Briar Chapel, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Briar Chapel, North Carolina had a total population of 6,049, the 147th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $166,063, which is 129% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 129% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 0.6% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- 81.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Briar Chapel Quick Facts
How Briar Chapel Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,084 | 6,049 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $154,583 | $166,063 | +7.4% |
| Median home value | $508,300 | $570,300 | +12.2% |
How Briar Chapel Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Briar Chapel Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Chatham County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siler City | 7,995 | $46,566 | 33.9% | $154,600 |
| Pittsboro | 4,752 | $81,639 | 11.7% | $376,300 |
| Fearrington Village | 2,356 | $86,116 | 5.5% | $472,600 |
| Governors Village | 2,295 | $125,857 | 14.9% | $602,100 |
| Governors Club | 1,787 | $235,625 | 0.0% | $889,500 |
| Moncure | 1,039 | $54,076 | 1.1% | N/A |
| Carolina Meadows | 555 | $126,007 | 1.8% | $443,800 |
| Goldston | 379 | $39,538 | 5.5% | $190,700 |
| Bennett | 262 | N/A | 0.0% | $149,700 |
| Gulf | 178 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Briar Chapel
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westport | 5,915 | $131,908 | $580,000 | 45.4% | 2.5% |
| Stokesdale | 6,004 | $121,071 | $379,100 | 43.2% | 5.6% |
| Moyock | 5,684 | $115,244 | $405,100 | 31.6% | 6.8% |
| Oak Ridge | 7,744 | $155,385 | $529,300 | 57.0% | 3.6% |
| Whispering Pines | 5,211 | $126,450 | $464,800 | 67.0% | 5.3% |
Population Overview
Briar Chapel is a small city located in North Carolina, within Chatham County. The total population is 6,049. It ranks as the 147th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Briar Chapel is 42.0 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Briar Chapel is $166,063. This is 129% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 106% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 0.6%. This is 95% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 73% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $570,300. Housing costs are 97% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 93.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Briar Chapel is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.5% of the population. Asian residents account for 5.4%. The Black or African American population (5.1%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.4% vs 3.3%).
Education
81.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Briar Chapel in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 129% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 99.3%. Notably, 43.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Briar Chapel, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Briar Chapel, North Carolina?
Briar Chapel, North Carolina has a population of 6,049 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Briar Chapel, NC?
The median household income in Briar Chapel is $166,063, which is 106% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Briar Chapel, NC?
The poverty rate in Briar Chapel is 0.6%. This means approximately 36 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Briar Chapel, North Carolina?
Briar Chapel's population is 70.5% White, 5.1% Black, 4.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Briar Chapel, NC?
The median home value in Briar Chapel is $570,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Briar Chapel, North Carolina?
81.6% of adults (25+) in Briar Chapel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 43.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.