Durham is a city located in Durham County North Carolina. Durham has a 2024 population of 300,100. Durham is currently growing at a rate of 1.32% annually and its population has increased by 5.5% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 284,444 in 2020.
The average household income in Durham is $101,765 with a poverty rate of 12.61%. The median age in Durham is 34.7 years: 33.7 years for males, and 35.5 years for females.
Durham is most-known for its role within the “Research Triangle” of North Carolina, which also includes the cities of Raleigh and Chapel Hill. The city is home to Duke University and is a diverse city that is known for its cultural events, schools and institutions, sports, music and the arts. Over 34,000 people are employed by Duke University and the Duke University Health System. Other major employers include IBM, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of NC, and the City of Durham, to name a few.
The city of Durham has seen rapid population growth throughout its history. Most recently, the population has grown over 15% between the 2010 census and estimates taken in 2016. Before that, the polls between 2000 and 2010 recorded over 22% growth. A thriving economy, jobs at major companies, and educational opportunities will keep the city of Durham’s population on the upswing far into the future.
Durham was incorporated as a city in 1869, but its history began long before that. The Eno and the Occoneechi were believed to have first lived in the area and it is thought that there was once a village named Adshusheer located where Durham currently stands. In its early history, before the development of the region’s railroad, Durham was an agricultural center. The development of Hillsborough Road, which served as a major route through the state, led to population growth. A railroad depot was constructed before the Civil War. While growth was slow before the war, the end of the Civil War brought about much more rapid population growth. This was primarily because of the city’s thriving tobacco industry.
Durham was incorporated as a city in 1869. The early 1900s saw continued population growth because of the tobacco industry. Washington Duke's W. Duke & Sons Tobacco Company was a prosperous company that brought wealth to the city. However, antitrust laws broke up what was a monopoly, allowing the family to retain American Tobacco. The Dukes went on to become involved in the generation of electric power, establishing Duke Power, which is now known as Duke Energy and provided electricity to residents in North Carolina before eventually expanded to other states.
The city faced some troubles in 1914 when a fire destroyed much of the downtown business district. This led to the establishment of a city water system. Durham in its earliest years also became known its black community, with an area known as Hayti becoming home to some of the most successful black-owned businesses in the 20th century. The first publicly supported liberal arts college for blacks was also founded here in 1910. This university – North Carolina Central University – wasn’t the only institution the city became known for. Later, Trinity College became Duke University and is one of the most renowned colleges in the country.
Today, Duke University and Duke Medical Center are two of the city’s largest employers. City officials have also tackled a revitalization of the downtown area, including the construction of the $80 million “City Center Tower.” Other projects are currently underway, including the development of a boutique hotel, upscale restaurants, and a contemporary art museum.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Durham was:
Race | Population | Percentage (of total) |
---|---|---|
White | 129,694 | 45.65% |
Black or African American | 102,698 | 36.15% |
Two or more races | 19,901 | 7.01% |
Asian | 16,188 | 5.7% |
Other race | 14,313 | 5.04% |
Native American | 1,161 | 0.41% |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 139 | 0.05% |
White
Black or African American
Two or more races
Asian
Other race
Native American
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Household Type | Count | Average Size | Owner | Renter |
---|---|---|---|---|
All | 120,386 | 2.27 | 52 | 48 |
Non Family | 54,978 | 1.26 | 38.5 | 61.5 |
Married | 44,179 | 3.01 | 76.5 | 23.5 |
Female | 16,154 | 3.3 | 35 | 65 |
Male | 5,075 | 3.37 | 38.7 | 61.3 |
3.01
Average Family Size
2.27
Average Household Size
52.0%
Rate of Home Ownership
Married
Male
Female
NonFamily
owner
renter
Male
Female
Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
---|---|---|
9th to 12th Grade | 8,238 | 4.23% |
Associates Degree | 13,913 | 7.14% |
Bachelors Degree | 54,704 | 28.07% |
Graduate Degree | 50,189 | 25.75% |
High School Graduate | 31,709 | 16.27% |
Less Than 9th Grade | 8,757 | 4.49% |
Some College | 27,399 | 14.06% |
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 | 89,591 | 87,803 | 63,486 |
Black | 69,354 | 63,258 | 25,374 |
Hispanic | 18,486 | 10,527 | 3,910 |
Asian | 11,191 | 10,503 | 8,554 |
2+ Races | 9,738 | 7,812 | 4,327 |
Other Race | 7,494 | 4,472 | 1,536 |
Native American | 752 | 477 | 183 |
Islander | 106 | 106 | 29 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among islander people with a rate of 100%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among asian people with a rate of 76.44%.
