Wendell, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wendell, North Carolina had a total population of 13,064, the 80th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $95,787, which is 32% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.2% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Wendell Quick Facts
How Wendell 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 | 11,585 | 13,064 | +12.8% |
| Median household income | $93,848 | $95,787 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $316,700 | $330,500 | +4.4% |
How Wendell 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+)
Wendell Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | 481,031 | $85,395 | 11.9% | $415,800 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Wendell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewisville | 13,828 | $100,917 | $325,400 | 47.8% | 10.2% |
| Anderson Creek | 13,927 | $87,287 | $282,200 | 35.0% | 14.6% |
| Myrtle Grove | 12,637 | $113,463 | $439,100 | 46.4% | 6.2% |
| Spout Springs | 11,242 | $92,402 | $358,500 | 41.4% | 4.2% |
| Belmont | 15,546 | $94,883 | $395,000 | 51.1% | 7.9% |
Population Overview
Wendell is a small city located in North Carolina, within Wake County. The total population is 13,064. It ranks as the 80th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wendell is 38.0 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wendell is $95,787. This is 32% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 19% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.2%. This is 76% 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 1.3%. This is 72% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $330,500. Housing costs are 14% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 78.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wendell is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 24.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (24.4% vs 11.3%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
38.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% 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 91.8%. Notably, 15.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wendell, 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 Wendell, North Carolina?
Wendell, North Carolina has a population of 13,064 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wendell, NC?
The median household income in Wendell is $95,787, which is 19% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wendell, NC?
The poverty rate in Wendell is 3.2%. This means approximately 416 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wendell, North Carolina?
Wendell's population is 47.6% White, 24.5% Black, 24.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wendell, NC?
The median home value in Wendell is $330,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Wendell, North Carolina?
38.2% of adults (25+) in Wendell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.