Raleigh city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Raleigh city, North Carolina has a total population of 470,763, the 2nd largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $82,424, which is 18% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Raleigh city is the 2nd largest city in North Carolina with a population of 470,763.
- 52.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
Raleigh city Quick Facts
How Raleigh city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Raleigh city Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Raleigh city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham city | 288,465 | $79,234 | $355,300 | 55.7% | 12.2% |
| Greensboro city | 298,564 | $58,884 | $221,300 | 39.9% | 18.4% |
| Charlotte city | 886,283 | $78,438 | $351,500 | 47.4% | 11.7% |
| Winston-Salem city | 250,887 | $57,673 | $208,200 | 37.2% | 17.9% |
| Fayetteville city | 209,692 | $56,395 | $171,900 | 28.6% | 18.1% |
Population Overview
Raleigh city is a major urban center located in North Carolina. The total population is 470,763. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Raleigh city is 34.7 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Raleigh city is $82,424. This is 18% higher than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 5% higher. The poverty rate stands at 11.4%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $377,800. Housing costs are 46% higher than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 51.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Raleigh city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 27.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.7% vs 3.1%).
Education
52.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Raleigh city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 52% 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 92.5%. Notably, 20.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Raleigh city, 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.
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 Raleigh city, North Carolina?
Raleigh city, North Carolina has a population of 470,763 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Raleigh city, NC?
The median household income in Raleigh city is $82,424, which is 5% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Raleigh city, NC?
The poverty rate in Raleigh city is 11.4%. This means approximately 51,737 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Raleigh city, North Carolina?
Raleigh city's population is 51.4% White, 27.0% Black, 12.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Raleigh city, NC?
The median home value in Raleigh city is $377,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Raleigh city, North Carolina?
52.9% of adults (25+) in Raleigh city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.