Graham, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Graham, North Carolina had a total population of 18,048, the 59th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $56,239, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Graham Quick Facts
How Graham 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 | 17,537 | 18,048 | +2.9% |
| Median household income | $54,783 | $56,239 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $200,600 | $233,800 | +16.6% |
How Graham 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+)
Graham Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Alamance County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mebane | 19,538 | $83,174 | 7.2% | $338,900 |
| Elon | 11,032 | $84,773 | 20.0% | $366,300 |
| Glen Raven | 3,506 | $63,173 | 16.7% | $224,000 |
| Green Level | 3,230 | $55,823 | 19.0% | $168,400 |
| Haw River | 2,824 | $61,058 | 25.1% | $162,400 |
| Swepsonville | 2,517 | $100,559 | 4.1% | $311,200 |
| Saxapahaw | 1,301 | $59,000 | 15.1% | $194,000 |
| Alamance | 1,267 | $99,375 | 10.3% | $407,300 |
| Woodlawn | 1,085 | $72,734 | 0.0% | $327,600 |
| Ossipee | 795 | $70,417 | 14.2% | $125,700 |
Cities Similar to Graham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Havelock | 17,691 | $58,408 | $207,700 | 18.7% | 14.3% |
| Morganton | 17,646 | $51,355 | $221,700 | 26.1% | 25.7% |
| Lenoir | 18,299 | $49,910 | $179,400 | 21.2% | 14.6% |
| Elizabeth City | 18,871 | $52,141 | $187,700 | 27.2% | 13.3% |
| Hope Mills | 17,939 | $65,774 | $190,600 | 23.4% | 14.1% |
Population Overview
Graham is a small city located in North Carolina, within Alamance County. The total population is 18,048. It ranks as the 59th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Graham is 37.8 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Graham is $56,239. This is 22% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.8%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 44% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $233,800. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 53.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Graham is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.2% vs 11.3%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
24.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 88.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Graham, 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 Graham, North Carolina?
Graham, North Carolina has a population of 18,048 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Graham, NC?
The median household income in Graham is $56,239, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Graham, NC?
The poverty rate in Graham is 16.8%. This means approximately 2,978 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Graham, North Carolina?
Graham's population is 53.9% White, 22.0% Black, 18.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Graham, NC?
The median home value in Graham is $233,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Graham, North Carolina?
24.7% of adults (25+) in Graham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.