Raleigh, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Raleigh, North Carolina is 470,763 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 41st-largest city in the United States and the 2nd-largest in North Carolina. The median household income is $82,424, the median home value is $377,800, and the median age is 34.7.
The population has grown 23.0% since 2010 (406,353 → 499,825).
470,763
Population
3119
People / sq mi
$82,424
Median Income
$377,800
Median Home Value
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Raleigh covers 150.9 sq mi of land at 3119 people per square mile.
About Raleigh, NC
Remote work is unusually prominent in Raleigh: 23.4% of workers primarily work from home, above the 14.0% national rate. With 470,763 residents, Raleigh is a city in North Carolina. That makes it one of the ten largest cities in North Carolina in the country, at #2 by population.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $82,424 — near the US median of $78,538. About 6.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Median home value is $377,800, with typical rent around $1,468.
College attainment is above the local norm at 52.9%, above the national 35.0%. About 23.4% of workers primarily work from home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 23 minutes each way.
The remote-work concentration is telling in Raleigh — it skews toward higher-income, college-educated workers and reshapes both commute patterns and housing demand.
Raleigh city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Raleigh city had a population of 406,353 in 2010 and 499,825 in 2024, a 23.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 499,825 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.50%.
499,825
Population (2024)
406,353
Population (2010)
499,825
Peak (2024)
1.50%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 406,353 |
| 2011 | 413,958 |
| 2012 | 423,304 |
| 2013 | 431,391 |
| 2014 | 439,503 |
| 2015 | 449,546 |
| 2016 | 459,469 |
| 2017 | 465,776 |
| 2018 | 469,314 |
| 2019 | 474,069 |
| 2020 | 465,861 |
| 2021 | 471,377 |
| 2022 | 475,200 |
| 2023 | 491,078 |
| 2024 | 499,825 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 53.8% |
| Black or African American | 27.5% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$82,424
Median Household Income
$49,948
Per Capita Income
6.9%
Poverty Rate
3.2%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$377,800
Median Home Value
$1,468
Median Rent
51.2%
Owner-Occupied
Education
92.5%
High School+
52.9%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.3%
Drive Alone
65.1%
Public Transit
23.4%
Work From Home
23.4 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
38.6%
Foreign Born
81.3%
Non-English at Home
4.8%
Veterans
9.6%
With Disability
89.9%
Health Insurance
97.7%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 20.5% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 20.3% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.0% |
| Information | 9.0% |
| Manufacturing | 7.0% |
| Construction | 6.4% |
| Retail Trade | 4.6% |
| Public Administration | 4.5% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.3% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.5% |
| 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
Common questions about Raleigh, NC
Frequently Asked Questions
Raleigh, North Carolina has a population of 470,763 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 41st-largest city in the United States and the 2nd-largest in North Carolina.
The median household income in Raleigh, North Carolina is $82,424, with 6.9% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Raleigh, North Carolina is $377,800, with median monthly rent at $1,468 and a homeownership rate of 51.2%.
The median age in Raleigh, North Carolina is 34.7 years. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
The population has grown 23.0% since 2010 (406,353 → 499,825).
Where to stay in Raleigh
Visiting or relocating to Raleigh, NC? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
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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.