Sanford, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sanford, North Carolina had a total population of 31,478, the 34th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $57,586, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Sanford Quick Facts
How Sanford 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 | 30,833 | 31,478 | +2.1% |
| Median household income | $54,294 | $57,586 | +6.1% |
| Median home value | $222,000 | $245,400 | +10.5% |
How Sanford 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+)
Sanford Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Sanford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Bern | 32,734 | $61,031 | $240,100 | 29.4% | 17.3% |
| Statesville | 29,894 | $52,880 | $248,000 | 26.9% | 20.4% |
| Salisbury | 35,825 | $53,716 | $242,500 | 29.9% | 26.3% |
| Thomasville | 27,321 | $60,935 | $179,300 | 15.3% | 16.3% |
| Goldsboro | 34,383 | $48,540 | $200,400 | 21.0% | 22.8% |
Population Overview
Sanford is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Lee County. The total population is 31,478. It ranks as the 34th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sanford is 34.7 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sanford is $57,586. This is 20% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.0%. This is 69% 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 4.4%. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $245,400. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 53.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sanford is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (30.0% vs 11.3%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
21.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 79.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sanford, 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 Sanford, North Carolina?
Sanford, North Carolina has a population of 31,478 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sanford, NC?
The median household income in Sanford is $57,586, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sanford, NC?
The poverty rate in Sanford is 22.0%. This means approximately 6,773 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sanford, North Carolina?
Sanford's population is 41.8% White, 23.1% Black, 30.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sanford, NC?
The median home value in Sanford is $245,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Sanford, North Carolina?
21.6% of adults (25+) in Sanford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.