Oak Ridge, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oak Ridge, North Carolina had a total population of 7,744, the 125th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $155,385, which is 115% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 115% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.6% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- 57.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
Oak Ridge Quick Facts
How Oak Ridge 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 | 7,660 | 7,744 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $140,583 | $155,385 | +10.5% |
| Median home value | $523,500 | $529,300 | +1.1% |
How Oak Ridge 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Oak Ridge Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Guilford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro | 301,198 | $61,515 | 17.0% | $244,800 |
| High Point | 116,245 | $64,561 | 15.7% | $235,800 |
| Burlington | 59,610 | $56,880 | 16.4% | $199,200 |
| Kernersville | 27,830 | $71,918 | 12.6% | $290,700 |
| Archdale | 12,087 | $64,757 | 5.2% | $198,000 |
| Summerfield | 11,116 | $160,275 | 7.1% | $521,900 |
| Gibsonville | 9,467 | $95,861 | 5.8% | $298,000 |
| Stokesdale | 6,004 | $121,071 | 5.6% | $379,100 |
| Pleasant Garden | 5,060 | $88,204 | 9.7% | $223,500 |
| Forest Oaks | 4,293 | $107,604 | 20.4% | $349,300 |
Cities Similar to Oak Ridge
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porters Neck | 7,654 | $119,979 | $569,700 | 66.5% | 3.8% |
| Ogden | 8,249 | $121,338 | $463,700 | 49.5% | 4.8% |
| St. James | 7,072 | $116,383 | $636,800 | 68.3% | 4.3% |
| Wesley Chapel | 9,090 | $132,188 | $535,500 | 47.7% | 4.5% |
| Mills River | 7,281 | $105,398 | $436,100 | 43.7% | 2.6% |
Population Overview
Oak Ridge is a small city located in North Carolina, within Guilford County. The total population is 7,744. It ranks as the 125th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oak Ridge is 44.2 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oak Ridge is $155,385. This is 115% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 92% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.6%. This is 72% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $529,300. Housing costs are 83% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 92.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Oak Ridge is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.4% of the population. Asian residents account for 10.8%. The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (10.8% vs 3.3%).
Education
57.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Oak Ridge in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 60% 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 98.2%. Notably, 25.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge, North Carolina?
Oak Ridge, North Carolina has a population of 7,744 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oak Ridge, NC?
The median household income in Oak Ridge is $155,385, which is 92% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oak Ridge, NC?
The poverty rate in Oak Ridge is 3.6%. This means approximately 280 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oak Ridge, North Carolina?
Oak Ridge's population is 77.4% White, 2.2% Black, 5.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oak Ridge, NC?
The median home value in Oak Ridge is $529,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Oak Ridge, North Carolina?
57.0% of adults (25+) in Oak Ridge hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 25.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.