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CITY

Graham

North Carolina · 20,131 residents (2025 est.) · 10.675 sq mi
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The short version

Graham has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $56,239. Population has grown 41% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $233,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 37.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 39%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
18,048
+41%since 2000
from 12,833 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,691 / sq mi
+41%since 2000
from 1,202 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.8
+10%since 2000
from 34.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:20,131 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
10K12K14K17K19K1990201020202024Graham
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,239
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,706 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,057
+79%since 2000
from $17,865 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
34.7%
+11.0 ptssince 2009
from 23.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.8%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 14.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.412
+1%since 2010
from 0.407 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade17.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance6.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services2.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$233,800
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $92,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,071
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $546 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
53.2%
−2.1 ptssince 2000
from 55.3% in 2000
46.8% rent
Vacancy rate
9.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.0%
−9.6 ptssince 2009
from 23.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
41.3%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 43.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.2
+61%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
57
RELATED:See current rent listings in Graham on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic66.5%(8,530)
Black21.5%(2,753)
Hispanic / Latino10.1%(1,301)
Asian0.7%(94)
Other0%
Diversity Score61.2%(7,853)
2024
White, non-Hispanic53.9%(9,730)
Black22%(3,977)
Hispanic / Latino18.2%(3,282)
Asian0.7%(126)
Other5.2%(933)
Diversity Score78.1%(14,100)
Diversity Score
78
+28%since 2000
from 61 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.7%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 16.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.7%
+16.4 ptssince 2000
from 72.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.8%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.6 min
+92%since 2000
from 13.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.2%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 84.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.1%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.3%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.7%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.7%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.8%
−3.8 ptssince 2011
from 10.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.8%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 66.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.4%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.3%
−24.9 ptssince 2009
from 58.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
51.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
11.0%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.5%
−42.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2012
from 12.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.8%
−65.3 ptssince 2013
from 77.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.7%
+18.2 ptssince 2017
from 71.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
83.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2016
from 83.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
15.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2016
from 15.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Graham to nearby cities

GRAHAM VS
Burlington
Income$56,880+1%
Home value$199,200−15%
Population61,496+205%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GRAHAM VS
Mebane
Income$83,174+48%
Home value$338,900+45%
Population21,952+9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GRAHAM VS
Elon
Income$84,773+51%
Home value$366,300+57%
Population11,366−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GRAHAM VS
Gibsonville
Income$95,861+70%
Home value$298,000+27%
Population9,876−51%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Graham, North Carolina?

Graham, North Carolina has about 18,048 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Graham, North Carolina earns about $56,239 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Graham, North Carolina expensive?

In Graham, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $233,800, and the typical rent is about $1,071 a month.

How educated are people in Graham, North Carolina?

About 24.7% of adults age 25 and over in Graham, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Graham, North Carolina?

About 16.8% of people in Graham, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Graham, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Graham, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 7,622 residents, a change of about 73 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 →