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CITY · 2020 ACS

Graham

North Carolina · 17,157 residents · 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 $41,499. Population has grown 34% since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $146,100. The poverty rate of 24.8% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 27% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,157
+34%since 2000
from 12,833 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,607 / sq mi
+34%since 2000
from 1,202 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.7
+13%since 2000
from 34.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
10K12K14K17K19K1990201020202024Graham
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,499
−23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,706 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,200
+30%since 2000
from $17,865 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
21.9%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 23.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
24.8%
+9.9 ptssince 2000
from 14.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade17.3%
US avg: 10%
Information14.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance5.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade5.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing5%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.1%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$146,100
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $92,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$768
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $546 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
52.5%
−2.8 ptssince 2000
from 55.3% in 2000
47.5% rent
Afford Score
3.5
+36%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic49.1%(8,420)
Black25.8%(4,426)
Hispanic / Latino18.7%(3,213)
Asian1.3%(222)
Other5.5%(942)
Diversity Score82.1%(14,090)
Diversity Score
82
+34%since 2000
from 61 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.7%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 16.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.0%
+13.8 ptssince 2000
from 72.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.8%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.6 min
+77%since 2000
from 13.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
86.9%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 84.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.6%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 10.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.4%
−5.8 ptssince 2011
from 66.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.4%
−29.7 ptssince 2009
from 58.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
52.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
8.2%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.4%
−64.7 ptssince 2013
from 77.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Graham to nearby cities

GRAHAM VS
Burlington
Income$56,880+37%
Home value$199,200+36%
Population61,496+205%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GRAHAM VS
Mebane
Income$83,174+100%
Home value$338,900+132%
Population21,952+9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GRAHAM VS
Elon
Income$84,773+104%
Home value$366,300+151%
Population11,366−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GRAHAM VS
Gibsonville
Income$95,861+131%
Home value$298,000+104%
Population9,876−51%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Graham, North Carolina?

Graham, North Carolina has about 17,157 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Graham, North Carolina earns about $41,499 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 $146,100, and the typical rent is about $768 a month.

How educated are people in Graham, North Carolina?

About 20.7% 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 24.8% 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 6,731 residents, a change of about 65 percent over that period.

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

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