Zebulon: Demographics & People
Census counts 8,711 people in Zebulon, in 3,252 households. Population grew 9.4% from 7,961 (2022) to 8,711 (2024). Median age 38.3 years. (1.0y older than Wake County; 2.1y older than North Carolina). Children under 18 are 24% of the population. Population is 46% Black and 29% White (non-Hispanic). The community is highly diverse (Simpson index 0.66). 68% of households are family-led. County is gaining 14,401 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 36% adult obesity, 16% smoke.
- 2.7 people per household (vs North Carolina avg 2.5).
- 32% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs North Carolina 42%).
- 58 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs North Carolina 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 9.4% from 7,961 (2022) to 8,711 (2024) — about 15.7× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~9,550 (extrapolated at 4.7%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 10,747.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 215,999 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 9.4% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 7,961 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 8,711 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 8,711 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Population Estimate | 10,747 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 38.3y is 0.6 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 24% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 38.3 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 23.9% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 8,711 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 2,082 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 1,981.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 3,526.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 1,122 |
| Population under 18 | 2,082 |
| Median age | 38.3 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 8,711 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.66 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as highly diverse.
| White residents | 2,811 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 3,069 |
| Asian residents | 19 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 1,887 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 65.5% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | highly diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 39.4% |
| Asian population | 0.4% (vs North Carolina 3.2%) |
| Black population | 45.6% (vs North Carolina 26.0%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 22.9% (vs North Carolina 12.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 29.0% (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).
| Residents born in this state | 3,564 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 3,184 |
| Share born in this state | 40.9% |
| Share born in another state | 59.1% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 36.6% |
| Naturalized citizens | 22.5% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 1,273 |
| From Europe | 35 |
| From Africa | 24 |
Households & Family Composition
3,252 households. Averaging 2.6 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 68% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 2,052 families, 25% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 1,979 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 2,052 |
| Married couples with children | 523 |
| Single-parent households | 57 |
| Average household size | 2.58 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 20.2% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 200 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 74 |
| Family households | 2,229 households (vs North Carolina 17,226) |
| Households that are families | 68.5% (vs North Carolina 58.5%) |
| Total households | 3,252 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. 15.7% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 14,401 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 15.7% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 230,675 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 216,274 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 14,401 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| 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 | 407 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 5.5% |
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. 116 residents live in group quarters (1.3% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 116 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 2 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 37101 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 37 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 101 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Johnston |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 17.5% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 16.00 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 19.20 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 37101 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Johnston County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large fringe metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 5,663 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 37101 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Johnston County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 75.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 56.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 31.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 209,339 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 4.70 |
| Family Score · Schools | 5 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 4 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 23.9% |
| Family Score · Rating | fair |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 8,711, booming, family-oriented, upper-middle, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 8,711 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Town Summary · County | Johnston County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade