Fayetteville city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Fayetteville city, North Carolina has a total population of 209,692, the 6th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $56,395, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Fayetteville city Quick Facts
How Fayetteville 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+)
Fayetteville city Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Fayetteville city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem city | 250,887 | $57,673 | $208,200 | 37.2% | 17.9% |
| Greensboro city | 298,564 | $58,884 | $221,300 | 39.9% | 18.4% |
| Durham city | 288,465 | $79,234 | $355,300 | 55.7% | 12.2% |
| Cary town | 176,686 | $129,399 | $525,200 | 70.2% | 5.3% |
| Wilmington city | 118,578 | $63,900 | $350,300 | 45.8% | 16.3% |
Population Overview
Fayetteville city is a major urban center located in North Carolina. The total population is 209,692. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fayetteville city is 30.7 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fayetteville city is $56,395. This is 19% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.1%. This is 37% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 70% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $171,900. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 46.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fayetteville city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (41.0% vs 20.3%).
Education
28.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% lower 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 93.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville city, North Carolina?
Fayetteville city, North Carolina has a population of 209,692 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fayetteville city, NC?
The median household income in Fayetteville city is $56,395, which is 28% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Fayetteville city, NC?
The poverty rate in Fayetteville city is 18.1%. This means approximately 34,959 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fayetteville city, North Carolina?
Fayetteville city's population is 34.8% White, 41.0% Black, 13.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fayetteville city, NC?
The median home value in Fayetteville city is $171,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Fayetteville city, North Carolina?
28.6% of adults (25+) in Fayetteville city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.