Winston-Salem, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Winston-Salem, North Carolina had a total population of 252,037, the 5th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $59,268, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Winston-Salem is the 5th largest city in North Carolina with a population of 252,037.
Winston-Salem Quick Facts
How Winston-Salem 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 | 250,887 | 252,037 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $59,268 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $208,200 | $233,800 | +12.3% |
How Winston-Salem 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+)
Winston-Salem Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Forsyth County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemmons | 21,871 | $87,655 | 6.5% | $335,800 |
| Lewisville | 13,828 | $100,917 | 10.2% | $325,400 |
| King | 7,408 | $57,817 | 7.0% | $238,200 |
| Walkertown | 5,873 | $82,615 | 10.8% | $236,900 |
| Rural Hall | 3,466 | $51,054 | 9.4% | $189,600 |
| Tobaccoville | 2,664 | $80,263 | 8.5% | $234,200 |
| Germanton | 1,087 | $62,108 | 7.4% | $237,100 |
| Bethania | 443 | $87,866 | 15.6% | $290,000 |
Cities Similar to Winston-Salem
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | 210,815 | $58,407 | $188,000 | 29.0% | 17.7% |
| Greensboro | 301,198 | $61,515 | $244,800 | 41.0% | 17.0% |
| Durham | 291,467 | $81,619 | $392,800 | 57.3% | 11.7% |
| Cary | 179,306 | $134,905 | $580,200 | 70.5% | 5.7% |
| Wilmington | 120,805 | $66,738 | $383,800 | 46.8% | 16.0% |
Population Overview
Winston-Salem is a major urban center located in North Carolina, within Forsyth County. The total population is 252,037. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Winston-Salem is 35.9 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Winston-Salem is $59,268. This is 18% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.7%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $233,800. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 55.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Winston-Salem 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 31.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (31.2% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.2% vs 11.3%).
Education
39.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% 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 89.1%. Notably, 16.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
Winston-Salem, North Carolina has a population of 252,037 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Winston-Salem, NC?
The median household income in Winston-Salem is $59,268, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Winston-Salem, NC?
The poverty rate in Winston-Salem is 17.7%. This means approximately 42,925 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
Winston-Salem's population is 43.6% White, 31.2% Black, 18.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Winston-Salem, NC?
The median home value in Winston-Salem is $233,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
39.5% of adults (25+) in Winston-Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.