Durham, NC

Census Place

Add Comparison

Population

274,497

2.45% 1-year growth

US Senator

Richard Burr

Republican Party

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

Median Age

34.1

Poverty Rate

16.8%

Median Household Income

$54,840

2.72% 1-year decline

Median Property Value

$232,600

1.09% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

150,131

7.48% 1-year growth

About

In 2018, Durham, NC had a population of 274k people with a median age of 34.1 and a median household income of $54,840. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Durham, NC grew from 267,932 to 274,497, a 2.45% increase and its median household income declined from $56,375 to $54,840, a -2.72% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Durham, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (39.2%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (37.3%), White (Hispanic) (10.6%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (5.39%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.76%). 0% of the households in Durham, NC speak a non-English language at home as their primary language, and 90% of the residents in Durham, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Durham, NC are Duke University (6,528 degrees awarded in 2019), North Carolina Central University (1,730 degrees), and Durham Technical Community College (1,372 degrees).

In 2018, the median property value in Durham, NC was $232,600, and the homeownership rate was 50.8%. Most people in Durham, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Durham, NC was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Durham, NC

Photo by Geoff Alexander

United States North Carolina Durham County, NC Wake County, NC Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Raleigh, NC

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for North Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in North Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Start Year

Y-Axis

-5.78%

Year-over-year decline

Employment change between November 2019 and November 2020

As of November 2020, there are 145M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a -5.78% decrease in employment when compared to November 2019.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of North Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Durham County, NC went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 77.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (18.2%), followed by Other (4.18%). The most partisan county was Graham County, NC with 78.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Durham, NC. Showing the available data for Durham County, NC.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Hillary Rodham Clinton (77.7%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (18.2%)
Republican Party
Other (4.18%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 77.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (18.2%), followed by Other (4.18%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of North Carolina.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Popular Vote for Durham County, NC

77.7% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in North Carolina

Graham County, NC
78.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Yadkin County, NC
78.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Durham County, NC
77.7% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in North Carolina was Graham County, NC with 78.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in North Carolina colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from North Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Richard Burr

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2005

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Durham, NC is home to a population of 274k people, from which 90% are citizens. As of 2018, 14.2% of Durham, NC residents were born outside of the country (38.9k people).

In 2018, there were 1.05 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (108k people) in Durham, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 102k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 29k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Durham, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
108k ± 2.85k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
102k ± 3.38k
White (Hispanic)
29k ± 3.82k

14.3%

Hispanic Population

39.3k people

14.3% of the people in Durham, NC are hispanic (39.3k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Durham, NC as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

14.2%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

38.9k people

14.1%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

37.8k people

As of 2018, 14.2% of Durham, NC residents (38.9k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Durham, NC was 14.1%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Durham, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.6

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1

In 2018, the median age of all people in Durham, NC was 34.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 33, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 38. But people in Durham, NC are getting getting younger. In 2017, the average age of all Durham, NC residents was 34.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
220,441 ± 11,405 people
India
77,725 ± 6,819 people
Honduras
43,980 ± 5,138 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 220,441 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 77,725 and Honduras with 43,980.

Citizenship

90%

2018 Citizenship

88.9%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 90% of Durham, NC residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Durham, NC was 88.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Durham, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,771 ± 1,101
Gulf War (1990s)
2,676 ± 1,107
Gulf War (2001-)
1,804 ± 714

Durham, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.41 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Durham, NC is $54,840. In 2018, the place with the highest Median Household Income in Durham, NC was Census Tract 20.08 with a value of $140,417, followed by Census Tract 20.20 and Census Tract 112.04, with respective values of $135,784 and $118,906.

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $48,401. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.472, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Durham, NC employs 150k people. The largest industries in Durham, NC are Health Care & Social Assistance (27,848 people), Educational Services (22,583 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (16,473 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($70,424), Utilities ($65,666), and Public Administration ($60,230).

Wages

Median Household Income

$54,840

2018 value

± $3,020

-2.72%

1 Year Growth

± 9.51%

Households in Durham, NC have a median annual income of $54,840, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $56,375 in 2017, which represents a -2.72% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Durham, NC compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

$64,597

Average Male Salary in North Carolina

± $1,174

$48,401

Average Female Salary in North Carolina

± $831

In 2019, full-time male employees in North Carolina made 1.33 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in North Carolina

Asian
$65,628 ± $4,429
White
$54,443 ± $852
Two or More Races
$37,867 ± $3,715

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of North Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.21 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in North Carolina.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Durham, NC is from North Carolina.

0.472

2019 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2018 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2019, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.472 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.426% growth from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 20.08
Census Tract 20.20
Census Tract 112.04

In 2018, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Durham, NC was Census Tract 20.08 with a value of $140,417, followed by Census Tract 20.20 and Census Tract 112.04, with respective values of $135,784 and $118,906.

The following map shows all of the places in Durham, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

16.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Durham, NC (42.6k out of 254k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 25 - 34.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

Black
19,894 ± 1,214
White
16,151 ± 974
Hispanic
11,547 ± 933

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Durham, NC is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

150k

2018 Value

± 7,397

7.48%

1 Year growth

± 6.48%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Durham, NC grew at a rate of 7.48%, from 140k employees to 150k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Durham, NC, are Management Occupations (14,900 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (14,107 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (12,194 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Durham, NC.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Durham, NC, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (14,900 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (14,107 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (12,194 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Durham, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (3.38 times higher than expected), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations (1.71 times), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations (1.71 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Durham, NC, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($79,067), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($75,087), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($71,784).

