Durham, NC

Census Place

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2019 Population

279,447

1.8% 1-year growth

US Senator

Richard Burr

Republican Party

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

34.5

1.17% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

15.9%

5.3% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$65,534

19.5% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$253,500

8.99% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

148,858

0.848% 1-year decline

About

In 2019, Durham, NC had a population of 279k people with a median age of 34.5 and a median household income of $65,534. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Durham, NC grew from 274,497 to 279,447, a 1.8% increase and its median household income grew from $54,840 to $65,534, a 19.5% increase.

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.

90.3% of the residents in Durham, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Durham, NC are Duke University (6,971 degrees awarded in 2020), North Carolina Central University (1,761 degrees), and Durham Technical Community College (1,317 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in Durham, NC was $253,500, and the homeownership rate was 51.6%. Most people in Durham, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21 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

Diversity

Durham, NC is home to a population of 279k people, from which 90.3% are citizens. As of 2019, 14.4% of Durham, NC residents were born outside of the country (40.4k 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

14.4%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

40.4k people

14.2%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

38.9k people

As of 2019, 14.4% of Durham, NC residents (40.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Durham, NC was 14.2%, 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

± 0.7

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.1

In 2019, the median age of all people in Durham, NC was 34.5. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 34, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 37. But people in Durham, NC are getting getting older. In 2018, 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

90.3%

2019 Citizenship

90%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 90.3% of Durham, NC residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Durham, NC was 90%, 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.

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.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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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Economy

Median household income in Durham, NC is $65,534. In 2019, the place with the highest median household income in Durham, NC was Census Tract 20.20 with a value of $145,179, followed by Census Tract 112.04 and Census Tract 20.08, with respective values of $136,917 and $135,403.

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 149k people. The largest industries in Durham, NC are Health Care & Social Assistance (28,005 people), Educational Services (24,663 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (14,808 people), and the highest paying industries are Information ($75,307), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($72,483), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($64,138).

Wages

Median Household Income

$65,534

2019 value

± $3,732

19.5%

1 Year Growth

± 6.63%

Households in Durham, NC have a median annual income of $65,534, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $54,840 in 2018, which represents a 19.5% 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 Sex 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 sex-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 20.20
Census Tract 112.04
Census Tract 20.08

In 2019, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Durham, NC was Census Tract 20.20 with a value of $145,179, followed by Census Tract 112.04 and Census Tract 20.08, with respective values of $136,917 and $135,403.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

15.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Durham, NC (41.2k out of 259k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 18 - 24.

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
19,232 ± 1,285
White
15,668 ± 970
Hispanic
10,529 ± 853

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

149k

2019 Value

± 7,952

−0.848%

1 Year decline

± 7.33%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Durham, NC declined at a rate of −0.848%, from 150k employees to 149k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Durham, NC, are Management Occupations (17,938 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (13,634 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (13,549 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 (17,938 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (13,634 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (13,549 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Durham, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (3.69 times higher than expected), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations (1.59 times), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (1.47 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Durham, NC, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($125,393), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($81,422), and Management Occupations ($76,311).

Industries

Employment by Industries

149k

2019 Value

± 7,952

−0.848%

1 Year decline

± 7.33%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Durham, NC declined at a rate of −0.848%, from 150k employees to 149k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Durham, NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (28,005 people), Educational Services (24,663 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (14,808 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 (28,005 people), Educational Services (24,663 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (14,808 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Durham, NC has an unusually high number of Educational Services (1.77 times higher than expected), Health Care & Social Assistance (1.35 times), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (1.3 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Durham, NC, by median earnings, are Information ($75,307), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($72,483), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($64,138).

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 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.9B, followed by Machinery ($49B) and Pharmaceuticals ($48.7B).

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.

$488B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

89.6% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $488B. This is expected to increase 89.6% to $926B by 2050.

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

South Carolina
$35.1B
Virginia
$27B
Georgia
$18.5B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $35.1B, followed by Virginia with $27B and Georgia and $18.5B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 49.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.881%). The most partisan county was Durham County, NC with 80.4% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic 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 North Carolina.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.9%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.881%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 49.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.881%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

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

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for North Carolina

49.9% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in North Carolina

Durham County, NC
80.4% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Yadkin County, NC
80% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Graham County, NC
79.5% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in North Carolina was Durham County, NC with 80.4% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic 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.

Education

In 2020, universities in Durham, NC awarded 10,139 degrees. The student population of Durham, NC is skewed towards women, with 11,706 male students and 17,508 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Durham, NC are White (3,686 and 45.5%), followed by Black or African American (2,107 and 26%), Asian (1,016 and 12.5%), and Hispanic or Latino (707 and 8.73%).

The largest universities in Durham, NC by number of degrees awarded are Duke University (6,971 and 68.8%), North Carolina Central University (1,761 and 17.4%), and Durham Technical Community College (1,317 and 13%).

The most popular majors in Durham, NC are General Business Administration & Management (967 and 9.54%), Other Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods (419 and 4.13%), and Computer Science (397 and 3.92%).

The median tuition costs in Durham, NC are $55,880 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

Physician Assistant
179 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
767 degree-majorss awarded
Other Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods
419 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Masters Degree recipients in Durham, NC was Physician Assistant with 179 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
6,971 degrees awarded
North Carolina Central University
1,761 degrees awarded
Durham Technical Community College
1,317 degrees awarded

$3,728

Median In-State Public

$55,880

Median Private

In 2020, the Durham, NC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Duke University with 6,971 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

4,389

Degrees Awarded to Men

5,750

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 4,389 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Durham, NC, which is 0.763 times less than the 5,750 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Durham, NC by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
3,686 degrees awarded
Black or African American
2,107 degrees awarded
Asian
1,016 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Durham, NC was White students. These 3,686 degrees mean that there were 1.75 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 2,107 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Durham, NC was $253,500 in 2019, which is 1.05 times larger than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $232,600 to $253,500, a 8.99% increase. The homeownership rate in Durham, NC is 51.6%, which is lower than the national average of 64.1%. People in Durham, NC have an average commute time of 21 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

$253,500

2019 Median

± $10,087

$232,600

2018 Median

± $8,024

In 2019, the median property value in Durham, NC grew to to $253,500 from the previous year's value of $232,600.

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 $300k - $400k range.

Household Income

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

$65,534

Median Household Income

± $3,732

115k

Number of Households

± 6,593

In 2019, the median household income of the 115k households in Durham, NC grew to $65,534 from the previous year's value of $54,840.

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

51.6%

2019 Homeownership

50.8%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 51.6% of the housing units in Durham, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 50.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Durham, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

21 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Durham, NC have a shorter commute time (21 minutes) than the normal US worker (26 minutes). Additionally, 1.32% 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 false.

Health

86.8% of the population of Durham, NC has health coverage, with 53% on employee plans, 13.5% on Medicaid, 8.78% on Medicare, 10.4% on non-group plans, and 1.24% 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

13.2%

Uninsured

53%

Employer Coverage

13.5%

Medicaid

8.78%

Medicare

10.4%

Non-Group

1.24%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Durham, NC grew by 13.7% from 11.6% to 13.2%.

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.