Raleigh, NC

Census Place

Add Comparison

2021 Population

462,219

1.59% 1-year decline

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

34.2

0.588% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

12.1%

2.56% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$72,996

4.7% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$285,400

6.93% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

253,073

2.13% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Raleigh, NC had a population of 462k people with a median age of 34.2 and a median household income of $72,996. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Raleigh, NC declined from 469,698 to 462,219, a −1.59% decrease and its median household income grew from $69,720 to $72,996, a 4.7% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Raleigh, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (52.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (27.9%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (4.74%), Other (Hispanic) (4.34%), and White (Hispanic) (3.64%).

None of the households in Raleigh, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

92.3% of the residents in Raleigh, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Raleigh, NC are North Carolina State University at Raleigh (10,643 degrees awarded in 2021), MyComputerCareer.edu-Raleigh (1,831 degrees), and Meredith College (562 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Raleigh, NC was $285,400, and the homeownership rate was 51.6%.

Most people in Raleigh, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24 minutes. The average car ownership in Raleigh, NC was 2 cars per household.

Photo by James Willamor

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

Population & Diversity

Raleigh, NC is home to a population of 462k people, from which 92.3% are citizens. As of 2021, 13% of Raleigh, NC residents were born outside of the country (59.9k people).

In 2021, there were 1.88 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (242k people) in Raleigh, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 129k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 21.9k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

92.3%

2021 Citizenship

92.3%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 92.3% of Raleigh, NC residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Raleigh, NC was 92.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Raleigh, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
242k ± 3.48k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
129k ± 2.86k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
21.9k ± 1.72k

11.3%

Hispanic Population

52.3k people

11.3% of the people in Raleigh, NC are hispanic (52.3k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
219,250 ± 11,374 people
India
77,157 ± 6,794 people
Honduras
37,868 ± 4,769 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 219,250 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 77,157 and Honduras with 37,868.

Foreign-Born Population

13%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

59.9k people

12.8%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

60.2k people

As of 2021, 13% of Raleigh, NC residents (59.9k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Raleigh, NC was 12.8%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
4,935 ± 896
Vietnam
4,661 ± 580
Gulf War (1990s)
3,922 ± 565

Raleigh, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.06 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Raleigh, NC employs 253k people. The largest industries in Raleigh, NC are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (38,932 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (30,910 people), and Retail Trade (24,510 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($95,417), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($93,913), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($79,389).

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $52,490. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

253k

2021 Value

± 4,957

−2.13%

1 Year decline

± 2.83%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Raleigh, NC declined at a rate of −2.13%, from 259k employees to 253k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Raleigh, NC, are Management Occupations (32,438 people), Sales & Related Occupations (28,152 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (26,884 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Raleigh, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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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Industries

Employment by Industries

253k

2021 Value

± 4,957

−2.13%

1 Year decline

± 2.83%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Raleigh, NC declined at a rate of −2.13%, from 259k employees to 253k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Raleigh, NC, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (38,932 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (30,910 people), and Retail Trade (24,510 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Raleigh, NC, though some of these residents may live in Raleigh, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$49,137

Median earning men ± $1,677

$41,108

Median earning women ± $996

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($82,288), Information ($73,845), and Public Administration ($66,973).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($73,750), Manufacturing ($56,135), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($55,921).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

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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 $53.7B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B) and Machinery ($44.5B).

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.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $462B. This is expected to increase 100% 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
$32.8B
Virginia
$26.1B
Georgia
$18.1B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $32.8B, followed by Virginia with $26.1B and Georgia and $18.1B.

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%).

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd 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 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Raleigh, 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.

Senator Elections

US Senators from North Carolina

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

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Ted Budd

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd 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 Representative Elections

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 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 2021, universities in Raleigh, NC awarded 13,962 degrees. The student population of Raleigh, NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 21,700 male students and 22,424 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Raleigh, NC are White (7,815 and 62.8%), followed by Black or African American (1,922 and 15.4%), Hispanic or Latino (961 and 7.72%), and Asian (801 and 6.43%).

