Carrboro town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Carrboro town, North Carolina has a total population of 21,170, the 47th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $85,927, which is 23% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.3%.
Key Takeaways
- 70.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
Carrboro town Quick Facts
How Carrboro town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carrboro town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Carrboro town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemmons village | 21,574 | $84,326 | $306,900 | 49.1% | 7.9% |
| Knightdale town | 19,532 | $91,638 | $331,900 | 44.2% | 5.8% |
| Mebane city | 18,899 | $84,312 | $295,600 | 40.7% | 7.1% |
| Waxhaw town | 21,565 | $128,115 | $506,300 | 54.9% | 4.3% |
| Mount Holly city | 17,928 | $75,928 | $286,400 | 37.9% | 8.2% |
Population Overview
Carrboro town is a small city located in North Carolina. The total population is 21,170. It ranks as the 47th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carrboro town is 34.0 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carrboro town is $85,927. This is 23% higher than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 9% higher. The poverty rate stands at 11.3%. This is 15% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $507,100. Housing costs are 95% higher than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 43.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carrboro town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (7.9% vs 3.1%).
Education
70.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Carrboro town in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 103% higher than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.0%. Notably, 43.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carrboro town, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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 Carrboro town, North Carolina?
Carrboro town, North Carolina has a population of 21,170 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carrboro town, NC?
The median household income in Carrboro town is $85,927, which is 9% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Carrboro town, NC?
The poverty rate in Carrboro town is 11.3%. This means approximately 2,376 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carrboro town, North Carolina?
Carrboro town's population is 64.0% White, 12.8% Black, 11.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carrboro town, NC?
The median home value in Carrboro town is $507,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is Carrboro town, North Carolina?
70.4% of adults (25+) in Carrboro town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 43.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.