Winston-Salem, North Carolina Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates

The population of Winston-Salem, North Carolina is 250,887 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 91st-largest city in the United States and the 5th-largest in North Carolina. The median household income is $57,673, the median home value is $208,200, and the median age is 35.6.

The population has grown 11.2% since 2010 (230,022 → 255,769).

250,887

Population

1877

People / sq mi

$57,673

Median Income

$208,200

Median Home Value

Winston-Salem covers 133.7 sq mi of land at 1877 people per square mile.

About Winston-Salem, NC

Winston-Salem is a city in North Carolina with a population of 250,887. It ranks #5 among cities in North Carolina by population. The median age is 35.6, younger than the national median. The population is 46.6% male and 53.4% female.

The median household income in Winston-Salem is $57,673, below the US median of $74,580. 13.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $208,200, with monthly rent averaging $1,033. The homeownership rate of 54.6% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Winston-Salem reflects 37.2% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 12.3% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 21.8 minutes each way.

Winston-Salem city Population History (2010-2024)

The city of Winston-Salem city had a population of 230,022 in 2010 and 255,769 in 2024, a 11.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 255,769 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.76%.

255,769

Population (2024)

230,022

Population (2010)

255,769

Peak (2024)

0.76%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	230,022	-	-	estimate
2011	231,867	+1,845	+0.80%	estimate
2012	233,867	+2,000	+0.86%	estimate
2013	235,728	+1,861	+0.80%	estimate
2014	238,478	+2,750	+1.17%	estimate
2015	239,755	+1,277	+0.54%	estimate
2016	241,776	+2,021	+0.84%	estimate
2017	244,501	+2,725	+1.13%	estimate
2018	246,535	+2,034	+0.83%	estimate
2019	247,945	+1,410	+0.57%	estimate
2020	249,231	+1,286	+0.52%	estimate
2021	250,397	+1,166	+0.47%	estimate
2022	251,411	+1,014	+0.40%	estimate
2023	253,332	+1,921	+0.76%	estimate
2024	255,769	+2,437	+0.96%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	48.7%
Black or African American	32.4%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.6%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Economy & Income

$57,673

Median Household Income

$35,074

Per Capita Income

13.0%

Poverty Rate

3.6%

Unemployment Rate

Housing

$208,200

Median Home Value

$1,033

Median Rent

54.6%

Owner-Occupied

Education

88.4%

High School+

37.2%

Bachelor's+

Commute

1.2%

Drive Alone

73.2%

Public Transit

12.3%

Work From Home

21.8 min

Avg Commute

Community Profile

31.6%

Foreign Born

81.2%

Non-English at Home

5.5%

Veterans

12.6%

With Disability

88.1%

Health Insurance

94.7%

Internet Access

Employment by Industry

Professional, Scientific & Management	28.7%
Manufacturing	11.2%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate	10.5%
Education, Health Care & Social Services	8.2%
Information	7.1%
Construction	6.9%
Retail Trade	5.3%
Arts, Entertainment & Food Services	4.5%
Public Administration	3.2%
Transportation & Warehousing	1.1%
Agriculture & Mining	0.5%

Largest cities in North Carolina

Charlotte (886,283)Raleigh (470,763)Greensboro (298,564)Durham (288,465)Fayetteville (209,692)Cary (176,686)Wilmington (118,578)High Point (115,263)Concord (106,518)Asheville (94,369)View all North Carolina cities →

Largest counties in North Carolina

Wake County (1,151,009)Mecklenburg County (1,130,906)Guilford County (542,987)Forsyth County (386,740)Cumberland County (336,749)

Part of North Carolina

North Carolina demographic profile All North Carolina data →

Metro areas in North Carolina

Charlotte (2,712,818)Virginia Beach (1,782,590)Raleigh (1,449,594)Greensboro (779,894)Winston (683,637)Durham (594,291)Wilmington (440,578)Asheville (410,817)All US metros →

City rankings

US Cities by Population Cities With Highest Median Income Expensive US Cities by Home Value Youngest US Cities by Median Age Racially Diverse US Cities Cities With Highest Rent Educated US Cities Cities With Highest Work From Home Rates Cheapest US Cities by Median Home Value Cities With Lowest Rent All rankings →

Common questions about Winston-Salem, NC

What is the population of Winston-Salem city, NC?What is the median household income in Winston-Salem city, NC?What is the median home value in Winston-Salem city, NC?What are the demographics of Winston-Salem city, NC?What is the cost of living in Winston-Salem city, NC?Is Winston-Salem city, NC growing?

Frequently Asked Questions

Winston-Salem, North Carolina has a population of 250,887 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 91st-largest city in the United States and the 5th-largest in North Carolina.

The median household income in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is $57,673, with 13.0% of residents living below the federal poverty level.

The median home value in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is $208,200, with median monthly rent at $1,033 and a homeownership rate of 54.6%.

The median age in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is 35.6 years. The population is 46.6% male and 53.4% female.

The population has grown 11.2% since 2010 (230,022 → 255,769).