All
Male
Female
Name | Average | Male | Female |
---|---|---|---|
Bachelors Degree | $61,031 | $71,924 | $54,759 |
Graduate Degree | $74,104 | $87,380 | $68,113 |
High School Graduate | $30,550 | $33,550 | $26,142 |
Less Than 9th Grade | $28,077 | $31,233 | $22,076 |
Overall | $51,270 | $55,242 | $48,521 |
Some College | $40,927 | $45,627 | $36,128 |
$51,270
Average Earnings
$55,242
Average Male
$48,521
Average Female
Only English
Spanish
Other Indo-European Languages
Asian and Pacific Island Languages
Other Languages
81.1% of Durham residents speak only English, while 18.9% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 11.44% of the population.
rate
Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
---|---|---|---|
Black | 99,286 | 14,807 | 14.91% |
Hispanic | 36,708 | 8,812 | 24.01% |
White | 111,448 | 6,882 | 6.18% |
Multiple | 19,384 | 3,531 | 18.22% |
Other | 13,882 | 2,692 | 19.39% |
Asian | 14,512 | 2,012 | 13.86% |
Native | 1,125 | 134 | 11.91% |
Islander | 139 | 53 | 38.13% |
12.61%
Overall Poverty Rate
11.48%
Male Poverty Rate
13.63%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Durham is Islander, with 38.13% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Durham is White, with 6.18% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 2.1%. Among those working part-time, it was 15.95%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 25.04%.
rate
Rate | Poverty |
---|---|
Less Than 9th Grade | 25.72% |
High School | 18.17% |
Some College | 9.17% |
Bachelors or Greater | 4.66% |
rate
Rate | Poverty |
---|---|
Female Unemployed | 27.9% |
Male Unemployed | 23.56% |
Female Employed | 6.34% |
Male Employed | 4.6% |
Households
Families
MarriedFamilies
NonFamilies
Name | Median | Mean |
---|---|---|
Families | $96,231 | $125,955 |
Households | $74,710 | $101,765 |
Married Families | $124,296 | $156,576 |
Non Families | $54,071 | $69,744 |
mean
median
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
40.3%
Overall Marriage Rate
44.1%
Male Marriage Rate
37.0%
Female Marriage Rate
male
female
The age group where males are most likely to be married is Over 65, 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
11,771
Number of Veterans
10,333
Male Veterans
1,438
Female Veterans
War | Veterans |
---|---|
Vietnam | 3,183 |
First Gulf War | 2,920 |
Second Gulf War | 2,895 |
Korea | 534 |
World War II | 207 |
count
Age Group | Veterans |
---|---|
35 to 54 | 3,139 |
55 to 64 | 2,668 |
65 to 74 | 2,365 |
75+ | 2,274 |
18 to 34 | 1,325 |
count
Name | Veterans | % of Total |
---|---|---|
Black | 5,504 | 6.71% |
White | 5,435 | 5.03% |
Hispanic | 450 | 1.92% |
2+ Races | 376 | 3.12% |
Asian | 168 | 1.17% |
Other Race | 149 | 1.64% |
Native American | 119 | 13.43% |
Islander | 20 | 18.87% |
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Bachelors or Greater
10.18%
Veteran Poverty Rate
30.42%
Veteran Disability Rate
LaborForceParticipation
69.4%
Labor Force Participation
66.3%
Employment Rate
4.3%
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
45.93%
Born in Durham
85.17%
Native Born
14.83%
Foreign Born
9.26%
Non Citizen
5.57%
Naturalized
85.17% of Durham residents were born in the United States, with 45.93% having been born in North Carolina. 9.26% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Latin America.
Year | Population | Growth | Change |
---|---|---|---|
2029 | 319,670 | 3,914 | 1.24% |
2028 | 315,756 | 3,914 | 1.26% |
2027 | 311,842 | 3,914 | 1.27% |
2026 | 307,928 | 3,914 | 1.29% |
2025 | 304,014 | 3,914 | 1.3% |
2024 | 300,100 | 3,914 | 1.32% |
2023 | 296,186 | 3,599 | 1.23% |
2022 | 292,587 | 3,209 | 1.11% |
2021 | 289,378 | 4,934 | 1.73% |
2020 | 284,444 | 3,395 | 1.21% |
2019 | 281,049 | 5,220 | 1.89% |
2018 | 275,829 | 4,862 | 1.79% |
2017 | 270,967 | 4,372 | 1.64% |
2016 | 266,595 | 6,899 | 2.66% |
2015 | 259,696 | 5,392 | 2.12% |
2014 | 254,304 | 6,337 | 2.56% |
2013 | 247,967 | 5,905 | 2.44% |
2012 | 242,062 | 5,825 | 2.47% |
2011 | 236,237 | 4,651 | 2.01% |
2010 | 231,586 | 0 | 0% |
2000 | 187,035 | 50,424 | 36.91% |
1990 | 136,611 | 35,462 | 35.06% |
1980 | 101,149 | 5,711 | 5.98% |
1970 | 95,438 | 17,136 | 21.88% |
1960 | 78,302 | 6,991 | 9.8% |
1950 | 71,311 | 11,116 | 18.47% |
1940 | 60,195 | 8,158 | 15.68% |
1930 | 52,037 | 30,318 | 139.59% |
1920 | 21,719 | 3,478 | 19.07% |
1910 | 18,241 | 11,562 | 173.11% |
1900 | 6,679 | 1,194 | 21.77% |
1890 | 5,485 | -314,185 | -98.28% |