Population
347,240
2025
+7.7% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Durham County, NC growth snapshot
Durham County had an estimated 347,240 residents in 2025, up 7.7% (24,775 more people) since 2020. That is faster than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 36th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
−430
2025
−1.2 per 1,000 residents
−584 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Jobs
233,836
2025
+10.4% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$1,996
2025
+30.1% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
3.4%
2025
+0.0 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
4,772
2025
+35.6% since 2021
13.7 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$82,316
2020–24
+31.1% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
229,497
2023
+17.4% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration was negative in 2025: 430 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in.
Employers counted 233,836 jobs in 2025, +10.4% since 2020 (55th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $1,996.
Unemployment averaged 3.4% in 2025.
Builders were authorized to start 4,772 new homes in 2025, or 13.7 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $82,316 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +31.1% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 327th.
Part of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area.
Durham County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 347,240 | +4,926 |
| 2024 | 342,314 | +6,447 |
| 2023 | 335,867 | +4,732 |
| 2022 | 331,135 | +4,441 |
| 2021 | 326,694 | +4,229 |
| 2020 | 322,465 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Durham County
Durham County grew by 24,775 people since 2020 even though 584 more residents moved to other U.S. counties than came from them: births outnumbered deaths by 8,805, and net international migration added 16,817.
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | +1,869 | +8,805 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +3,493 | +16,817 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | −430 | −584 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −6 | −263 | |
| Total change | +4,926 | +24,775 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In North Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 24th of 100 | 327th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 87th of 100 | 2,112th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 8th of 100 | 290th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 12th of 100 | 496th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 1st of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 11th of 100 | 828th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 3rd of 100 | 59th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
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Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Durham County's population change (+7.7%) was ahead of 3 of its 5 neighbouring counties and behind 2 (Wake County and Chatham County).
3 of its 5 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Durham County's $82,316 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham County, NC This county | 347,240 | +7.7% | −1.2 | 13.7 | $82,316 |
| Orange County, NC | 152,498 | +6.1% | −3.0 | 4.4 | $90,089 |
| Granville County, NC | 61,421 | +2.1% | −3.5 | 4.2 | $71,111 |
| Person County, NC | 40,636 | +3.7% | 8.9 | 3.6 | $63,300 |
| Wake County, NC | 1,257,235 | +11.2% | 10.2 | 11.0 | $105,768 |
| Chatham County, NC | 85,111 | +11.0% | 13.9 | 6.1 | $94,317 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
All 100 North Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
Questions
What is the population of Durham County?
About 347,240 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Durham County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 7.7% between 2020 and 2025, about 24,775 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 36th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Durham County?
On net, none in 2025: about 430 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Durham County?
Employers there reported 233,836 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +10.4% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $1,996 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Durham County?
It averaged 3.4% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Durham County?
Building permits authorized 4,772 new housing units in 2025, 13.7 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Durham County?
$82,316 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Durham County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 24th of 100 for population growth; 87th of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 8th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 12th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 327th of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.