Durham city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Durham city, North Carolina has a total population of 288,465, the 4th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $79,234, which is 13% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Durham city is the 4th largest city in North Carolina with a population of 288,465.
- 55.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
Durham city Quick Facts
How Durham city 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+)
Durham city Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Durham city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro city | 298,564 | $58,884 | $221,300 | 39.9% | 18.4% |
| Winston-Salem city | 250,887 | $57,673 | $208,200 | 37.2% | 17.9% |
| Fayetteville city | 209,692 | $56,395 | $171,900 | 28.6% | 18.1% |
| Raleigh city | 470,763 | $82,424 | $377,800 | 52.9% | 11.4% |
| Cary town | 176,686 | $129,399 | $525,200 | 70.2% | 5.3% |
Population Overview
Durham city is a major urban center located in North Carolina. The total population is 288,465. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Durham city is 34.8 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Durham city is $79,234. This is 13% higher than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is about average. The poverty rate stands at 12.2%. This is 7% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $355,300. Housing costs are 37% higher than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 51.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Durham city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 34.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (34.2% vs 20.3%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.6% vs 3.1%).
Education
55.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Durham city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 60% 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 91.4%. Notably, 26.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Durham city, 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 Durham city, North Carolina?
Durham city, North Carolina has a population of 288,465 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Durham city, NC?
The median household income in Durham city is $79,234, which is about average the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Durham city, NC?
The poverty rate in Durham city is 12.2%. This means approximately 33,919 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Durham city, North Carolina?
Durham city's population is 40.5% White, 34.2% Black, 14.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Durham city, NC?
The median home value in Durham city is $355,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Durham city, North Carolina?
55.7% of adults (25+) in Durham city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.