor force behind the economic figures above.

Henderson County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Henderson County had a population of 106,894 in 2010 and 120,771 in 2024, a 13.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 120,771 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.88%.

Henderson County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

120,771

Population (2024)

106,894

Population (2010)

120,771

Peak (2024)

0.88%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	106,894	-	-	estimate
2011	107,391	+497	+0.46%	estimate
2012	107,811	+420	+0.39%	estimate
2013	108,942	+1,131	+1.05%	estimate
2014	110,338	+1,396	+1.28%	estimate
2015	111,943	+1,605	+1.45%	estimate
2016	113,711	+1,768	+1.58%	estimate
2017	115,431	+1,720	+1.51%	estimate
2018	116,557	+1,126	+0.98%	estimate
2019	117,347	+790	+0.68%	estimate
2020	116,571	-776	-0.66%	estimate
2021	117,166	+595	+0.51%	estimate
2022	118,336	+1,170	+1.00%	estimate
2023	119,576	+1,240	+1.05%	estimate
2024	120,771	+1,195	+1.00%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	84.1%
Black or African American	3.3%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.5%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

47.2

Median Age

51.6%

Female

48.4%

Male

26.0%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

4.6%

5–9

4.9%

10–14

5.9%

15–19

5.2%

20–24

4.7%

25–34

10.4%

35–44

11.5%

45–54

12.3%

55–59

7.4%

60–64

7.0%

65–74

14.9%

75–84

8.2%

85+

2.9%

Children (under 15): 15.4% · Seniors (65+): 26.0%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$67,623$-2,281 vs state
Mean household income	$90,317
Per-capita income	$38,976
Poverty rate	9.1%-0.3% vs state
Unemployment rate	1.9%
Employment-to-population	55.3%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

22.6%

Manufacturing

11.6%

Education & health care

11.4%

Finance & real estate

9.6%

Construction

9.1%

Arts, entertainment & food

5.5%

Information

5.0%

Retail trade

4.4%

The largest employment sector in Henderson County is professional & business services, accounting for 22.6% of workers.

How residents commute

0.1%

Drive alone

0.7%

Carpool

78.8%

Public transit

9.2%

Work from home

22.3 min

Avg commute

Housing

$317,800+$58,400 vs state

Median home value

$1,120

Median rent

74.2%

Homeownership rate

57,338

Total housing units

87.9%

Occupied

12.1%

Vacant

25.8%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

87.8%

With health insurance

94.9%

With broadband internet

45.1%

Foreign-born

8.2%

Veterans (18+)

15.0%

With a disability

88.4%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

91.1%

High School+

35.1%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in North Carolina

Charlotte (886,283)Raleigh (470,763)Greensboro (298,564)Durham (288,465)Winston-Salem (250,887)Fayetteville (209,692)Cary (176,686)Wilmington (118,578)High Point (115,263)Concord (106,518)All North Carolina cities →

Other counties in North Carolina

Wake County (1,151,009)Mecklenburg County (1,130,906)Guilford County (542,987)Forsyth County (386,740)Cumberland County (336,749)Durham County (329,405)Buncombe County (271,790)Union County (244,975)Gaston County (231,485)Cabarrus County (231,262)All North Carolina counties →

Part of North Carolina

North Carolina demographic profile All North Carolina data →

Metro areas in North Carolina

Charlotte (2,712,818)Virginia Beach (1,782,590)Raleigh (1,449,594)Greensboro (779,894)Winston (683,637)Durham (594,291)Wilmington (440,578)Asheville (410,817)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Henderson County, North Carolina has a population of 117,387 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 25th-largest county in North Carolina. Population density is 315 people per square mile.

The population of Henderson County has grown 13.0% since 2010 (106,894 → 120,771), a +0.88% annualized rate.

The median household income in Henderson County, North Carolina is $67,623, with mean (average) household income of $90,317 and per-capita income of $38,976. 9.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Henderson County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (84.1%), Black or African American (3.3%), Hispanic or Latino (1.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Henderson County, North Carolina is 47.2 years. Residents are 51.6% female and 48.4% male.

The median home value in Henderson County is $317,800 and median monthly rent is $1,120. 74.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 57,338 total housing units, 12.1% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Henderson County, North Carolina is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 22.6% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.9%.

Charlotte is among the largest cities associated with Henderson County, North Carolina, with a population of 886,283.