The county has a low population density with approximately 43,379 citizens. The county has small towns and communities with no town having a population greater than 3,381. Duplin County has a per capita personal income of $20,574, ranking fifty-eighth among 100 counties. ((State Financial Data, 2000-, Statistical Research and Data Center/Financial and Personal Services)

Duplin County Schools serve 8,405 students in fifteen schools grades K-12. The school population is 37% black, 48% white, 14% Hispanic and 1% other. School grade configuration patterns are (1) four K-5 schools, (2) three K-8 schools, (3) one K-6, (4) three 6-8 schools, (5) one 7-12 school, and (6) three 9-12 schools. The dropout rate for Duplin County Schools is 4.01% for grades 7-12.