Cabarrus County, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 10th-largest in North Carolina
The population of Cabarrus County, North Carolina is 231,262 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 10th-largest county in North Carolina. The median household income is $86,084, the median home value is $318,600, and the median age is 37.7.
The population of Cabarrus County has grown 37.2% since 2010 (178,564 → 244,925), a +2.28% annualized rate.
231,262
Population
+2.28%
Annual growth
640
People / sq mi
$86,084
Median Income
$318,600
Median Home Value
Cabarrus County covers 361 sq mi of land at 640.2 people per square mile.
About Cabarrus County, NC
What sets Cabarrus County apart is where people work — remote work is unusually prominent here, at 15.8% versus 14.0% nationally. Cabarrus County is a county in North Carolina with a population of 231,262. That makes it one of the ten largest counties in North Carolina in the country, at #10 by population.
Median household income is $86,084, above the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 6.3%, is on the lower side for US counties and below the national 12.4%. The median home value is $318,600, with typical rent around $1,303.
About 37.7% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, above the 35.0% national figure. Working from home is common here: 15.8% of workers do so, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 28 minutes each way.
The remote-work concentration is telling in Cabarrus County — it skews toward higher-income, college-educated workers and reshapes both commute patterns and housing demand.
Cabarrus County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Cabarrus County had a population of 178,564 in 2010 and 244,925 in 2024, a 37.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 244,925 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 2.29%.
244,925
Population (2024)
178,564
Population (2010)
244,925
Peak (2024)
2.29%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 178,564 |
| 2011 | 181,187 |
| 2012 | 184,358 |
| 2013 | 187,265 |
| 2014 | 191,737 |
| 2015 | 196,483 |
| 2016 | 201,737 |
| 2017 | 206,987 |
| 2018 | 211,483 |
| 2019 | 216,340 |
| 2020 | 227,235 |
| 2021 | 231,821 |
| 2022 | 236,078 |
| 2023 | 240,608 |
| 2024 | 244,925 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 61.9% |
| Black or African American | 18.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
37.7
Median Age
50.9%
Female
49.1%
Male
13.4%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 20.6% · Seniors (65+): 13.4%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $86,084+$16,180 vs state |
| Mean household income | $112,035 |
| Per-capita income | $40,652 |
| Poverty rate | 6.3%-3.1% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1% |
| Employment-to-population | 64.8% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Cabarrus County is professional & business services, accounting for 20.6% of workers.
How residents commute
0.6%
Drive alone
0.6%
Carpool
73.5%
Public transit
15.8%
Work from home
28.0 min
Avg commute
Housing
$318,600+$59,200 vs state
Median home value
$1,303
Median rent
72.1%
Homeownership rate
91,339
Total housing units
88.0%
Occupied
12.0%
Vacant
27.9%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
92.2%
With health insurance
95.8%
With broadband internet
38.6%
Foreign-born
6.6%
Veterans (18+)
10.7%
With a disability
84.9%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
91.8%
High School+
37.7%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in North Carolina
Other counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabarrus County, North Carolina has a population of 231,262 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 10th-largest county in North Carolina. Population density is 640 people per square mile.
The population of Cabarrus County has grown 37.2% since 2010 (178,564 → 244,925), a +2.28% annualized rate.
The median household income in Cabarrus County, North Carolina is $86,084, with mean (average) household income of $112,035 and per-capita income of $40,652. 6.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Cabarrus County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (61.9%), Black or African American (18.9%), Hispanic or Latino (1.2%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Cabarrus County, North Carolina is 37.7 years. Residents are 50.9% female and 49.1% male.
The median home value in Cabarrus County is $318,600 and median monthly rent is $1,303. 72.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 91,339 total housing units, 12.0% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Cabarrus County, North Carolina is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 20.6% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.1%.
Charlotte is among the largest cities associated with Cabarrus County, North Carolina, with a population of 886,283.
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Full rankings of North Carolina counties
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.