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CITY · 2020 ACS

Salisbury

North Carolina · 35,540 residents · 22.95 sq mi
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The short version

Salisbury has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,364. Population has grown 34% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $140,000. The poverty rate of 21.9% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
25% 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
35,540
+34%since 2000
from 26,462 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,549 / sq mi
+34%since 2000
from 1,153 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.6
+4%since 2000
from 37.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
22K26K29K33K37K1990201020202024Salisbury
202436K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,364
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,923 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,216
+34%since 2000
from $18,864 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
26.1%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 21.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
21.9%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 16.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade12%
US avg: 10%
Information11.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Other services3.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$140,000
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $91,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$818
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $506 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
49.3%
−4.2 ptssince 2000
from 53.5% in 2000
50.7% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+16%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salisbury on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic55.4%(14,650)
Black37.3%(9,874)
Hispanic / Latino4.3%(1,138)
Asian1.4%(365)
Other0%
Diversity Score67.1%(17,767)
2020
White, non-Hispanic44.4%(15,785)
Black35.7%(12,689)
Hispanic / Latino14.2%(5,060)
Asian1.4%(499)
Other2.9%(1,038)
Diversity Score80.6%(28,637)
Diversity Score
81
+20%since 2000
from 67 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.0%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 24.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.7%
+11.9 ptssince 2000
from 75.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 6.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
+64%since 2000
from 13.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.0%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 79.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.0%
−3.9 ptssince 2011
from 11.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
57.5%
+5.7 ptssince 2011
from 51.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.9%
−28.3 ptssince 2009
from 62.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.6%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
49.4%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
5.7%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.9%
−69.8 ptssince 2013
from 81.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Salisbury to nearby cities

SALISBURY VS
Lexington
Income$43,128−1%
Home value$179,900+28%
Population20,238−45%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALISBURY VS
Kannapolis
Income$73,836+70%
Home value$276,400+97%
Population61,708+67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALISBURY VS
Mooresville
Income$89,647+107%
Home value$390,900+179%
Population55,842+51%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALISBURY VS
Concord
Income$86,921+100%
Home value$353,700+153%
Population114,598+211%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salisbury, North Carolina?

Salisbury, North Carolina has about 35,540 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Salisbury, North Carolina earns about $43,364 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salisbury, North Carolina expensive?

In Salisbury, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $140,000, and the typical rent is about $818 a month.

How educated are people in Salisbury, North Carolina?

About 25.0% of adults age 25 and over in Salisbury, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salisbury, North Carolina?

About 21.9% of people in Salisbury, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salisbury, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Salisbury, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 12,453 residents, a change of about 54 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 →