Carrboro, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carrboro, North Carolina had a total population of 21,204, the 47th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $85,743, which is 18% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 69.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
Carrboro Quick Facts
How Carrboro 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 | 21,170 | 21,204 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $85,927 | $85,743 | -0.2% |
| Median home value | $507,100 | $539,400 | +6.4% |
How Carrboro 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carrboro Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Orange County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough | 9,724 | $98,163 | 8.0% | $460,100 |
| Efland | 1,611 | $65,735 | 5.1% | $234,600 |
Cities Similar to Carrboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemmons | 21,871 | $87,655 | $335,800 | 49.4% | 6.5% |
| Mebane | 19,538 | $83,174 | $338,900 | 40.4% | 7.2% |
| Knightdale | 20,214 | $103,220 | $380,100 | 48.9% | 5.3% |
| Mount Holly | 18,208 | $79,385 | $337,800 | 36.7% | 8.2% |
| Waxhaw | 22,275 | $131,894 | $549,400 | 55.0% | 4.5% |
Population Overview
Carrboro is a small city located in North Carolina, within Orange County. The total population is 21,204. It ranks as the 47th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carrboro is 33.4 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carrboro is $85,743. This is 18% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 6% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.2%. This is 7% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $539,400. Housing costs are 87% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 43.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carrboro is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.6%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (7.2% vs 3.3%).
Education
69.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Carrboro in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 96% 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 94.3%. Notably, 43.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carrboro, 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 Carrboro, North Carolina?
Carrboro, North Carolina has a population of 21,204 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carrboro, NC?
The median household income in Carrboro is $85,743, which is 6% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carrboro, NC?
The poverty rate in Carrboro is 12.2%. This means approximately 2,568 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carrboro, North Carolina?
Carrboro's population is 61.2% White, 12.9% Black, 13.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carrboro, NC?
The median home value in Carrboro is $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.3x.
How educated is Carrboro, North Carolina?
69.9% of adults (25+) in Carrboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 43.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.