Township 8
RANK #567 / 996 NAT · #31 / 51 NC · POP 101,098
1YR FORECAST: +1.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
Craven County, North Carolina, is perhaps best known for New Bern, its county seat, which holds the distinction of being North Carolina's second-oldest town and its original colonial capital. Situated in the Coastal Plain region, New Bern lies at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, approximately 30 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. This waterfront setting provides abundant outdoor recreation, including boating, fishing, and paddleboarding, with easy access to the Croatan National Forest for hiking and camping. The community offers a blend of historic charm and natural scenery. Life in Craven County attracts a diverse population, including young families and retirees. Craven County Schools serves the area with 25 schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools, and two early college programs. The economy is significantly influenced by Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock, which contributes nearly $2 billion annually to the region and employs thousands of military and civilian personnel. Other economic drivers include advanced manufacturing, retail trade, and healthcare.
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.7x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
N.C. 43 Connector Highway
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Community Solar Portfolio
Multiple (e.g., Strata Manager, LLC, Cypress Creek Renewables)
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Battery Energy Storage Systems (Maysville)
North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives (FlexGen, Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative)
|
$40M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Craven County scores 43/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#567). Median household income is $61,676 and job growth is running at +0.2%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Craven County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $194,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,056/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Craven County are both close to flat — population -0.3% YoY and jobs +0.2%. Home values shifted +2.5% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.08% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Craven County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.