Fayetteville, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fayetteville, North Carolina had a total population of 210,815, the 6th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $58,407, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Fayetteville Quick Facts
How Fayetteville 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 | 209,692 | 210,815 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $56,395 | $58,407 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $171,900 | $188,000 | +9.4% |
How Fayetteville 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+)
Fayetteville Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Cumberland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hope Mills | 17,939 | $65,774 | 14.1% | $190,600 |
| Spring Lake | 11,573 | $51,958 | 17.7% | $124,000 |
| Eastover | 3,666 | $85,156 | 13.4% | $241,600 |
| Vander | 1,922 | $66,993 | 23.4% | $231,800 |
| Stedman | 1,670 | $107,250 | 7.5% | $218,800 |
| Wade | 518 | $70,938 | 19.3% | $215,000 |
| Falcon | 272 | N/A | 44.5% | $204,200 |
| Godwin | 203 | $53,542 | 16.3% | $158,300 |
| Linden | 129 | $66,250 | 25.6% | $150,000 |
Cities Similar to Fayetteville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem | 252,037 | $59,268 | $233,800 | 39.5% | 17.7% |
| Greensboro | 301,198 | $61,515 | $244,800 | 41.0% | 17.0% |
| Durham | 291,467 | $81,619 | $392,800 | 57.3% | 11.7% |
| Cary | 179,306 | $134,905 | $580,200 | 70.5% | 5.7% |
| Wilmington | 120,805 | $66,738 | $383,800 | 46.8% | 16.0% |
Population Overview
Fayetteville is a major urban center located in North Carolina, within Cumberland County. The total population is 210,815. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fayetteville is 30.6 years. This is 22% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fayetteville is $58,407. This is 19% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.7%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.9%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $188,000. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 47.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fayetteville is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (41.5% vs 20.0%).
Education
29.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% lower 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 93.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, North Carolina?
Fayetteville, North Carolina has a population of 210,815 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fayetteville, NC?
The median household income in Fayetteville is $58,407, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fayetteville, NC?
The poverty rate in Fayetteville is 17.7%. This means approximately 34,483 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fayetteville, North Carolina?
Fayetteville's population is 34.2% White, 41.5% Black, 13.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fayetteville, NC?
The median home value in Fayetteville is $188,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Fayetteville, North Carolina?
29.0% of adults (25+) in Fayetteville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.