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Chowan County, NC
4 cities and towns and 2 ZIP codes in Chowan County, North Carolina.
Population
13,836
Land area
173sq mi
People per sq mi
80
ZIP codes
2
Cities and towns in Chowan County
Chowan County at a glance
- Chowan County is 64% less dense than North Carolina as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $53,864 a year, 26% less than the North Carolina figure of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $235,800 (18% below North Carolina) and median rent is $681 a month.
- The biggest population centers are Edenton (4,494), Arrowhead Beach (1,242) and Cape Colony (509).
Local data for Chowan County, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Chowan County, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$53,864
Poverty rate
19.1%
Median home value
$235,800
Prices +10.3% in a year
Median rent
$681/mo
Homeownership
70.5%
Bachelor's or higher
25.0%
Median age
48.6
Average commute
27.8 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (788), German Americans (686), Italian Americans (388).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
2.9%
Sep 2026, -0.6 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$51,286
5,060 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$57,700
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$129M
FY 2026, $9,440 per person
PPP loans
$15.7M
281 loans, 2,311 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$238K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Chowan County, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone78.2%
- Carpooled9.6%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked2.1%
- Bicycle1.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.1%
- Worked from home8.0%
Average one-way commute: 27.8 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Chowan County, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very Low
Top: hurricane
Storm events since 1996
197
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
246
3.4% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
89° / 34°F
51.0 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone20 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Chowan County, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
40.4%
U.S. 33.3% +7.1 pts
Diabetes
17.0%
U.S. 12.1% +4.9 pts
Smoking
16.8%
U.S. 12.8% +4.0 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
11.2%
U.S. 11.1% about the same
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Chowan County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Chowan County, NC?
- Edenton is the largest city or town in Chowan County, with about 4,494 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Chowan County?
- Chowan County includes 2 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 27932, 27980.
- What is the population of Chowan County, NC?
- About 13,836 people live in Chowan County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Chowan County?
- Chowan County borders Hertford County, Perquimans County, Gates County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023