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CITY · 2020 ACS

Durham

North Carolina · 283,506 residents · 116.754 sq mi
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The short version

Durham has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $61,962. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 52% since 2000. 51% 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 $243,000. At a median age of 33.9, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.9
US median: 38.8
More educated
51% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
283,506
+52%since 2000
from 187,035 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,428 / sq mi
+52%since 2000
from 1,602 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
33.9
+9%since 2000
from 31.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
121K168K214K260K307K1990201020202024Durham
2024291K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$61,962
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,160 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,136
+60%since 2000
from $22,526 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
42.1%
+13.4 ptssince 2009
from 28.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 15.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information9%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade6.6%
US avg: 10%
Other services6.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade5.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$243,000
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $125,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,098
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $657 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
48.5%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 48.9% in 2000
51.5% rent
Afford Score
3.9
+29%since 2000
from 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Durham on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic42.4%(79,277)
Black43.5%(81,370)
Hispanic / Latino8.6%(16,012)
Asian3.6%(6,782)
Other0%
Diversity Score75.9%(142,027)
2020
White, non-Hispanic38.6%(109,401)
Black35.8%(101,442)
Hispanic / Latino15.3%(43,470)
Asian5.6%(15,917)
Other3.8%(10,911)
Diversity Score86.2%(244,440)
Diversity Score
86
+14%since 2000
from 76 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
51.2%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 41.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.7%
+7.1 ptssince 2000
from 82.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
24.5%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 18.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.8 min
+78%since 2000
from 12.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
74.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 73.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.4%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.7%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 8.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
69.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2011
from 69.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
51.8%
−20.3 ptssince 2009
from 72.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.9%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
Female
53.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
Foreign born
14.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.3%
−70.6 ptssince 2013
from 82.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Neighborhoods in Durham

Hope ValleyNeighborhoods in Durham
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Head to head

Compare Durham to nearby cities

DURHAM VS
Chapel Hill
Income$85,989+39%
Home value$613,700+153%
Population63,565−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DURHAM VS
Morrisville
Income$125,396+102%
Home value$518,800+113%
Population32,466−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DURHAM VS
Carrboro
Income$85,743+38%
Home value$539,400+122%
Population20,962−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DURHAM VS
Hillsborough
Income$98,163+58%
Home value$460,100+89%
Population9,778−97%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Durham, North Carolina?

Durham, North Carolina has about 283,506 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Durham, North Carolina?

The typical household in Durham, North Carolina earns about $61,962 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Durham, North Carolina expensive?

In Durham, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $243,000, and the typical rent is about $1,098 a month.

How educated are people in Durham, North Carolina?

About 51.2% of adults age 25 and over in Durham, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Durham, North Carolina?

About 14.2% of people in Durham, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Durham, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Durham, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 146,912 residents, a change of about 108 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →