Princeton is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, Princeton had a population of 1,315. Each May the town celebrates Princeton Community Day, a festival dedicated to promoting community involvement and town pride. The town holds municipal elections in November in odd-number years to elect its mayor and town council.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code27569

Area code919

Living in Princeton

Housing in Princeton

$273K▲ 3.3% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Princeton home is worth about $273,000, up 3.3% in a year, 18% below the North Carolina typical home.

Only 1 sale in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Work & commute in Princeton

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Princeton for work: only 1% work in town. The top destinations are Smithfield (13%), Raleigh (13%) and Goldsboro (6%). Half commute less than 27 miles.

Smithfield

13%

Raleigh

13%

Goldsboro

Clayton

1%Work in townlive and work in Princeton 27 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 285Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Princeton →

Health in Princeton

Health Grade D

Healthier than 12% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 41% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with North Carolina

17worse than NC

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 15 are too close to call.

Conditions 6▼ 6 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 2▼ 5 close Mind 3▼ 2 close Everyday needs 4▼ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

26.8%More older adults who have lost all their teethNC 13.9% · worse 23.4%More adults facing food insecurityNC 15.2% · worse 12.4%More adults facing a utility shut-offNC 8.1% · worse

Care nearby

Johnston HealthSmithfield · 9.7 mi · ER

Goshen Medical Center - Rosewood WellnessGoldsboro · 6.4 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthNo shortage

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Princeton · CMS · HRSAHealth in Princeton →

Natural hazards in Princeton

Low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 20% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes🌀 Hurricanes

2Does Princeton flood?paid flood claims since 2021 7Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Princeton

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Princeton →

Climate in Princeton

Full climate →

Princeton has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 90°, a January night drops to 32°, and snow is almost unheard of.

55° / 34°Winter

73° / 49°Spring

89° / 68°Summer

73° / 51°Fall

How much snow does Princeton get?Almost none.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Nov 5, with the last in spring around Mar 29.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.9° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Princeton →

Schools in Princeton

All Princeton schools →

B⁻

School Grade B-

The public schools Princeton’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 53% of North Carolina’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictJohnston County Public SchoolsSchools2

Princeton Elementary B-Elementary · Grades PK–5 · 770 students Princeton High C+High · Grades 6–12 · 988 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within NC. Ratings are from neighbors.