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CITY · 2010 ACS

Sanford

North Carolina · 28,094 residents · 31.573 sq mi
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The short version

Sanford has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $39,231. Population has grown 21% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $131,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 33.3
US median: 37.2
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
28,094
+21%since 2000
from 23,220 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
890 / sq mi
+21%since 2000
from 735 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
33.3
+1%since 2000
from 33.1 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
13K18K23K28K33K1990201020202024Sanford
202431K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,231
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,804 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,870
+17%since 2000
from $17,038 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
22.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 21.8% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
21.3%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 17.1% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.460
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade28.4%
US avg: 10.9%
Information11.2%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade7.8%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing4.1%
US avg: 3.1%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3%
US avg: 7%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.3%
US avg: 4.2%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$131,800
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $86,100 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$627
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $497 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
37.9%
−20.0 ptssince 2000
from 57.9% in 2000
47.4% rent
Vacancy rate
11.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
25.8%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 30.4% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
41.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 43.2% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.4
+36%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sanford on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic49.6%(11,511)
Black29%(6,741)
Hispanic / Latino19%(4,419)
Asian1.1%(246)
Other0%
Diversity Score78%(18,108)
2010
White, non-Hispanic44.2%(12,416)
Black27.1%(7,622)
Hispanic / Latino25.6%(7,190)
Asian1.1%(301)
Other1.8%(492)
Diversity Score82.9%(23,297)
Diversity Score
83
+6%since 2000
from 78 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.5%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 18.6% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
75.8%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 72.2% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
5.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.0 min
+23%since 2000
from 16.3 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
72.6%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 74.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
21.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 20.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
14.0%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
10.4%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
27.6%
−31.0 ptssince 2009
from 58.7% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Female
51.2%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Foreign born
17.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
9.7%
−39.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Sanford to nearby cities

SANFORD VS
Spout Springs
Income$92,402+136%
Home value$358,500+172%
Population11,242−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANFORD VS
Anderson Creek
Income$87,287+122%
Home value$282,200+114%
Population13,927−59%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANFORD VS
Holly Springs
Income$135,578+246%
Home value$535,800+307%
Population50,288+47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANFORD VS
Siler City
Income$46,566+19%
Home value$154,600+17%
Population8,155−76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sanford, North Carolina?

Sanford, North Carolina has about 28,094 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Sanford, North Carolina earns about $39,231 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 $131,800, and the typical rent is about $627 a month.

How educated are people in Sanford, North Carolina?

About 20.5% 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 21.3% 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 13,619 residents, a change of about 94 percent over that period.

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

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