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CITY · 2020 ACS

Winston-Salem

North Carolina · 249,545 residents · 133.584 sq mi
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The short version

Winston-Salem has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,269. Population has grown 34% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $152,000.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.2
US median: 38.8
Average education
34% 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
249,545
+34%since 2000
from 185,776 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,868 / sq mi
+34%since 2000
from 1,391 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.2
+5%since 2000
from 34.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
133K165K198K230K263K1990201020202024Winston-Salem
2024252K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,269
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,006 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,130
+30%since 2000
from $22,468 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
31.1%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 24.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
19.2%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 15.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade11.3%
US avg: 10%
Other services7.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration6.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$152,000
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $99,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$827
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $518 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
52.9%
−2.9 ptssince 2000
from 55.8% in 2000
47.1% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+20%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Winston-Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic52.4%(97,420)
Black36.4%(67,648)
Hispanic / Latino8.6%(16,043)
Asian1.1%(2,082)
Other0%
Diversity Score71.6%(133,071)
2020
White, non-Hispanic44%(109,714)
Black32%(79,788)
Hispanic / Latino17.2%(42,841)
Asian2.5%(6,275)
Other3.4%(8,425)
Diversity Score83.3%(207,926)
Diversity Score
83
+16%since 2000
from 72 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.3%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 30.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.9%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 80.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
14.0%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 11.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.1 min
+71%since 2000
from 12.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.3%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 81.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.6%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 9.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 63.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
40.2%
−25.2 ptssince 2009
from 65.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.8%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
Female
53.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.5% in 2009
Foreign born
9.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.1%
−69.9 ptssince 2013
from 82.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Winston-Salem to nearby cities

WINSTON-SALEM VS
Clemmons
Income$87,655+85%
Home value$335,800+121%
Population22,808−91%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WINSTON-SALEM VS
Lewisville
Income$100,917+113%
Home value$325,400+114%
Population14,421−94%
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WINSTON-SALEM VS
Kernersville
Income$71,918+52%
Home value$290,700+91%
Population29,128−89%
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WINSTON-SALEM VS
High Point
Income$64,561+37%
Home value$235,800+55%
Population120,571−53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina?

Winston-Salem, North Carolina has about 249,545 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Winston-Salem, North Carolina?

The typical household in Winston-Salem, North Carolina earns about $47,269 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 $152,000, and the typical rent is about $827 a month.

How educated are people in Winston-Salem, North Carolina?

About 34.3% 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 19.2% 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 106,060 residents, a change of about 74 percent over that period.

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

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