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CITY · 2020 ACS

Chapel Hill

North Carolina · 61,960 residents · 21.656 sq mi
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The short version

Chapel Hill is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $75,249. Population has grown 27% since 2000. 77% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $435,500. At a median age of 26.5, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 33% more than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 26.5
US median: 38.8
More educated
77% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 33%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
61,960
+27%since 2000
from 48,715 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,861 / sq mi
+27%since 2000
from 2,249 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
26.5
+10%since 2000
from 24.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
36K43K50K57K64K1990201020202024Chapel Hill
202462K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$75,249
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,140 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,893
+74%since 2000
from $24,133 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
50.1%
+13.3 ptssince 2009
from 36.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.5%
−3.1 ptssince 2000
from 21.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information7%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services4.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade4.6%
US avg: 10%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Wholesale trade1.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance1.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$435,500
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $217,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,221
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $690 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
45.0%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 42.9% in 2000
55.0% rent
Afford Score
5.8
+4%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic62.4%(38,678)
Black9.4%(5,848)
Hispanic / Latino7.6%(4,734)
Asian15%(9,275)
Other3.7%(2,290)
Diversity Score69.5%(43,037)
Diversity Score
69
+48%since 2000
from 47 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
76.9%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 73.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 94.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
48.8%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 40.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.3 min
+77%since 2000
from 11.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
53.7%
−8.7 ptssince 2009
from 62.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.2%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.1%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 5.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
59.0%
+1.6 ptssince 2011
from 57.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
61.2%
−19.9 ptssince 2009
from 81.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.5%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Female
52.5%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Foreign born
15.7%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.4%
−87.1 ptssince 2013
from 91.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chapel Hill

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Pop 58,814
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Places similar to Chapel Hill
Head to head

Compare Chapel Hill to nearby cities

CHAPEL HILL VS
Carrboro
Income$85,743+14%
Home value$539,400+24%
Population20,962−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAPEL HILL VS
Durham
Income$81,619+8%
Home value$392,800−10%
Population305,561+381%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAPEL HILL VS
Hillsborough
Income$98,163+30%
Home value$460,100+6%
Population9,778−85%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAPEL HILL VS
Morrisville
Income$125,396+67%
Home value$518,800+19%
Population32,466−49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina?

Chapel Hill, North Carolina has about 61,960 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Chapel Hill, North Carolina earns about $75,249 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 $435,500, and the typical rent is about $1,221 a month.

How educated are people in Chapel Hill, North Carolina?

About 76.9% 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 18.5% 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 23,198 residents, a change of about 60 percent over that period.

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

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