Chapel Hill is a town located in Orange County North Carolina. Chapel Hill has a 2024 population of 63,764. Chapel Hill is currently growing at a rate of 2.77% annually and its population has increased by 12.11% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 56,878 in 2020.
The average household income in Chapel Hill is $137,301 with a poverty rate of 18.57%. The median age in Chapel Hill is 25.6 years: 25.5 years for males, and 25.8 years for females.
With Durham and Raleigh, Chapel Hill makes up what is known as the Research Triangle.
Not surprisingly, Chapel Hill is North Carolina’s most educated city, with 77% of residents at least 25 years old holding at least an associate’s degree.
Chapel Hill’s population has been on the rise since 1880. The most significant growth occurred between 1940 and 1950, then again between 1960 and 1970. The city’s population at the time of the 2010 census had risen to over 50,000 residents, with this census showing an official count of 57,233 people. The city’s population has increased by 3.5% since the last census, indicating that growth has slowed, but Chapel Hill is continuing to add new residents.
One of Chapel Hill’s earliest settlers was William Barbee, a man from Virginia. Barbee owned a grant of 585 acres in the area that is now Chapel Hill. In 1793, the first cornerstone was laid for the University of North Carolina. In 1819, the town was founded around the University of North Carolina. It received its charter in 1851.
During the Civil War, the area was occupied by Union troops, and though the university remained open throughout the war, the after-effects of the war forced it to shut down. In reopened in 1875.
In the 1920s, the university was expanded, and the city grew along with it. The Great Depression during the next decade had little effect of Chapel Hill. However, New Deal programs allowed the city to construct paved streets, sewer lines and hire new employees. New residential housing was constructed as many veterans moved to the area following the war. After World War II, UNC Medical School expanded with new classrooms, dorms, libraries, and other buildings. The city also continued to grow in terms of population.
The opening of the Research Triangle Park led to further growth. The technologies that were being developed in the area attracted major corporations, leading to more residents coming to the area for the educational and employment opportunities that were available. However, despite its growth, the people of Chapel Hill have worked hard in retaining small town charm and a sense of community.
Today, the city is a mixture of businesses old and new. The city has many restaurants, shops, and other attractions that appeal to residents and visitors, as well as annual events and festivals.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Chapel Hill was:
Race | Population | Percentage (of total) |
---|---|---|
White | 40,055 | 67.98% |
Asian | 7,900 | 13.41% |
Black or African American | 6,161 | 10.46% |
Two or more races | 2,926 | 4.97% |
Other race | 1,648 | 2.8% |
Native American | 228 | 0.39% |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 1 | 0% |
White
Asian
Black or African American
Two or more races
Other race
Native American
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Household Type | Count | Average Size | Owner | Renter |
---|---|---|---|---|
All | 19,965 | 2.4 | 50 | 50 |
Non Family | 9,591 | 1.67 | 28 | 72 |
Married | 8,167 | 3.13 | 78.3 | 21.7 |
Female | 1,677 | 2.86 | 33.5 | 66.5 |
Male | 530 | 2.95 | 63.6 | 36.4 |
3.03
Average Family Size
2.4
Average Household Size
50.0%
Rate of Home Ownership
Married
Male
Female
NonFamily
owner
renter
Male
Female
Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
---|---|---|
9th to 12th Grade | 745 | 2.46% |
Associates Degree | 1,237 | 4.09% |
Bachelors Degree | 9,538 | 31.5% |
Graduate Degree | 13,904 | 45.92% |
High School Graduate | 2,073 | 6.85% |
Less Than 9th Grade | 587 | 1.94% |
Some College | 2,192 | 7.24% |
Less Than 9th Grade
9th to 12th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
Graduate Degree
High School Graduation Rate
Bachelors Rate
Race | Total | High School | Bachelors |
---|---|---|---|
White | 19,950 | 19,626 | 16,757 |
Asian | 4,447 | 4,246 | 3,702 |
Black | 3,027 | 2,733 | 1,438 |
Hispanic | 1,677 | 1,173 | 652 |
2+ Races | 1,264 | 1,253 | 872 |
Other Race | 745 | 314 | 180 |
Native American | 150 | 150 | 117 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among native american people with a rate of 100%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among white people with a rate of 83.99%.
