Raleigh: Demographics & People
481,031 people call Raleigh home, in 203,443 households. Population grew 2.2% from 470,763 (2022) to 481,031 (2024). Median age 34.7 years. (2.6y younger than Wake County; 4.8y younger than North Carolina). Children under 18 are 20% of the population. Population is 51% White (non-Hispanic) and 26% Black. The community is highly diverse (Simpson index 0.61). 53% of households are family-led. County is losing 3,385 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 32% adult obesity, 11% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household.
- 47% non-family households (singles, roommates).
Population & Trend
Population grew 2.2% from 470,763 (2022) to 481,031 (2024) — about 3.6× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~491,574 (extrapolated at 1.1%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 505,850.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 324,833 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 2.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 470,763 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 481,031 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 481,031 people |
| Population Estimate | 505,850 |
| Population Note | Census Place population covers Durham County, Wake County |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 34.7y is 4.2 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 20% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 34.7 years (vs North Carolina 39.5y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 19.8% |
| Age Summary · Character | young professional |
| Population under 18 | 95,457 |
| Median age | 34.7 years (vs North Carolina 39.5y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 481,031 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.61 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as highly diverse.
| White residents | 253,379 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 129,659 |
| Asian residents | 22,244 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 59,660 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 60.7% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | highly diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 54.5% |
| Asian population | 5.2% |
| Black population | 26.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 12.6% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 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). 1.8% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 14% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 218,570 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 187,440 |
| Share born in this state | 45.4% |
| Share born in another state | 54.6% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 39.0% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.8% |
| Naturalized citizens | 13.8% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 60,344 |
| From Europe | 5,796 |
| From Asia | 199 |
| From Africa | 17,708 |
| From Latin America | 652 |
| Census Foreign Born · Caribbean | 179 |
| Census Foreign Born · South America | 59 |
Households & Family Composition
203,443 households. Averaging 2.3 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 53% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 104,789 families, 30% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 94,934 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 104,789 |
| Married couples with children | 31,729 |
| Single-parent households | 3,326 |
| Average household size | 2.30 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 12.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 4,619 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 1,723 |
| Family households | 108,253 households |
| Households that are families | 53.2% |
| Total households | 203,443 households |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 18.7% 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) | 18.7% |
|---|---|
| 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 | 19,323 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 4.2% |
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. 18,740 residents live in group quarters (3.9% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 18,740 |
|---|
Other
| Census Counties | Durham County, Wake County |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · District | 4 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 37,063 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 37 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 63 |
| 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 | 37,063 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Durham County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 13,794 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 37,063 |
| 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 | 105 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 107 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 6 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 19.8% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 481,031, growing, young professional, upper-middle, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 481,031 people |
| Town Summary · County | Durham County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade