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CITY · 2010 ACS

Chapel Hill

North Carolina · 57,233 residents · 21.656 sq mi
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The short version

Chapel Hill has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $52,785. Population has grown 17% since 2000. 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $356,400. At a median age of 25.6, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Despite a median home value of $356,400, the poverty rate sits 61% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 25.6
US median: 37.2
More educated
75% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
57,233
+17%since 2000
from 48,715 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,643 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 2,249 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
25.6
+7%since 2000
from 24.0 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
36K43K50K57K64K1990201020202024Chapel Hill
202462K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,785
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,140 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,710
+40%since 2000
from $24,133 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
40.2%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 36.8% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
22.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 21.6% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.560
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information9%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade4.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services3.7%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade2.6%
US avg: 7.2%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 2.4%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 3.1%
Finance & insurance0.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical0.4%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$356,400
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $217,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$848
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $690 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
34.6%
−8.3 ptssince 2000
from 42.9% in 2000
52.4% rent
Vacancy rate
8.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
21.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 21.5% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
55.6%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 59.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
6.8
+22%since 2000
from 5.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chapel Hill on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic76.1%(37,073)
Black11.3%(5,517)
Hispanic / Latino3.2%(1,564)
Asian7.2%(3,496)
Other0%
Diversity Score46.9%(22,823)
2010
White, non-Hispanic69.5%(39,777)
Black9.5%(5,460)
Hispanic / Latino6.4%(3,638)
Asian11.8%(6,775)
Other2%(1,172)
Diversity Score60.2%(34,482)
Diversity Score
60
+29%since 2000
from 47 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
75.1%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 73.7% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
95.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 94.3% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
45.6%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 40.5% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.8 min
+72%since 2000
from 11.5 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
62.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 62.4% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
7.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
10.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
10.2%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
2.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
9.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
23.1%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 22.8% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
59.9%
−21.1 ptssince 2009
from 81.1% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Female
54.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Foreign born
16.2%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.4% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
4.2%
−40.3 ptssince 2009
from 44.5% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chapel Hill

Bozeman
Pop 58,814
The Hammocks
Pop 58,838
Delray Beach
Pop 69,809
Palm Harbor
Pop 61,512
Places similar to Chapel Hill
Head to head

Compare Chapel Hill to nearby cities

CHAPEL HILL VS
Carrboro
Income$85,743+62%
Home value$539,400+51%
Population20,962−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAPEL HILL VS
Durham
Income$81,619+55%
Home value$392,800+10%
Population305,561+381%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAPEL HILL VS
Hillsborough
Income$98,163+86%
Home value$460,100+29%
Population9,778−85%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAPEL HILL VS
Morrisville
Income$125,396+138%
Home value$518,800+46%
Population32,466−49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina?

Chapel Hill, North Carolina has about 57,233 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chapel Hill, North Carolina?

The typical household in Chapel Hill, North Carolina earns about $52,785 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chapel Hill, North Carolina expensive?

In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $356,400, and the typical rent is about $848 a month.

How educated are people in Chapel Hill, North Carolina?

About 75.1% of adults age 25 and over in Chapel Hill, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chapel Hill, North Carolina?

About 22.2% of people in Chapel Hill, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chapel Hill, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Chapel Hill, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 18,471 residents, a change of about 48 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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