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
Carrboro covers 6.5 sq mi of land at 3266 people per square mile.
About Carrboro, NC
Carrboro is a city in North Carolina with a population of 21,170. It ranks #47 among cities in North Carolina by population. The median age is 34.0, younger than the national median. The population is 49.8% male and 50.2% female.
The median household income in Carrboro is $85,927, above the US median of $74,580. 5.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $507,100, with monthly rent averaging $1,337. The homeownership rate of 43.6% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Carrboro reflects 70.4% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 23.9% of workers primarily work from home, noticeably above the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 23.2 minutes each way.
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
Largest counties in North Carolina
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).
More from North Carolina
Population 886,283
Population 470,763
Population 298,564
Population 288,465
Population 250,887
Full rankings of North Carolina cities by population
Statewide data for North Carolina
Population, race, income, age, and trends across North Carolina
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.