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CITY · 2020 ACS

Sanford

North Carolina · 30,261 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 $47,017. Population has grown 30% 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 $144,900.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.2
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
30,261
+30%since 2000
from 23,220 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
958 / sq mi
+30%since 2000
from 735 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.2
+6%since 2000
from 33.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
13K18K23K28K33K1990201020202024Sanford
202431K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,017
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,804 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,371
+37%since 2000
from $17,038 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
26.6%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 21.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
20.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 17.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade24.5%
US avg: 10%
Information9.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade9.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services3.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.2%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$144,900
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $86,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$780
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $497 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
51.9%
−6.0 ptssince 2000
from 57.9% in 2000
48.1% rent
Afford Score
3.1
+25%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic42.2%(12,785)
Black23.6%(7,138)
Hispanic / Latino28.2%(8,548)
Asian1.5%(448)
Other2.2%(656)
Diversity Score83.8%(25,367)
Diversity Score
84
+7%since 2000
from 78 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.3%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 18.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.5%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 72.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.6 min
+51%since 2000
from 16.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.7%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 74.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.0%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.0%
−5.5 ptssince 2011
from 11.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
64.3%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 65.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.8%
−31.8 ptssince 2009
from 58.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.4%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Female
52.6%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Foreign born
12.5%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
14.0%
−64.3 ptssince 2013
from 78.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Sanford to nearby cities

SANFORD VS
Spout Springs
Income$92,402+97%
Home value$358,500+147%
Population11,242−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANFORD VS
Anderson Creek
Income$87,287+86%
Home value$282,200+95%
Population13,927−59%
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SANFORD VS
Holly Springs
Income$135,578+188%
Home value$535,800+270%
Population50,288+47%
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SANFORD VS
Siler City
Income$46,566−1%
Home value$154,600+7%
Population8,155−76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sanford, North Carolina?

Sanford, North Carolina has about 30,261 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Sanford, North Carolina earns about $47,017 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 $144,900, and the typical rent is about $780 a month.

How educated are people in Sanford, North Carolina?

About 21.3% 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 20.5% 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 15,786 residents, a change of about 109 percent over that period.

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

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