Zebulon, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Zebulon, North Carolina had a total population of 8,711, the 110th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $79,112, which is 9% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Zebulon Quick Facts
How Zebulon 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 | 7,961 | 8,711 | +9.4% |
| Median household income | $58,940 | $79,112 | +34.2% |
| Median home value | $275,400 | $320,700 | +16.4% |
How Zebulon 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+)
Zebulon 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 Zebulon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Mountain | 8,513 | $77,042 | $358,900 | 56.3% | 5.9% |
| Oak Island | 9,030 | $85,872 | $456,500 | 43.6% | 8.7% |
| Aberdeen | 9,228 | $75,078 | $314,900 | 31.9% | 10.5% |
| Fletcher | 8,098 | $75,272 | $331,100 | 39.8% | 7.6% |
| Butner | 8,065 | $74,739 | $231,100 | 27.0% | 15.0% |
Population Overview
Zebulon is a small city located in North Carolina, within Wake County. The total population is 8,711. It ranks as the 110th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Zebulon is 38.3 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Zebulon is $79,112. This is 9% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 2% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.0%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $320,700. Housing costs are 11% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 62.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Zebulon is Black or African American, making up 45.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (29.0%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (45.6% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.9% vs 11.3%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
30.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% 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 80.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Zebulon, 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 Zebulon, North Carolina?
Zebulon, North Carolina has a population of 8,711 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Zebulon, NC?
The median household income in Zebulon is $79,112, which is 2% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Zebulon, NC?
The poverty rate in Zebulon is 9.0%. This means approximately 773 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Zebulon, North Carolina?
Zebulon's population is 29.0% White, 45.6% Black, 22.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Zebulon, NC?
The median home value in Zebulon is $320,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Zebulon, North Carolina?
30.9% of adults (25+) in Zebulon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.