Garner, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Garner, North Carolina had a total population of 34,473, the 30th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $78,756, which is 9% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Garner Quick Facts
How Garner 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 | 32,543 | 34,473 | +5.9% |
| Median household income | $77,496 | $78,756 | +1.6% |
| Median home value | $320,300 | $355,000 | +10.8% |
How Garner 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+)
Garner Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | 481,031 | $85,395 | 11.9% | $415,800 |
| Cary | 179,306 | $134,905 | 5.7% | $580,200 |
| Apex | 70,630 | $144,135 | 2.3% | $576,100 |
| Wake Forest | 52,844 | $123,802 | 4.5% | $474,500 |
| Holly Springs | 45,248 | $135,578 | 4.8% | $535,800 |
| Fuquay-Varina | 40,485 | $115,497 | 8.2% | $451,500 |
| Morrisville | 31,422 | $125,396 | 3.1% | $518,800 |
| Clayton | 29,320 | $78,822 | 5.9% | $329,600 |
| Knightdale | 20,214 | $103,220 | 5.3% | $380,100 |
| Wendell | 13,064 | $95,787 | 3.2% | $330,500 |
Cities Similar to Garner
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe | 36,759 | $72,540 | $309,100 | 24.1% | 13.3% |
| Clayton | 29,320 | $78,822 | $329,600 | 40.4% | 5.9% |
| New Bern | 32,734 | $61,031 | $240,100 | 29.4% | 17.3% |
| Leland | 29,607 | $91,977 | $398,900 | 43.7% | 6.1% |
| Salisbury | 35,825 | $53,716 | $242,500 | 29.9% | 26.3% |
Population Overview
Garner is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Wake County. The total population is 34,473. It ranks as the 30th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Garner is 37.7 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Garner is $78,756. This is 9% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 2% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.4%. This is 35% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 32% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $355,000. Housing costs are 23% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 63.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Garner is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 25.1%.
Education
46.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 94.8%. Notably, 17.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Garner, 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 Garner, North Carolina?
Garner, North Carolina has a population of 34,473 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Garner, NC?
The median household income in Garner is $78,756, which is 2% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Garner, NC?
The poverty rate in Garner is 8.4%. This means approximately 2,877 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Garner, North Carolina?
Garner's population is 52.0% White, 25.1% Black, 13.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Garner, NC?
The median home value in Garner is $355,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Garner, North Carolina?
46.5% of adults (25+) in Garner hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.