Where Do You Stand? Income Percentile in North Carolina
2024 household income distribution — see how your income compares
Median Income
$67,112
50th percentile
Top 25%
$127,721
75th percentile cutoff
Top 10%
$201,545
90th percentile cutoff
Top 1%
$555,880
99th percentile cutoff
The median household income in North Carolina is $67,112, 19.7% below the national median of $83,592.
North Carolina Income Percentile Cutoffs (2024)
Each row shows the minimum household income needed to be in that percentile or above. For example, earning more than $67k puts you above 50% of North Carolina households.
| Percentile | Minimum Income | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $12,800 | Earns more than 10% of households |
| 20th | $27,600 | Earns more than 20% of households |
| 25th | $35,000 | Earns more than 25% of households |
| 30th | $41,400 | Below-median income |
| 40th | $54,300 | Below-median income |
| 50th (Median) | $67,100 | Below-median income |
| 60th | $91,400 | Above-median income |
| 70th | $115,600 | Above-median income |
| 75th | $127,700 | Above-median income |
| 80th | $152,300 | Upper-middle income |
| 90th | $201,500 | Upper-middle income |
| 95th | $269,400 | High income |
| 99th | $555,880 | Top 1% of earners |
Source: DQYDJ / IPUMS CPS 2024. Household income includes all earners in the household.
Median Income by Age Group — North Carolina
Income typically peaks in the 45–54 age range, reflecting career progression and peak earning years. Estimates scaled from Census ACS 2023 data.
| Age Group | Median Household Income | vs. State Median |
|---|---|---|
| Under 25 | $30,508 | -54.5% |
| 25–34 | $56,200 | -16.3% |
| 35–44 | $73,862 | +10.1% |
| 45–54 | $77,877 | +16.0% |
| 55–64 | $70,651 | +5.3% |
| 65+ | $46,565 | -30.6% |
What It Means to Be Middle Class in North Carolina
Using the Pew Research Center definition — households earning between 67% and 200% of the state median — the middle class income range in North Carolina runs from $44,965 to $134,224 per year.
Lower Middle Class
$45k
67% of median
State Median
$67k
50th percentile
Upper Middle Class
$134k
200% of median
Cost of living significantly affects what it "feels like" to be middle class. A $67k income in North Carolina has different purchasing power than the same income in another state. North Carolina's lower median income may be offset by lower cost of living.
Related Calculators
Compare to Similar States
Curious about North Carolina taxes? See the North Carolina 2025 tax brackets to understand how much of your income goes to state taxes at each income level.
Frequently Asked Questions — Income Percentile in North Carolina
What is the median household income in North Carolina?
The median household income in North Carolina is $67,112 as of 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS). This means half of all households earn more and half earn less than this figure. The national median for comparison is $83,592.
What income puts you in the top 10% in North Carolina?
To be in the top 10% of earners in North Carolina, a household needs to earn at least $201,545 per year. The top 5% threshold is approximately $269,417, and the top 1% begins at $555,880.
What counts as middle class in North Carolina?
Using the Pew Research Center's definition (67%–200% of the median income), the middle-class range in North Carolina is roughly $44,965 to $134,224 per year for a household. Households below this range are lower income; above it are upper income.
Where does this income data come from?
All income percentile data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), 2024 1-Year Estimates. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and is the most comprehensive source of state-level income distribution data. CalcFi updates this data annually following each ACS release.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 1-Year Estimates, Table B19001. Percentile calculations are approximate. Last updated: March 2025.