Chapel Hill, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Chapel Hill, North Carolina is 59,889 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 17th-largest city in North Carolina. The median household income is $85,825, the median home value is $576,500, and the median age is 25.8.
The population has grown 11.5% since 2010 (57,406 → 64,028).
59,889
Population
2760
People / sq mi
$85,825
Median Income
$576,500
Median Home Value
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Chapel Hill covers 21.7 sq mi of land at 2760 people per square mile.
About Chapel Hill, NC
Educational attainment is the headline number in Chapel Hill: 77.2% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. With 59,889 residents, Chapel Hill is a city in North Carolina. It ranks #17 among cities in North Carolina by population.
The typical household here earns about $85,825, above the US median of $78,538. About 6.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. A typical home is worth $576,500, with typical rent around $1,483.
The population is unusually well-credentialed for US cities — 77.2% of adults have a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. An unusually large 27.1% of workers are remote, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 20 minutes each way.
The education numbers are the throughline: a college-heavy population in Chapel Hill usually coincides with higher incomes and a workforce concentrated in professional and information industries.
Chapel Hill town Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Chapel Hill town had a population of 57,406 in 2010 and 64,028 in 2024, a 11.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 64,051 in 2019. Average annual growth rate: 0.87%.
64,028
Population (2024)
57,406
Population (2010)
64,051
Peak (2019)
0.87%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 57,406 |
| 2011 | 57,370 |
| 2012 | 58,650 |
| 2013 | 58,860 |
| 2014 | 59,120 |
| 2015 | 59,046 |
| 2016 | 59,654 |
| 2017 | 58,918 |
| 2018 | 63,367 |
| 2019 | 64,051 |
| 2020 | 57,017 |
| 2021 | 61,635 |
| 2022 | 62,230 |
| 2023 | 63,098 |
| 2024 | 64,028 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 66.7% |
| Black or African American | 10.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$85,825
Median Household Income
$50,216
Per Capita Income
6.6%
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$576,500
Median Home Value
$1,483
Median Rent
48.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
96.2%
High School+
77.2%
Bachelor's+
Commute
6.6%
Drive Alone
48.1%
Public Transit
27.1%
Work From Home
19.6 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
43.4%
Foreign Born
81.0%
Non-English at Home
3.2%
Veterans
7.5%
With Disability
95.0%
Health Insurance
99.0%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 40.7% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 18.1% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 12.0% |
| Manufacturing | 5.0% |
| Information | 4.4% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.5% |
| Construction | 1.9% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.8% |
| Public Administration | 1.8% |
| Retail Trade | 1.7% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.3% |
Largest cities in North Carolina
Largest counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Chapel Hill, North Carolina has a population of 59,889 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 17th-largest city in North Carolina.
The median household income in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is $85,825, with 6.6% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is $576,500, with median monthly rent at $1,483 and a homeownership rate of 48.7%.
The median age in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is 25.8 years. The population is 47.0% male and 53.0% female.
The population has grown 11.5% since 2010 (57,406 → 64,028).
Where to stay in Chapel Hill
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Statewide data for North Carolina
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.