Durham, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Durham, North Carolina had a total population of 291,467, the 4th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $81,619, which is 13% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Durham is the 4th largest city in North Carolina with a population of 291,467.
- 57.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in North Carolina (diversity index: 70/100).
Durham Quick Facts
How Durham 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 | 288,465 | 291,467 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $81,619 | +3.0% |
| Median home value | $355,300 | $392,800 | +10.6% |
How Durham 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Durham Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Durham County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill | 61,607 | $85,989 | 18.6% | $613,700 |
| Gorman | 1,591 | $47,297 | 18.8% | N/A |
| Rougemont | 703 | $104,327 | 5.5% | $298,500 |
Cities Similar to Durham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro | 301,198 | $61,515 | $244,800 | 41.0% | 17.0% |
| Winston-Salem | 252,037 | $59,268 | $233,800 | 39.5% | 17.7% |
| Fayetteville | 210,815 | $58,407 | $188,000 | 29.0% | 17.7% |
| Raleigh | 481,031 | $85,395 | $415,800 | 54.0% | 11.9% |
| Cary | 179,306 | $134,905 | $580,200 | 70.5% | 5.7% |
Population Overview
Durham is a major urban center located in North Carolina, within Durham County. The total population is 291,467. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Durham is 35.1 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Durham is $81,619. This is 13% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 1% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $392,800. Housing costs are 36% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 52.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Durham 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 33.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (33.2% vs 20.0%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.8% vs 3.3%).
Education
57.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Durham in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 61% 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 92.2%. Notably, 27.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Durham, 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 Durham, North Carolina?
Durham, North Carolina has a population of 291,467 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Durham, NC?
The median household income in Durham is $81,619, which is 1% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Durham, NC?
The poverty rate in Durham is 11.7%. This means approximately 32,806 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Durham, North Carolina?
Durham's population is 40.3% White, 33.2% Black, 15.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Durham, NC?
The median home value in Durham is $392,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Durham, North Carolina?
57.3% of adults (25+) in Durham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 27.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.