Salisbury, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Salisbury, North Carolina is 35,730 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 28th-largest city in North Carolina. The median household income is $51,058, the median home value is $215,200, and the median age is 36.5.
The population has grown 9.3% since 2010 (33,481 → 36,579).
35,730
Population
1547
People / sq mi
$51,058
Median Income
$215,200
Median Home Value
Salisbury covers 23.1 sq mi of land at 1547 people per square mile.
About Salisbury, NC
Salisbury is a city in North Carolina with a population of 35,730. It ranks #28 among cities in North Carolina by population. The median age is 36.5, younger than the national median. The population is 49.2% male and 50.8% female.
The median household income in Salisbury is $51,058, below the US median of $74,580. 19.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $215,200, with monthly rent averaging $1,030. The homeownership rate of 49.7% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Salisbury reflects 26.9% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 7.8% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 20.8 minutes each way.
Salisbury city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Salisbury city had a population of 33,481 in 2010 and 36,579 in 2024, a 9.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 36,579 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.64%.
36,579
Population (2024)
33,481
Population (2010)
36,579
Peak (2024)
0.64%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 33,481 |
| 2011 | 33,364 |
| 2012 | 33,196 |
| 2013 | 33,281 |
| 2014 | 33,492 |
| 2015 | 33,510 |
| 2016 | 33,606 |
| 2017 | 33,695 |
| 2018 | 33,830 |
| 2019 | 33,988 |
| 2020 | 35,328 |
| 2021 | 35,206 |
| 2022 | 35,705 |
| 2023 | 36,314 |
| 2024 | 36,579 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 51.8% |
| Black or African American | 35.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$51,058
Median Household Income
$30,932
Per Capita Income
19.1%
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$215,200
Median Home Value
$1,030
Median Rent
49.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
86.6%
High School+
26.9%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.8%
Drive Alone
74.0%
Public Transit
7.8%
Work From Home
20.8 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
29.3%
Foreign Born
88.2%
Non-English at Home
7.6%
Veterans
15.0%
With Disability
90.3%
Health Insurance
91.6%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 26.9% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 13.9% |
| Manufacturing | 12.5% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 11.0% |
| Construction | 5.9% |
| Information | 4.8% |
| Retail Trade | 3.9% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 2.6% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.5% |
| Public Administration | 2.2% |
| 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
Salisbury, North Carolina has a population of 35,730 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 28th-largest city in North Carolina.
The median household income in Salisbury, North Carolina is $51,058, with 19.1% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Salisbury, North Carolina is $215,200, with median monthly rent at $1,030 and a homeownership rate of 49.7%.
The median age in Salisbury, North Carolina is 36.5 years. The population is 49.2% male and 50.8% female.
The population has grown 9.3% since 2010 (33,481 → 36,579).
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.