Carrboro, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Carrboro, North Carolina is 21,170 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 47th-largest city in North Carolina. The median household income is $85,927, the median home value is $507,100, and the median age is 34.0.
The population has grown 7.6% since 2010 (19,585 → 21,079).
21,170
Population
3266
People / sq mi
$85,927
Median Income
$507,100
Median Home Value
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Carrboro covers 6.5 sq mi of land at 3266 people per square mile.
About Carrboro, NC
Carrboro is defined demographically by education — 70.4% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national average. With 21,170 residents, Carrboro is a city in North Carolina. It ranks #47 among cities in North Carolina by population.
Median household income is $85,927, above the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 5.2%, below the national 12.4%. The median home value is $507,100, with typical rent around $1,337.
Degree attainment is near the top of the range for US cities: 70.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s, above the 35.0% national rate. Working from home is common here: 23.9% of workers do so, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 23 minutes each way.
The education numbers are the throughline: a college-heavy population in Carrboro usually coincides with higher incomes and a workforce concentrated in professional and information industries.
Carrboro town Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Carrboro town had a population of 19,585 in 2010 and 21,079 in 2024, a 7.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 21,452 in 2017. Average annual growth rate: 0.53%.
21,079
Population (2024)
19,585
Population (2010)
21,452
Peak (2017)
0.53%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 19,585 |
| 2011 | 19,874 |
| 2012 | 20,300 |
| 2013 | 20,681 |
| 2014 | 20,878 |
| 2015 | 21,074 |
| 2016 | 21,198 |
| 2017 | 21,452 |
| 2018 | 21,220 |
| 2019 | 21,190 |
| 2020 | 21,281 |
| 2021 | 21,182 |
| 2022 | 21,286 |
| 2023 | 21,253 |
| 2024 | 21,079 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 67.3% |
| Black or African American | 13.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$85,927
Median Household Income
$53,514
Per Capita Income
5.2%
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$507,100
Median Home Value
$1,337
Median Rent
43.6%
Owner-Occupied
Education
95.0%
High School+
70.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
7.7%
Drive Alone
52.5%
Public Transit
23.9%
Work From Home
23.2 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
54.0%
Foreign Born
82.9%
Non-English at Home
4.7%
Veterans
8.0%
With Disability
93.6%
Health Insurance
97.7%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 47.3% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 15.9% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 7.4% |
| Information | 4.7% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.3% |
| Public Administration | 4.0% |
| Manufacturing | 2.8% |
| Construction | 2.6% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.5% |
| Retail Trade | 0.9% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.5% |
Largest cities in North Carolina
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Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrboro, North Carolina has a population of 21,170 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 47th-largest city in North Carolina.
The median household income in Carrboro, North Carolina is $85,927, with 5.2% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Carrboro, North Carolina is $507,100, with median monthly rent at $1,337 and a homeownership rate of 43.6%.
The median age in Carrboro, North Carolina is 34.0 years. The population is 49.8% male and 50.2% female.
The population has grown 7.6% since 2010 (19,585 → 21,079).
Where to stay in Carrboro
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.