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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Sanford

North Carolina · 23,220 residents · 31.573 sq mi
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The short version

Sanford has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $34,804. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 60% since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $86,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 33.1
US median: 35.2
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
23,220
+60%since 1990
from 14,475 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
735 / sq mi
+60%since 1990
from 458 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
33.1
−5%since 1990
from 34.7 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
13K18K23K28K33K1990201020202024Sanford
202431K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$34,804
+25%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $21,205 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,038
+53%since 1990
from $11,164 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
17.1%
−3.9 ptssince 1990
from 21.1% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$86,100
+26%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $52,000 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$497
+6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $356 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
57.9%
−0.6 ptssince 1990
from 58.5% in 1990
42.1% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+1%since 1990
from 2.5 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sanford on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic63.2%(9,154)
Black35%(5,067)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(235)
Asian0.7%(95)
Diversity Score61.7%(8,933)
2000
White, non-Hispanic49.6%(11,511)
Black29%(6,741)
Hispanic / Latino19%(4,419)
Asian1.1%(246)
Diversity Score78%(18,108)
Diversity Score
78
+26%since 1990
from 62 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.6%
+3.8 ptssince 1990
from 14.8% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
72.2%
+1.8 ptssince 1990
from 70.5% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
6.7%
+2.2 ptssince 1990
from 4.5% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.3 min
−5%since 1990
from 17.1 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Sanford

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Pop 33,890
Biscayne Gardens
Pop 35,472
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Pop 35,873
East Lake-Orient Park
Pop 29,213
Places similar to Sanford
Head to head

Compare Sanford to nearby cities

SANFORD VS
Spout Springs
Income$92,402+165%
Home value$358,500+316%
Population11,242−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANFORD VS
Anderson Creek
Income$87,287+151%
Home value$282,200+228%
Population13,927−59%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANFORD VS
Holly Springs
Income$135,578+290%
Home value$535,800+522%
Population50,288+47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANFORD VS
Siler City
Income$46,566+34%
Home value$154,600+80%
Population8,155−76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sanford, North Carolina?

Sanford, North Carolina has about 23,220 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Sanford, North Carolina earns about $34,804 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sanford, North Carolina expensive?

In Sanford, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $86,100, and the typical rent is about $497 a month.

How educated are people in Sanford, North Carolina?

About 18.6% of adults age 25 and over in Sanford, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sanford, North Carolina?

About 17.1% of people in Sanford, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sanford, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Sanford, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 8,745 residents, a change of about 60 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 →