Nags Head, NC Demographics

A map of Nags Head's Population by Race

Nags Head, North Carolina has an estimated population of 3,160, a less than 1% change from the 3,168 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 93.6% White, 2.9% Hispanic, 1.8% Multiracial, 1.1% Asian, 0.7% Black, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Nags Head, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Nags Head has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Nags Head, that probability was 16.5% in 2020 and 12.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Nags Head is ranked the 254th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Nags Head was ranked the 248th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Nags Head's White Population

2,957 residents of Nags Head, or 93.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Nags Head is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Nags Head ranks 70th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Nags Head's White population has grown by an estimated 2.3%. White residents' share of Nags Head's population has increased from 91.3% to 93.6%.

Nags Head is more White than neighboring Manteo (76.4% White), Kill Devil Hills (80.8% White), Wanchese (91.8% White), Kitty Hawk (83.7% White), and Manns Harbor (70% White).

Nags Head's Black Population

21 residents of Nags Head, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Nags Head is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Nags Head ranks 700th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Nags Head's Black population has declined by an estimated 8.7%. Black residents' share of Nags Head's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Nags Head is more Black than neighboring Wanchese (0% Black), Kitty Hawk (0% Black), and Manns Harbor (0% Black). Nags Head is less Black than neighboring Manteo (7.4% Black), and Kill Devil Hills (1.2% Black).

Nags Head's Asian Population

34 residents of Nags Head, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Nags Head is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Nags Head ranks 322nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Nags Head's Asian population has grown by an estimated 36.0%. Asian residents' share of Nags Head's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Nags Head is more Asian than neighboring Manteo (0% Asian), Wanchese (0% Asian), Kitty Hawk (0.3% Asian), and Manns Harbor (0% Asian). Nags Head is less Asian than neighboring Kill Devil Hills (1.3% Asian).

Nags Head's Hispanic Population

91 residents of Nags Head, or 2.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Nags Head is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Nags Head ranks 567th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Nags Head's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 21.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Nags Head's population has decreased from 3.7% to 2.9%.

Nags Head is less Hispanic than neighboring Manteo (12.2% Hispanic), Kill Devil Hills (11.2% Hispanic), Wanchese (4.7% Hispanic), Kitty Hawk (5% Hispanic), and Manns Harbor (30% Hispanic).

Nags Head's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Nags Head, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Nags Head is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Nags Head ranks 429th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Nags Head's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Nags Head's population has decreased from 0.7% to 0.0%.

Nags Head is less Native American/Other than neighboring Manteo (1.7% Native American/Other), Kill Devil Hills (0.9% Native American/Other), and Kitty Hawk (4.5% Native American/Other).

Nags Head's Multiracial Population

57 residents of Nags Head, or 1.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Nags Head is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Nags Head ranks 587th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Nags Head's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 37.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Nags Head's population has decreased from 2.9% to 1.8%.

Nags Head is more Multiracial than neighboring Manns Harbor (0% Multiracial). Nags Head is less Multiracial than neighboring Manteo (2.4% Multiracial), Kill Devil Hills (4.6% Multiracial), Wanchese (3.6% Multiracial), and Kitty Hawk (6.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.