All
Male
Female
Name | Average | Male | Female |
---|---|---|---|
Bachelors Degree | $47,540 | $60,801 | $45,251 |
Graduate Degree | $93,632 | $134,727 | $76,752 |
High School Graduate | $25,184 | $23,403 | $38,189 |
Less Than 9th Grade | $30,754 | $31,235 | $15,698 |
Overall | $58,848 | $66,608 | $54,760 |
Some College | $37,038 | $48,790 | $23,538 |
$58,848
Average Earnings
$66,608
Average Male
$54,760
Average Female
Only English
Spanish
Other Indo-European Languages
Asian and Pacific Island Languages
Other Languages
79.27% of Chapel Hill residents speak only English, while 20.73% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Asian and Pacific Island languages, which is spoken by 8.58% of the population.
rate
Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
---|---|---|---|
White | 31,330 | 5,896 | 18.82% |
Black | 4,648 | 1,481 | 31.86% |
Asian | 6,119 | 693 | 11.33% |
Hispanic | 3,484 | 501 | 14.38% |
Multiple | 2,791 | 412 | 14.76% |
Other | 1,482 | 89 | 6.01% |
Native | 202 | 19 | 9.41% |
Islander | 1 | 1 | 100% |
18.57%
Overall Poverty Rate
14.53%
Male Poverty Rate
22.35%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Chapel Hill is Islander, with 100% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Chapel Hill is Other, with 6.01% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 2.6%. Among those working part-time, it was 35.45%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 27.73%.
rate
Rate | Poverty |
---|---|
High School | 29.03% |
Less Than 9th Grade | 20.22% |
Some College | 14.32% |
Bachelors or Greater | 5.79% |
rate
Rate | Poverty |
---|---|
Female Unemployed | 62.66% |
Male Unemployed | 45.05% |
Female Employed | 17.22% |
Male Employed | 7.36% |
Households
Families
MarriedFamilies
NonFamilies
Name | Median | Mean |
---|---|---|
Families | $165,154 | $201,688 |
Households | $85,940 | $137,301 |
Married Families | $188,177 | $229,557 |
Non Families | $44,675 | $65,971 |
mean
median
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
34.2%
Overall Marriage Rate
36.7%
Male Marriage Rate
32.1%
Female Marriage Rate
male
female
The age group where males are most likely to be married is 45-54, while the female age group most likely to be married is 45-54.
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
Second Gulf War
First Gulf War
Vietnam
Korea
World War II
1,636
Number of Veterans
1,497
Male Veterans
139
Female Veterans
War | Veterans |
---|---|
Vietnam | 525 |
Second Gulf War | 426 |
First Gulf War | 384 |
Korea | 117 |
World War II | 35 |
count
Age Group | Veterans |
---|---|
75+ | 564 |
65 to 74 | 327 |
35 to 54 | 311 |
18 to 34 | 274 |
55 to 64 | 160 |
count
Name | Veterans | % of Total |
---|---|---|
White | 1,366 | 3.96% |
Black | 135 | 2.64% |
Asian | 75 | 1.15% |
Hispanic | 53 | 1.8% |
2+ Races | 27 | 1.48% |
Native American | 17 | 8.9% |
Other Race | 16 | 1.24% |
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Bachelors or Greater
5.98%
Veteran Poverty Rate
19.9%
Veteran Disability Rate
LaborForceParticipation
58.2%
Labor Force Participation
55.4%
Employment Rate
4.7%
Unemployment Rate
LaborForceParticipation
LaborForceParticipation
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
40.12%
Born in Chapel Hill
84.02%
Native Born
15.98%
Foreign Born
8.24%
Non Citizen
7.73%
Naturalized
84.02% of Chapel Hill residents were born in the United States, with 40.12% having been born in North Carolina. 8.24% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Asia.
Year | Population | Growth | Change |
---|---|---|---|
2029 | 72,373 | 1,722 | 2.44% |
2028 | 70,651 | 1,722 | 2.5% |
2027 | 68,929 | 1,721 | 2.56% |
2026 | 67,208 | 1,722 | 2.63% |
2025 | 65,486 | 1,722 | 2.7% |
2024 | 63,764 | 1,721 | 2.77% |
2023 | 62,043 | 92 | 0.15% |
2022 | 61,951 | 452 | 0.73% |
2021 | 61,499 | 4,621 | 8.12% |
2020 | 56,878 | -6,870 | -10.78% |
2019 | 63,748 | 351 | 0.55% |
2018 | 63,397 | 4,475 | 7.59% |
2017 | 58,922 | -754 | -1.26% |
2016 | 59,676 | 570 | 0.96% |
2015 | 59,106 | -57 | -0.1% |
2014 | 59,163 | 274 | 0.47% |
2013 | 58,889 | 219 | 0.37% |
2012 | 58,670 | 1,290 | 2.25% |
2011 | 57,380 | -27 | -0.05% |
2010 | 57,407 | 0 | 0% |
2000 | 48,715 | 9,996 | 25.82% |
1990 | 38,719 | 6,298 | 19.43% |
1980 | 32,421 | 6,222 | 23.75% |
1970 | 26,199 | 13,626 | 108.38% |
1960 | 12,573 | 3,396 | 37.01% |
1950 | 9,177 | 5,523 | 151.15% |
1940 | 3,654 | 955 | 35.38% |
1930 | 2,699 | 1,699 | 169.9% |
1900 | 1,000 | -71,373 | -98.62% |