Hillsborough is home to 9,724 people in North Carolina. Since 2000 the city has risen by half, up 4,278 people. 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, against 36% nationally. That puts it in the top 8% of US cities for household income. That is roughly 36% ahead of the North Carolina median. At a median age of 42.5, this is an older place than the country as a whole.
At a glance
Wealthier
median household income $98,163, above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.5
US median: 38.9
More educated
61% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 137%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Hillsborough
What changed most since 1990
White share58.2% → 73.9%(+15.7 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Median home value (2024 dollars)$140,884 → $460,100(+227%)US over the same years: +67%
Black share38.8% → 8.2%(−30.6 pts)US over the same years: +0.2 pts
Hillsborough's population equals 6.5% of Orange County's. Its number of residents living in poverty equals 4.1% of the county's. Its number of foreign-born residents equals 4.9% of the county's.
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)28.4%(130)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)40.9%(187)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era36.5%(167)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War2.2%(10)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 457 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Hillsborough, decade by decade
Hillsborough population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
4,263
$52,979
$140,884
17.9%
63.7
2000
5,446
$73,068
$193,824
25.0%
65.8
2010
6,087
$70,654
$247,578
36.0%
68.8
2020
9,660
$79,499
$354,885
56.8%
69.8
2024
9,724
$98,163
$460,100
61.4%
54.3
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in Hillsborough, North Carolina?
Hillsborough, North Carolina has about 9,724 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Hillsborough, North Carolina?
The typical household in Hillsborough, North Carolina earns about $98,163 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Hillsborough, North Carolina expensive?
In Hillsborough, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $460,100, and the typical rent is about $1,368 a month.
How educated are people in Hillsborough, North Carolina?
About 61.4% of adults age 25 and over in Hillsborough, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Hillsborough, North Carolina?
About 8.0% of people in Hillsborough, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.
Has Hillsborough, North Carolina grown since 1990?
Yes, Hillsborough, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,461 residents, a change of about 128 percent over that period.
