Winston-Salem is a city of 252,037 people in North Carolina. Growth has run 36% since 2000, or 66,261 more people. Owners hold 56% of the housing stock. This skews young, with a median age of 35.9. The typical home is worth $233,800, having more than doubled since 2000. Density works out to 1,887 people per square mile.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $59,268, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.9
US median: 38.9
More educated
39% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Winston-Salem
What changed most since 1990
Black share39.2% → 31.2%(−8.1 pts)US over the same years: +0.2 pts
Population143,485 → 252,037(+76%)US over the same years: +35%
Hispanic share0.7% → 18.2%(+17.5 pts)US over the same years: +9.9 pts
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)20.6%(2,261)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)20.6%(2,259)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era36.5%(4,012)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War3.3%(365)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II1.5%(165)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 10,986 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
Winston-Salem, decade by decade
Winston-Salem 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
143,485
$63,573
$164,645
27.2%
62.2
2000
185,776
$67,412
$180,344
30.3%
73.1
2010
229,617
$59,676
$203,126
31.8%
80.0
2020
249,545
$57,292
$184,230
34.3%
84.2
2024
252,037
$59,268
$233,800
39.5%
84.6
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 Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
Winston-Salem, North Carolina has about 252,037 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
The typical household in Winston-Salem, North Carolina earns about $59,268 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Winston-Salem, North Carolina expensive?
In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $233,800, and the typical rent is about $1,087 a month.
How educated are people in Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
About 39.5% of adults age 25 and over in Winston-Salem, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
About 17.7% of people in Winston-Salem, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.
Has Winston-Salem, North Carolina grown since 1990?
Yes, Winston-Salem, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 108,552 residents, a change of about 76 percent over that period.
