Winston-Salem city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Winston-Salem city, North Carolina has a total population of 250,887, the 5th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $57,673, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Winston-Salem city is the 5th largest city in North Carolina with a population of 250,887.
Winston-Salem city Quick Facts
How Winston-Salem 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+)
Winston-Salem city Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Winston-Salem city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro city | 298,564 | $58,884 | $221,300 | 39.9% | 18.4% |
| Fayetteville city | 209,692 | $56,395 | $171,900 | 28.6% | 18.1% |
| Durham city | 288,465 | $79,234 | $355,300 | 55.7% | 12.2% |
| Cary town | 176,686 | $129,399 | $525,200 | 70.2% | 5.3% |
| Wilmington city | 118,578 | $63,900 | $350,300 | 45.8% | 16.3% |
Population Overview
Winston-Salem city is a major urban center located in North Carolina. The total population is 250,887. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Winston-Salem city is 35.6 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Winston-Salem city is $57,673. This is 17% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 27% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.9%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $208,200. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 54.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Winston-Salem city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 31.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (31.8% vs 20.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.9% vs 10.9%).
Education
37.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% 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 88.4%. Notably, 15.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem city, North Carolina?
Winston-Salem city, North Carolina has a population of 250,887 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Winston-Salem city, NC?
The median household income in Winston-Salem city is $57,673, which is 27% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Winston-Salem city, NC?
The poverty rate in Winston-Salem city is 17.9%. This means approximately 43,179 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Winston-Salem city, North Carolina?
Winston-Salem city's population is 44.0% White, 31.8% Black, 17.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Winston-Salem city, NC?
The median home value in Winston-Salem city is $208,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Winston-Salem city, North Carolina?
37.2% of adults (25+) in Winston-Salem city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.