Chapel Hill: Demographics & People
Census counts 61,607 people in Chapel Hill, in 21,189 households. Population grew 2.9% from 59,889 (2022) to 61,607 (2024). Median age 25.8 years. (10.3y younger than Orange County; 10.4y younger than North Carolina). Children under 18 are 15% of the population. Population is 63% White (non-Hispanic) and 13% Asian. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.50). 50% of households are family-led. County is losing 3,385 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 32% adult obesity, 11% smoke.
- 2.9 people per household (vs North Carolina avg 2.5).
- 50% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs North Carolina 42%).
- 38 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs North Carolina 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 2.9% from 59,889 (2022) to 61,607 (2024) — about 4.8× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~63,387 (extrapolated at 1.4%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 65,812.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 324,833 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 2.9% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 59,889 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 61,607 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 61,607 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Population Estimate | 65,812 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 25.8y is 13.1 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 15% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 25.8 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 14.9% |
| Age Summary · Character | young community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 61,607 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 9,149 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 28,225.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 16,467.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 7,766 |
| Population under 18 | 9,149 |
| Median age | 25.8 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 61,607 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.50 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 39,930 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 6,543 |
| Asian residents | 7,884 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 4,426 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 50.2% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 67.9% |
| Asian population | 13.4% (vs North Carolina 3.2%) |
| Black population | 11.3% (vs North Carolina 26.0%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 7.6% (vs North Carolina 12.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 62.8% (vs North Carolina 51.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 1.4% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 15% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 24,990 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 26,353 |
| Share born in this state | 40.6% |
| Share born in another state | 59.4% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 42.8% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.4% |
| Naturalized citizens | 15.3% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 9,414 |
| From Europe | 1,451 |
| From Asia | 23 |
| From Africa | 5,220 |
| From Latin America | 130 |
| Census Foreign Born · Caribbean | 216 |
| Census Foreign Born · Central America | 16 |
Households & Family Composition
21,189 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 50% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 10,527 families, 36% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 9,156 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 10,527 |
| Married couples with children | 3,752 |
| Single-parent households | 118 |
| Average household size | 2.36 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 5.8% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 429 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 157 |
| Family households | 10,509 households (vs North Carolina 17,226) |
| Households that are families | 49.6% (vs North Carolina 58.5%) |
| Total households | 21,189 households (vs North Carolina 25,235) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 26.3% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 3,385 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 26.3% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 290,880 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 294,265 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -3,385 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 1,509 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 2.6% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 11,204 residents live in group quarters (18.2% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 11,204 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 6 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 37063 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 37 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 063 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Durham |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 15.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 14.70 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 17.20 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 37063 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Durham County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 13,794 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 37063 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Durham County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 95.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 81.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 38.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 321,488 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 23 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 32 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 14.9% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 61,607, growing, young community, upper-middle, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 61,607 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Town Summary · County | Durham County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade