Salisbury, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salisbury, North Carolina had a total population of 35,825, the 29th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $53,716, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Salisbury Quick Facts
How Salisbury 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 | 35,730 | 35,825 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $51,058 | $53,716 | +5.2% |
| Median home value | $215,200 | $242,500 | +12.7% |
How Salisbury 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+)
Salisbury Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Rowan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China Grove | 4,530 | $54,083 | 17.2% | $225,800 |
| Landis | 3,765 | $75,000 | 6.9% | $252,100 |
| Spencer | 3,349 | $65,465 | 11.2% | $201,700 |
| Enochville | 3,321 | $66,225 | 18.6% | $265,700 |
| Granite Quarry | 3,043 | $57,981 | 8.3% | $257,300 |
| Rockwell | 2,782 | $69,632 | 7.0% | $237,200 |
| East Spencer | 1,434 | $34,417 | 26.7% | $112,000 |
| Cleveland | 1,080 | $58,750 | 17.2% | $242,600 |
| Faith | 917 | $139,844 | 3.4% | $264,000 |
| Gold Hill | 914 | $73,187 | 12.4% | $279,600 |
Cities Similar to Salisbury
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro | 34,383 | $48,540 | $200,400 | 21.0% | 22.8% |
| New Bern | 32,734 | $61,031 | $240,100 | 29.4% | 17.3% |
| Sanford | 31,478 | $57,586 | $245,400 | 21.6% | 22.0% |
| Monroe | 36,759 | $72,540 | $309,100 | 24.1% | 13.3% |
| Statesville | 29,894 | $52,880 | $248,000 | 26.9% | 20.4% |
Population Overview
Salisbury is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Rowan County. The total population is 35,825. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salisbury is 36.5 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salisbury is $53,716. This is 26% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.3%. This is 102% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $242,500. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 51.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Salisbury is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 35.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (35.0% vs 20.0%). The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
29.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% lower 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 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salisbury, 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 Salisbury, North Carolina?
Salisbury, North Carolina has a population of 35,825 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salisbury, NC?
The median household income in Salisbury is $53,716, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salisbury, NC?
The poverty rate in Salisbury is 26.3%. This means approximately 8,567 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salisbury, North Carolina?
Salisbury's population is 49.1% White, 35.0% Black, 11.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salisbury, NC?
The median home value in Salisbury is $242,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Salisbury, North Carolina?
29.9% of adults (25+) in Salisbury hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.