Hillsborough town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Hillsborough town, North Carolina has a total population of 9,656, the 99th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $98,467, which is 41% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- 61.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
Hillsborough town Quick Facts
How Hillsborough town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Hillsborough town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Orange County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill town | 59,889 | $85,825 | 19.6% | $576,500 |
Cities Similar to Hillsborough town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gibsonville town | 9,289 | $105,981 | $262,400 | 38.4% | 8.4% |
| Lake Norman of Catawba CDP | 9,308 | $106,836 | $522,300 | 42.6% | 5.2% |
| Hampstead CDP | 9,129 | $90,184 | $395,900 | 38.3% | 10.1% |
| Oak Island town | 8,888 | $83,483 | $407,400 | 43.0% | 9.8% |
| Winterville town | 10,624 | $82,783 | $226,600 | 42.4% | 9.4% |
Population Overview
Hillsborough town is a small city located in North Carolina, within Orange County. The total population is 9,656. It ranks as the 99th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hillsborough town is 43.6 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hillsborough town is $98,467. This is 41% higher than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 25% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.6%. This is 34% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 1% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $430,100. Housing costs are 66% higher than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 63.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hillsborough town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.9%. The Black or African American population (9.1%) is well below the state average of 20.3%.
Education
61.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Hillsborough town in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 78% higher 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 92.2%. Notably, 30.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hillsborough town, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Hillsborough town, North Carolina?
Hillsborough town, North Carolina has a population of 9,656 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hillsborough town, NC?
The median household income in Hillsborough town is $98,467, which is 25% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Hillsborough town, NC?
The poverty rate in Hillsborough town is 8.6%. This means approximately 801 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hillsborough town, North Carolina?
Hillsborough town's population is 72.3% White, 9.1% Black, 9.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hillsborough town, NC?
The median home value in Hillsborough town is $430,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Hillsborough town, North Carolina?
61.8% of adults (25+) in Hillsborough town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 30.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.