Orange County, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 20th-largest in North Carolina
The population of Orange County, North Carolina is 147,292 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 20th-largest county in North Carolina. The median household income is $88,553, the median home value is $428,500, and the median age is 36.2.
The population of Orange County has grown 14.1% since 2010 (133,985 → 152,877), a +0.95% annualized rate.
147,292
Population
+0.95%
Annual growth
371
People / sq mi
$88,553
Median Income
$428,500
Median Home Value
Orange County covers 398 sq mi of land at 370.5 people per square mile.
About Orange County, NC
Educational attainment is the headline number in Orange County: 61.8% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. With 147,292 residents, Orange County is a county in North Carolina. It ranks #20 among counties in North Carolina by population.
Earnings sit at the high end: a median household income of $88,553, above the US median of $78,538. Only 5.4% of residents live in poverty, below the national 12.4%. Home prices are steep, with the typical property valued at $428,500, with typical rent around $1,387.
Degree attainment is near the top of the range for US counties: 61.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s, above the 35.0% national rate. An unusually large 24.2% of workers are remote, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 24 minutes each way.
The education numbers are the throughline: a college-heavy population in Orange County usually coincides with higher incomes and a workforce concentrated in professional and information industries.
Orange County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Orange County had a population of 133,985 in 2010 and 152,877 in 2024, a 14.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 152,877 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.96%.
152,877
Population (2024)
133,985
Population (2010)
152,877
Peak (2024)
0.96%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 133,985 |
| 2011 | 134,853 |
| 2012 | 137,870 |
| 2013 | 139,471 |
| 2014 | 140,432 |
| 2015 | 141,449 |
| 2016 | 142,849 |
| 2017 | 143,624 |
| 2018 | 148,029 |
| 2019 | 148,192 |
| 2020 | 143,732 |
| 2021 | 148,798 |
| 2022 | 150,744 |
| 2023 | 152,239 |
| 2024 | 152,877 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 70.5% |
| Black or African American | 10.6% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
36.2
Median Age
52.2%
Female
47.8%
Male
15.6%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 15.5% · Seniors (65+): 15.6%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $88,553+$18,649 vs state |
| Mean household income | $133,780 |
| Per-capita income | $51,856 |
| Poverty rate | 5.4%-4.0% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.2% |
| Employment-to-population | 59.7% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Orange County is professional & business services, accounting for 37.9% of workers.
How residents commute
4.2%
Drive alone
4.0%
Carpool
57.7%
Public transit
24.2%
Work from home
23.8 min
Avg commute
Housing
$428,500+$169,100 vs state
Median home value
$1,387
Median rent
64.2%
Homeownership rate
62,127
Total housing units
90.9%
Occupied
9.1%
Vacant
35.8%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
93.4%
With health insurance
97.3%
With broadband internet
43.4%
Foreign-born
4.9%
Veterans (18+)
8.6%
With a disability
83.5%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
93.2%
High School+
61.8%
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
Orange County, North Carolina has a population of 147,292 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 20th-largest county in North Carolina. Population density is 371 people per square mile.
The population of Orange County has grown 14.1% since 2010 (133,985 → 152,877), a +0.95% annualized rate.
The median household income in Orange County, North Carolina is $88,553, with mean (average) household income of $133,780 and per-capita income of $51,856. 5.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Orange County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (70.5%), Black or African American (10.6%), Hispanic or Latino (1.4%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Orange County, North Carolina is 36.2 years. Residents are 52.2% female and 47.8% male.
The median home value in Orange County is $428,500 and median monthly rent is $1,387. 64.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 62,127 total housing units, 9.1% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Orange County, North Carolina is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 37.9% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.2%.
Charlotte is among the largest cities associated with Orange County, North Carolina, with a population of 886,283.
More from North Carolina
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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.