Sanford

County:: Lee County
County Seat:: No
Area (mi²):: 31.573
State:: North Carolina

Sanford is a city located in Lee County, North Carolina. Sanford has a 2025 population of 33,262. Sanford is currently growing at a rate of 1.83% annually and its population has increased by 9.9% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 30,267 in 2020.

The average household income in Sanford is $74,691 with a poverty rate of 20.28%. The median age in Sanford is 34.9 years: 33.2 years for males, and 36.9 years for females.

Demographics

The racial composition of Sanford includes 52.5% White, 24.32% Black or African American, 8.48% other race, and smaller percentages for Asian, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

White

Black or African American

Two or more races

Other race

Asian

Native American

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Race	Population	Percentage (of total)
White	16,187	52.5%
Black or African American	7,498	24.32%
Two or more races	3,946	12.8%
Other race	2,615	8.48%
Asian	512	1.66%
Native American	75	0.24%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	0	0%

Sanford Marital Status

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

Never Married

Economics and Income Statistics

Sanford's average per capita income is $39,198. Household income levels show a median of $54,294. The poverty rate stands at 20.28%.

Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.

Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.

Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.

Name	Median	Mean
Married Families	$78,926	-
Families	$63,251	$86,394
Households	$54,294	$74,691
Non Families	$31,854	$44,109

$39,198

Average Income

$54,294

Median Household Income

20.28%

Poverty Rate