Hillsborough, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hillsborough, North Carolina had a total population of 9,724, the 100th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $98,163, which is 36% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- 61.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
Hillsborough Quick Facts
How Hillsborough 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 | 9,656 | 9,724 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $98,467 | $98,163 | -0.3% |
| Median home value | $430,100 | $460,100 | +7.0% |
How Hillsborough 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Hillsborough Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Orange County
Cities Similar to Hillsborough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gibsonville | 9,467 | $95,861 | $298,000 | 37.1% | 5.8% |
| Hampstead | 9,292 | $91,745 | $402,100 | 38.3% | 9.5% |
| Lake Norman of Catawba | 9,906 | $112,656 | $492,600 | 44.0% | 4.2% |
| Oak Island | 9,030 | $85,872 | $456,500 | 43.6% | 8.7% |
| Spout Springs | 11,242 | $92,402 | $358,500 | 41.4% | 4.2% |
Population Overview
Hillsborough is a small city located in North Carolina, within Orange County. The total population is 9,724. It ranks as the 100th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hillsborough is 42.5 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hillsborough is $98,163. This is 36% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 22% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.0%. This is 39% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $460,100. Housing costs are 59% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 63.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hillsborough is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.2%. The Black or African American population (8.2%) is well below the state average of 20.0%.
Education
61.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Hillsborough in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 72% 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 93.5%. Notably, 31.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hillsborough, 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.
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 Hillsborough, North Carolina?
Hillsborough, North Carolina has a population of 9,724 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hillsborough, NC?
The median household income in Hillsborough is $98,163, which is 22% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hillsborough, NC?
The poverty rate in Hillsborough is 8.0%. This means approximately 745 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hillsborough, North Carolina?
Hillsborough's population is 73.9% White, 8.2% Black, 8.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hillsborough, NC?
The median home value in Hillsborough is $460,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Hillsborough, North Carolina?
61.4% of adults (25+) in Hillsborough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 31.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.