The largest universities in Raleigh, NC by number of degrees awarded are North Carolina State University at Raleigh (10,643 and 76.2%), MyComputerCareer.edu-Raleigh (1,831 and 13.1%), and Meredith College (562 and 4.03%).

The most popular majors in Raleigh, NC are Computer Systems Networking & Telecommunications (1,883 and 13.5%), General Business Administration & Management (1,007 and 7.21%), and Computer Science (530 and 3.8%).

The median tuition costs in Raleigh, NC are $21,879 for private four year colleges, and $6,535 and $27,320 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Raleigh, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 53%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 27.9%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 44,124 (49.2% men and 50.8% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 44,124 students enrolled in Raleigh, NC, 49.2% men and 50.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 25,513 records, of which 51.6% were women and 48.4% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
366 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
873 degree-majors awarded
General Biological Sciences
477 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Raleigh, NC was General Psychology with 366 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

North Carolina State University at Raleigh
10,643 degrees awarded
MyComputerCareer.edu-Raleigh
1,831 degrees awarded
Meredith College
562 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was North Carolina State University at Raleigh with 10,643 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 7,316 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Raleigh, NC, which is 1.1 times more than the 6,646 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 7,815 degrees mean that there were 4.07 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 1,922 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($21,879) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,596) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.886% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.756% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.13M), Some college (1.85M), and Bachelors Degree (1.58M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Raleigh, NC was $285,400 in 2021, which is 1.17 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $266,900 to $285,400, a 6.93% increase. The homeownership rate in Raleigh, NC is 51.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Raleigh, NC have an average commute time of 24 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Raleigh, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Raleigh, NC is $72,996. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Raleigh, NC was Census Tract 517 with a value of $212,321, followed by Census Tract 537.21 and Census Tract 515.01, with respective values of $160,189 and $155,833.

Housing

Property

$285,400

Median Property Value 2021

±$5,019

$96,662

Median Property Taxes

±$2,752

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Raleigh, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Raleigh, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

51.6%

Homeownership

2021

67.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 51.6% of the housing units in Raleigh, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 51.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Raleigh, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 517
Census Tract 537.21
Census Tract 515.01

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Raleigh, NC was Census Tract 517 with a value of $212,321, followed by Census Tract 537.21 and Census Tract 515.01, with respective values of $160,189 and $155,833.

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

Household Income

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

$72,996

Median Household Income

± $1,585

187k

Number of Households

± 4,055

In 2021, the median household income of the 187k households in Raleigh, NC grew to $72,996 from the previous year's value of $69,720.

The following chart displays the households in Raleigh, 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.

Wage Distribution

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

0.47

2021 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.00774% growth from 2020 to 2021, 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (70.9%)
Worked At Home (17.2%)
Carpooled (7.12%)

In 2021, 70.9% of workers in Raleigh, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (17.2%) and those who carpooled to work (7.12%).

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.

Commute Time

24 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Raleigh, NC have a shorter commute time (24 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.82% of the workforce in Raleigh, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

12.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Raleigh, NC (53.8k out of 444k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

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

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.

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.

Health

89.6% of the population of Raleigh, NC has health coverage, with 55.2% on employee plans, 11.5% on Medicaid, 7.96% on Medicare, 13.9% on non-group plans, and 1.07% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Wake County, NC see 1146 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.63% decrease from the previous year (1177 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1391 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 298 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,146 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Wake County, NC

Primary care physicians in Wake County, NC see an average of 1,146 patients per year. This represents a 2.63% decrease from the previous year (1,177 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.9% under 18 years, 28.6% between 18 and 34 years, 37.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 10.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.1% were men and 52.9% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

10.4%

Uninsured

55.2%

Employer Coverage

11.5%

Medicaid

7.96%

Medicare

13.9%

Non-Group

1.07%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Raleigh, NC grew by 2.39% from 10.1% to 10.4%.

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