Tyrrell County

Key demographics: Tyrrell County, North Carolina

Population size

• Total population: 3,245 (2020 Decennial Census)

Age

• Median age: 47 years (2020)
• Age distribution: under 18: 17%; 18–64: 61%; 65 and over: 22% (2020)

Gender

• Male: 55%
• Female: 45% (2020)

Racial/ethnic composition (percent of total population, 2020)

• White (non-Hispanic): 55%
• Black or African American (non-Hispanic): 36%
• Hispanic or Latino (any race): 7%
• Two or more races (non-Hispanic): 2%
• Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, and other single races combined: ~1%

Household data (2020)

• Total households: ~1,300
• Average household size: 2.4
• Family households: ~61% of households; nonfamily: ~39%
• Housing tenure: owner-occupied ~76%; renter-occupied ~24%

Notable insights

• Tyrrell is North Carolina’s least-populous county.
• The age structure skews older than the state overall, with about one in five residents 65+.
• The county has a relatively high share of Black residents compared with the statewide average and a modest Hispanic/Latino presence.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census (Demographic and Housing Characteristics data tables) and related summary tabulations.

Tyrrell County, NC snapshot

• Population and density: ≈3,300 residents; ≈8–9 people per square mile (lowest density in North Carolina).
• Estimated email users: ≈2,350 adult users (≈90% of ≈2,600 adults; ≈71% of total residents).

Age distribution of email users (counts approximate)

• 18–34: ≈590 (≈25%)
• 35–64: ≈1,250 (≈53%)
• 65+: ≈510 (≈22%)

Gender split

• Population is male-skewed; ≈56% male, 44% female. Email users mirror this: ≈1,310 men, ≈1,040 women.

Digital access and usage context

• Broadband subscription: ≈73% of households subscribe to broadband; ≈27% do not.
• Device access: ≈83% of households have a computer; ≈17% lack one.
• Mobile-only: ≈16–20% of households rely on cellular data plans only, pushing email toward smartphone use and limiting multi-device access.
• Adoption gap: Overall internet/broadband adoption trails urban NC by roughly 10–15 percentage points, tempering countywide email penetration.

Trends and local connectivity

• Connectivity is concentrated in and around Columbia and primary corridors; more remote areas see patchier fixed service.
• Fiber and fixed‑wireless buildouts are improving access, but affordability and older-age adoption remain key constraints on email usage growth.

Mobile phone usage in Tyrrell County, NC — summary and how it differs from statewide patterns

Core user estimates

• Population baseline: ~3,200–3,300 residents; ~2,500–2,600 adults (18+).
• Mobile phone users: roughly 2,400–2,500 adults use a mobile phone (≈95% of adults, in line with national “any cellphone” ownership, but with a higher share of basic/feature phones among seniors than statewide).
• Smartphone users: approximately 2,050–2,150 adults (≈80–85% of adults), a few points lower than the North Carolina average due to an older age profile and lower incomes.
• Mobile-reliant households: about one-quarter to one-third of households rely on a cellular data plan as their only internet subscription, noticeably higher than the statewide share (statewide ≈12–15%; Tyrrell ≈24–30%).

Demographic patterns that shape usage

• Age: A larger 65+ share than the state leads to lower smartphone penetration within that cohort and more basic-phone use, plus slower device upgrade cycles. Adult smartphone adoption among seniors lags the NC average by several points.
• Income: Median household income is materially below the state average; prepaid plans and mobile-only internet use are more common. This raises the share of households substituting mobile data for fixed broadband.
• Race/ethnicity: Tyrrell’s higher share of Black residents (and a notable Hispanic minority) interacts with income and housing to increase mobile-only reliance compared with statewide averages, consistent with national digital divide patterns.
• Housing/dispersal: More dispersed, rural housing increases the likelihood of weak indoor signal away from the US-64 corridor, reinforcing mobile usage patterns that favor carriers with stronger low-band coverage and external antennas/hotspots.

Digital infrastructure and coverage

• Network footprint: 4G LTE coverage is broadly available along primary roads (notably US-64 and in/around Columbia), with gaps and weaker indoor performance in low-lying pocosin/wetland areas and low-density roads. 5G low-band coverage is present along main corridors; mid-band 5G is spotty and largely tied to US-64 and town centers.
• Tower density: Fewer macro sites per square mile than typical NC counties; large cell radii serve expansive tracts, creating edge-of-cell performance issues off-corridor.
• Backhaul: Limited middle-mile fiber off the highway spine constrains capacity upgrades in interior areas relative to the NC average.
• Public assets: Schools, county facilities, and the library anchor pockets of stronger service and Wi‑Fi access in Columbia; connectivity degrades quickly with distance from these anchors.
• Investment status: Tyrrell is identified as underserved on recent state broadband maps, making it a priority target for GREAT/BEAD-funded builds. Fiber expansions are concentrated along US‑64 and in/near Columbia; many outlying areas remain dependent on mobile data or satellite.

