Chapel Hill, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chapel Hill, North Carolina had a total population of 61,607, the 17th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $85,989, which is 19% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 76.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.1x the median household income.
Chapel Hill Quick Facts
How Chapel Hill 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 | 59,889 | 61,607 | +2.9% |
| Median household income | $85,825 | $85,989 | +0.2% |
| Median home value | $576,500 | $613,700 | +6.5% |
How Chapel Hill 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+)
Chapel Hill Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Durham County
Cities Similar to Chapel Hill
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kannapolis | 57,890 | $73,836 | $276,400 | 29.7% | 12.6% |
| Mooresville | 52,381 | $89,647 | $390,900 | 45.5% | 7.3% |
| Huntersville | 63,969 | $120,516 | $472,900 | 57.5% | 3.1% |
| Burlington | 59,610 | $56,880 | $199,200 | 29.6% | 16.4% |
| Wake Forest | 52,844 | $123,802 | $474,500 | 59.5% | 4.5% |
Population Overview
Chapel Hill is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Durham County. The total population is 61,607. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chapel Hill is 25.8 years. This is 34% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chapel Hill is $85,989. This is 19% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 7% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.6%. This is 43% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $613,700. Housing costs are 112% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 47.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chapel Hill is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.8% of the population. Asian residents account for 13.4%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (13.4% vs 3.3%).
Education
76.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Chapel Hill in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 115% 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 96.2%. Notably, 45.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chapel Hill, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Chapel Hill, North Carolina?
Chapel Hill, North Carolina has a population of 61,607 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chapel Hill, NC?
The median household income in Chapel Hill is $85,989, which is 7% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chapel Hill, NC?
The poverty rate in Chapel Hill is 18.6%. This means approximately 9,411 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chapel Hill, North Carolina?
Chapel Hill's population is 62.8% White, 11.3% Black, 7.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 13.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chapel Hill, NC?
The median home value in Chapel Hill is $613,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.1x.
How educated is Chapel Hill, North Carolina?
76.6% of adults (25+) in Chapel Hill hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 45.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.