Industries

Employment by Industries

150k

2018 Value

± 7,397

7.48%

1 Year growth

± 6.48%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Durham, NC grew at a rate of 7.48%, from 140k employees to 150k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Durham, NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (27,848 people), Educational Services (22,583 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (16,473 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Durham, NC, though some of these residents may live in Durham, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Durham, NC, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (27,848 people), Educational Services (22,583 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (16,473 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Durham, NC has an unusually high number of Educational Services (1.64 times higher than expected), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (1.46 times), and Information (1.41 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Durham, NC, by median earnings, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($70,424), Utilities ($65,666), and Public Administration ($60,230).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2018, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $54.1B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($40B) and Machinery ($36.8B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$430B

2018 Value in North Carolina

$840B

Projected 2045 Value in North Carolina

95.4% growth

In 2018, total outbound North Carolina trade was $430B. This is expected to increase 95.4% to $840B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

Georgia
$28.2B
South Carolina
$27.5B
Virginia
$24.4B

In 2018, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $28.2B, followed by South Carolina with $27.5B and Virginia and $24.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Education

In 2019, universities in Durham, NC awarded 9,849 degrees. The student population of Durham, NC is skewed towards women, with 12,586 male students and 17,934 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Durham, NC are White (3,543 and 44.2%), followed by Black or African American (2,199 and 27.4%), Asian (988 and 12.3%), and Hispanic or Latino (725 and 9.05%).

The largest universities in Durham, NC by number of degrees awarded are Duke University (6,528 and 66.3%), North Carolina Central University (1,730 and 17.6%), and Durham Technical Community College (1,372 and 13.9%).

The most popular majors in Durham, NC are General Business Administration & Management (1,141 and 11.6%), Other Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods (379 and 3.85%), and Registered Nursing (356 and 3.61%).

The median tuition costs in Durham, NC are $30,340 for private four year colleges, and $3,728 and $16,435 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Theological Studies
153 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
979 degree-majorss awarded
Other Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods
379 degree-majorss awarded

In 2018, the most common concentation for Masters Degree recipients in Durham, NC was Theological Studies with 153 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Masters Degree from schools in Durham, NC according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Duke University
6,528 degrees awarded
North Carolina Central University
1,730 degrees awarded
Durham Technical Community College
1,372 degrees awarded

$3,728

Median In-State Public

$30,340

Median Private

In 2019, the Durham, NC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Duke University with 6,528 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

4,476

Degrees Awarded to Men

5,373

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2019, 4,476 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Durham, NC, which is 0.833 times less than the 5,373 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Durham, NC by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
3,543 degrees awarded
Black or African American
2,199 degrees awarded
Asian
988 degrees awarded

In 2019 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Durham, NC was White students. These 3,543 degrees mean that there were 1.61 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 2,199 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Durham, NC was $232,600 in 2018, which is 1.01 times larger than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $230,100 to $232,600, a 1.09% increase. The homeownership rate in Durham, NC is 50.8%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Durham, NC have an average commute time of 21.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Durham, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$232,600

2018 Median

± $8,024

$230,100

2017 Median

± $8,812

In 2018, the median property value in Durham, NC grew to to $232,600 from the previous year's value of $230,100.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Durham, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Durham, NC the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$54,840

Median Household Income

± $3,020

112k

Number of Households

± 6,032

In 2018, the median household income of the 112k households in Durham, NC declined from $54,840 from the previous year's value of $56,375.

The following chart displays the households in Durham, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Durham, NC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Durham, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

50.8%

2018 Homeownership

47.8%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 50.8% of the housing units in Durham, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 47.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Durham, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

21.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Durham, NC have a shorter commute time (21.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 1.63% of the workforce in Durham, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Durham, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2018

Drove Alone (76.7%)
Carpooled (8.49%)
Worked At Home (5.56%)

In 2018, 76.7% of workers in Durham, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.49%) and those who worked at home (5.56%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Durham, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Durham, NC have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

Health

87.5% of the population of Durham, NC has health coverage, with 48.8% on employee plans, 16.9% on Medicaid, 8.87% on Medicare, 12% on non-group plans, and 0.887% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in North Carolina was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in Durham County, NC see 802 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.23% decrease from the previous year (812 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1334 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 161 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Jones County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (27.2%). Additionally, Bladen County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (49.1%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Durham County, NC.

802 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Durham County, NC

Primary care physicians in Durham County, NC see an average of 802 patients per year. This represents a 1.23% decrease from the previous year (812 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Durham County, NC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

$7,264

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in North Carolina

$3,859

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,225

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,260

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in North Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.37%, from $7,027 to $7,264.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

12.5%

Uninsured

48.8%

Employer Coverage

16.9%

Medicaid

8.87%

Medicare

12%

Non-Group

0.887%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Durham, NC declined by 3.65% from 13% to 12.5%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Durham, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.