How Tyrrell differs from North Carolina overall

• Higher mobile-only reliance: Tyrrell’s cellular-only households are roughly 10–15 percentage points higher than the statewide share. Residents are more likely to use smartphones and hotspots as their primary home connection.
• Lower fixed-broadband adoption: Household broadband subscription rates trail NC by about 10–15 points, reflecting availability, affordability, and housing patterns.
• Older-device mix and prepaid skew: A higher fraction of basic phones among seniors and greater prepaid plan use than the state average; upgrade cycles are longer, which slows 5G adoption.
• Corridor-centric performance: Service quality is significantly better along US‑64 than in the interior; the statewide pattern is less corridor-dependent due to denser tower grids in suburban/metro counties.
• Slower 5G capacity rollout: Low-band 5G is present but mid-band capacity is limited away from the highway spine; statewide, mid-band 5G availability is broader in metros and many suburbs.

Actionable implications

• Network planning: Additional macro or small-cell sites off US‑64 and improved backhaul would materially reduce edge-of-cell issues and raise median speeds.
• Affordability and inclusion: ACP-replacement subsidies and carrier prepaid discounts will disproportionately impact connectivity in Tyrrell compared to the state.
• Public access: Expanding library/school Wi‑Fi hours and community hotspots fills critical gaps where fixed broadband remains unavailable or unaffordable.

Bottom line

• Nearly all adults in Tyrrell use mobile phones, but a meaningfully higher share than the state relies on those phones as their only internet link. Coverage and performance are strong along US‑64 yet fragile in dispersed interior areas, and mid-band 5G capacity lags the statewide rollout. Demographics (older, lower-income, more rural) amplify prepaid usage, mobile-only reliance, and slower device refresh, keeping mobile usage patterns distinct from North Carolina’s overall profile.

Social media usage in Tyrrell County, NC (2025 snapshot)

How many people use social media

• Population: ≈3.2K residents (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 estimate)
• Adults (18+): ≈2.6K
• Active social media users: ≈1.9K adults (≈72% of adults use at least one platform; rate based on latest Pew Research for rural U.S.)

Most-used platforms (share of adults; rural-adjusted)

• YouTube: ~78%
• Facebook: ~67%
• Instagram: ~40%
• TikTok: ~30%
• Snapchat: ~24%
• X (Twitter): ~19%
• Pinterest: ~29%
• LinkedIn: ~22%
• Nextdoor: ~11% Note: Percentages reflect the expected share of Tyrrell adults using each platform, applying the latest rural U.S. adoption rates to the county.

Age patterns (what people use)

• 13–17: Snapchat and TikTok are dominant; YouTube is near-universal for entertainment and how‑tos.
• 18–29: Multi-platform; heavy on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat; Facebook used for family ties and local groups.
• 30–49: Facebook and YouTube anchor daily use; Instagram rising; TikTok use is common but more passive.
• 50–64: Facebook is primary; YouTube for news/how‑tos; Instagram adoption growing; TikTok still minority use.
• 65+: Facebook-first (keeping up with family, local info); YouTube for tutorials and church/community content.

Gender breakdown (tendencies)

• Women: Over-index on Facebook and Pinterest; strong Instagram use among under‑50.
• Men: Over-index on YouTube, X, and Reddit; Facebook used for groups/Marketplace, less for posting.
• Messaging: Facebook Messenger is the default cross‑age DM channel; SMS remains common for coordination.

Behavioral trends in Tyrrell (rural Eastern NC pattern)

• Facebook is the hub for community life: local news, school sports, churches, civic updates, hunting/fishing groups, and Marketplace.
• Short-form video growth: Facebook Reels/Instagram Reels/TikTok perform best when local faces, places, or events are featured.
• Commerce: Facebook Marketplace is the most active local buying/selling venue (autos, equipment, yard sales); Instagram is secondary for local boutiques/crafts.
• Information-seeking: YouTube is the go‑to for repairs, DIY, farm/boat maintenance, and product research.
• Timing: Engagement peaks early morning (6–8 a.m.) and evenings (7–10 p.m.), with a midday bump; weekends skew to Marketplace and events.
• Trust signals matter: Real names, recognizable local landmarks, and community affiliations outperform polished “ad-like” creative.
• Connectivity constraints: Patchy cellular/broadband in outlying areas favors shorter videos, captions, and posts that don’t require high bandwidth; saveable how‑to content performs well.
• Local discovery: Events spread via Facebook Events and shares in groups; hashtags help on Instagram/TikTok but word‑of‑mouth and group reposts drive reach.

Method note and sources

• County-level platform adoption is not directly published. Figures above apply Pew Research Center’s latest national/rural adoption rates to Tyrrell’s adult population to produce local estimates. Key references: Pew Research Center (Social Media Use in 2023–2024; platform adoption by age/gender and community type), U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Tyrrell County population, 2023).