Raleigh, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Raleigh, North Carolina had a total population of 481,031, the 2nd largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $85,395, which is 18% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Raleigh is the 2nd largest city in North Carolina with a population of 481,031.
- 54.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
Raleigh Quick Facts
How Raleigh 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 | 470,763 | 481,031 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $85,395 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $377,800 | $415,800 | +10.1% |
How Raleigh 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+)
Raleigh Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cary | 179,306 | $134,905 | 5.7% | $580,200 |
| Apex | 70,630 | $144,135 | 2.3% | $576,100 |
| Wake Forest | 52,844 | $123,802 | 4.5% | $474,500 |
| Holly Springs | 45,248 | $135,578 | 4.8% | $535,800 |
| Fuquay-Varina | 40,485 | $115,497 | 8.2% | $451,500 |
| Garner | 34,473 | $78,756 | 8.4% | $355,000 |
| Morrisville | 31,422 | $125,396 | 3.1% | $518,800 |
| Clayton | 29,320 | $78,822 | 5.9% | $329,600 |
| Knightdale | 20,214 | $103,220 | 5.3% | $380,100 |
| Wendell | 13,064 | $95,787 | 3.2% | $330,500 |
Cities Similar to Raleigh
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham | 291,467 | $81,619 | $392,800 | 57.3% | 11.7% |
| Greensboro | 301,198 | $61,515 | $244,800 | 41.0% | 17.0% |
| Charlotte | 903,844 | $82,068 | $385,700 | 48.0% | 11.7% |
| Winston-Salem | 252,037 | $59,268 | $233,800 | 39.5% | 17.7% |
| Fayetteville | 210,815 | $58,407 | $188,000 | 29.0% | 17.7% |
Population Overview
Raleigh is a major urban center located in North Carolina, within Wake County. The total population is 481,031. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Raleigh 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 is $85,395. This is 18% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 6% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $415,800. Housing costs are 44% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 50.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Raleigh is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 26.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.1% vs 3.3%).
Education
54.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Raleigh in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 51% 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 92.6%. Notably, 21.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, North Carolina?
Raleigh, North Carolina has a population of 481,031 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Raleigh, NC?
The median household income in Raleigh is $85,395, which is 6% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Raleigh, NC?
The poverty rate in Raleigh is 11.9%. This means approximately 54,989 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Raleigh, North Carolina?
Raleigh's population is 51.1% White, 26.0% Black, 12.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Raleigh, NC?
The median home value in Raleigh is $415,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Raleigh, North Carolina?
54.0% of adults (25+) in Raleigh hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.