Town · North Carolina
Carrboro, North Carolina
Carrboro, town, in Orange County, North Carolina. Carrboro had 20,962 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 21,295 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 21,204 (±51). GEOID 3710620.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,962
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 21,295 · ACS 2020-2024: 21,204 ±51
Median household income
$85,743
±$13,984 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$539,400
±$38,058 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,470
±$67 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Carrboro and what county is it in?
Carrboro is a town in Orange County, North Carolina. It covers 6.5 square miles of land, 3,285 residents per square mile in 2020.
Carrboro is in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Carrboro, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 20,962 people lived in Carrboro on July 1, 2025, down 1.5% since 2020, while North Carolina grew 7.2%. The 2020 Census counted 21,295 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 21,204 (±51).
| Measure | Carrboro | Orange County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 21,204 ±51 | 149,678 | no clear change |
| Households | 9,474 ±383 | 57,342 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.22 ±0.09 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,189 ±437 | 62,858 | no clear change |
Carrboro's population since 2000
From 16,782 in 2000 to 20,962 in 2025: up 24.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Carrboro as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Carrboro?
The median resident of Carrboro is 33.4 years old; 21.2% are under 18 and 10.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 61.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 13.6%. 15.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Carrboro | Orange County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.4 ±1.6 | 36.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.2% ±1.8 pts | 18.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 10.4% ±2.2 pts | 16.1% | – |
| Male | 50.2% ±2.2 pts | 47.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 13.6% ±3.0 pts | 10.6% | +6.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 61.2% ±3.3 pts | 66.2% | −7.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 12.9% ±2.4 pts | 10.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 7.2% ±1.8 pts | 7.8% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.5% ±1.3 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 15.9% ±2.3 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 19.0% ±2.8 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.7% ±1.2 pts | 4.7% | – |
| With a disability | 8.4% ±1.5 pts | 9.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.2% ±1.8 pts | 6.5% | −2.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.3% ±2.3 pts | 93.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 69.9% ±3.6 pts | 61.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 43.5% ±4.0 pts | 34.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 80.9% ±2.8 pts | 82.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 7.2% ±1.9 pts | 4.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Carrboro earn?
Half of Carrboro's 9,474 households earn less than $85,743 a year (±$13,984), against $90,089 in Orange County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $72,244 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Carrboro | Orange County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $85,743 ±$13,984 | $90,089 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $126,386 ±$7,201 | $136,307 | – |
| Per capita income | $55,875 ±$3,333 | $52,900 | +$6,402 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.2% ±2.9 pts | 12.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.6% ±7.1 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.0% ±2.2 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.1% ±1.7 pts | 97.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.1% ±2.0 pts | 94.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Carrboro?
Owners occupy 43.5% of Carrboro's occupied homes and renters 56.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $539,400 by its owner (±$38,058). The median renter pays $1,470 a month including utilities, and 48.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Carrboro | Orange County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $539,400 ±$38,058 | $459,500 | +$85,520 |
| Median gross rent | $1,470 ±$67 | $1,496 | +$143 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 48.0% ±5.9 pts | 48.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,796 ±$180 | $2,221 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 43.5% ±3.3 pts | 63.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 56.5% ±3.3 pts | 36.2% | – |
| Housing units | 10,189 ±437 | 62,858 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1% ±1.3 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.5% ±2.3 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 41.8% ±3.6 pts | 59.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9% ±0.7 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 12.0% ±2.5 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.4% ±0.8 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.2% ±2.4 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Carrboro building?
Builders took permits for 9 new housing units in Carrboro in 2025 (9 in single-family houses), 0.4 per 1,000 residents against 7.7 across North Carolina.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Carrboro work and get to work?
49.6% of Carrboro's workers drive alone and 27.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Carrboro | Orange County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 72.4% ±2.9 pts | 61.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% ±1.2 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 49.6% ±4.8 pts | 55.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.6% ±2.5 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 7.2% ±2.0 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Walked | 3.1% ±1.4 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 27.2% ±3.9 pts | 26.8% | +18.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.1 min ±1.5 | 23.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Carrboro?
6 census tracts lie mostly in Carrboro, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $46,250 (Tract 107.07) to $183,214 (Tract 107.06).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 107.05Orange County | 4,123 | $73,320 |
| Tract 107.08Orange County | 3,273 | $63,643 |
| Tract 107.07Orange County | 3,070 | $46,250 |
| Tract 112.08Orange County | 5,821 | $121,455 |
| Tract 107.06Orange County | 3,447 | $183,214 |
| Tract 107.09Orange County | 1,792 | $52,346 |
| Tract 107.10Orange County | 3,106 | $90,349 |
| Tract 107.01Orange County | 2,340 | $128,021 |
| Tract 122.02Orange County | 4,929 | $127,143 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Carrboro) · Census block assignment files
How does Carrboro compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Carrboro is the 1,862nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 49th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Carrboro ranks 109th of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 49th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 305th | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 3rd | 443 |
| Median household income | 109th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 53rd | 443 |
| Median home value | 27th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 67th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 215th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12th | 421 |
| Median age | 399th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 422nd | 443 |
| Work from home | 36th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 261st | 439 |
Carrboro's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Carrboro with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Carrboro?
7 of the 57 figures for Carrboro on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Carrboro are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Carrboro.