Williamston, NC Demographics

A map of Williamston's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Black	2,566	3,234	50.2%	61.6%
White	1,837	1,638	35.9%	31.2%
Hispanic	350	146	6.8%	2.8%
Multiracial	192	134	3.8%	2.6%
Asian	111	60	2.2%	1.1%
Native American/Other	56	36	1.1%	0.7%

Williamston, North Carolina has an estimated population of 5,112, a slight decrease from the 5,248 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 50.2% Black, 35.9% White, 6.8% Hispanic, 3.8% Multiracial, 2.2% Asian, and 1.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Williamston, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Williamston has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more 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 Williamston, that probability was 52.1% in 2020 and 61.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Williamston is ranked the 162nd 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). Williamston was ranked the 154th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Williamston's White Population

1,837 residents of Williamston, or 35.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Williamston is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Williamston ranks 708th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Williamston's White population has grown by an estimated 12.1%. White residents' share of Williamston's population has increased from 31.2% to 35.9%.

Williamston is more White than neighboring Hamilton (28% White), and Robersonville (29.1% White). Williamston is less White than neighboring Bear Grass (97.7% White), Everetts (79.8% White), and Jamesville (62.8% White).

Williamston's Black Population

2,566 residents of Williamston, or 50.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Williamston is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Williamston ranks 41st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Williamston's Black population has declined by an estimated 20.7%. Black residents' share of Williamston's population has decreased from 61.6% to 50.2%.

Williamston is more Black than neighboring Bear Grass (0% Black), Everetts (11.4% Black), and Jamesville (24.3% Black). Williamston is less Black than neighboring Hamilton (55.1% Black), and Robersonville (66.9% Black).

Williamston's Asian Population

111 residents of Williamston, or 2.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Williamston is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Williamston ranks 228th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Williamston's Asian population has grown by an estimated 85.0%. Asian residents' share of Williamston's population has increased from 1.1% to 2.2%.

Williamston is more Asian than neighboring Bear Grass (0% Asian), Everetts (0% Asian), Jamesville (0% Asian), Hamilton (0% Asian), and Robersonville (0% Asian).

Williamston's Hispanic Population

350 residents of Williamston, or 6.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Williamston is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Williamston ranks 629th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Williamston's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 139.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Williamston's population has increased from 2.8% to 6.8%.

Williamston is more Hispanic than neighboring Bear Grass (0% Hispanic), and Robersonville (1.4% Hispanic). Williamston is less Hispanic than neighboring Everetts (7.3% Hispanic), Jamesville (7.7% Hispanic), and Hamilton (12.3% Hispanic).

Williamston's Native American/Other Population

56 residents of Williamston, or 1.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Williamston is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Williamston ranks 438th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Williamston's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 55.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Williamston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Williamston is more Native American/Other than neighboring Bear Grass (0% Native American/Other), Jamesville (0% Native American/Other), and Robersonville (0% Native American/Other). Williamston is less Native American/Other than neighboring Everetts (1.6% Native American/Other), and Hamilton (1.6% Native American/Other).

Williamston's Multiracial Population

192 residents of Williamston, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Williamston is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Williamston ranks 631st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Williamston's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 43.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Williamston's population has increased from 2.6% to 3.8%.

Williamston is more Multiracial than neighboring Bear Grass (2.3% Multiracial), Everetts (0% Multiracial), Hamilton (2.9% Multiracial), and Robersonville (2.6% Multiracial). Williamston is less Multiracial than neighboring Jamesville (5.3% 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.