City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Carrboro, NC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Carrboro - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

21,170
Residents
$85,927
Median income
$507,100
Median home
$1,711
Median rent (state)

Carrboro - the verdict

Nationally, Carrboro sits in the 67th percentile for household income and the 29th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

67th
percentile, household income
85th
percentile, home value
69th
percentile, median rent
29th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Carrboro, NC

North Carolina's Carrboro is a small city, with 21,170 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $85,927 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.2%. Carrboro's housing stock carries a median value of $507,100, and the median resident age is 34.0 years. Educational attainment runs 70.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 69.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 30 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 35% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2109.8 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, North Carolina scores 94.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,711 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts North Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $215 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 79.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

21,170 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$85,927 /yr

Poverty 5.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Carrboro compare to other US cities?

Carrboro measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 67% higher than other cities
Home value 85% pricier than other cities
Median rent 69% pricier than other cities
Safety 29% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at North Carolina, Carrboro ranks #80 of 195 North Carolina cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Carrboro against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to North Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

North Carolina-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is Carrboro's strongest outlier among North Carolina cities

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Carrboro ranks #19 - the 97th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Carrboro only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#122 of 700
83rd percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#33 of 746
94th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#35 of 708
95th percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#502 of 746
33rd percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#19 of 746
97th percentile in North Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within North Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

67thIncome percentile
29thSafety percentile

67th percentile nationally for median household income · 29th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Carrboro's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Carrboro's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 40 Avg. percentile National median
Carrboro's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Carrboro's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$507,100 15th percentile more affordable than 15% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Carrboro $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Carrboro, NC Carrboro, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Carrboro, NC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Carrboro, NC median $85,927/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Carrboro, NC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Carrboro, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 70.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 69.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
21,170
Median Income
$85,927
Median Home Value
$507,100
Median Age
34.0
Poverty Rate
5.2%
Labor force participation
69.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
70.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2109.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
180.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1929.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
20,900 residents21,000 residents21,100 residents21,200 residents21,300 residents21,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 21,280 residents 20,962 residents ▼ -1.5%
Carrboro's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
30
housing units authorized
Single-Family
30
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 46
2020 22
2021 66
2022 43
2023 30
2024 30

Permit volume decreased 35% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
52.5%
Carpool
7.1%
Public Transit
7.7%
Walk
3.0%
Work from Home
23.9%
Other
5.8%

Based on 11,852 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Carrboro sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,711/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
79.1 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Waxhaw
21,565 people
Clemmons
21,574 people
Shelby
21,868 people
Lexington
19,691 people
Kinston
19,576 people
Boone
19,534 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Carrboro's 21,170 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Baldwin, PA
21,159 people
Snellville, GA
21,203 people
Willmar, MN
21,136 people
Montgomery, IL
21,205 people
Bryant, AR
21,125 people
Lebanon, OH
21,216 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Carrboro's $85,927 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bella Vista, AR
$85,932 median income
Coalville, UT
$85,921 median income
Rush Valley, UT
$85,917 median income
Holcomb, KS
$85,938 median income
New London, NH
$85,938 median income
Plain, WI
$85,938 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Carrboro, NC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Carrboro, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 67.3% 13.3% 7.9% 7.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.6% White 67.3% Black or African American 13.3% Asian 7.9% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.9% Two or more races 7.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Carrboro compares to nearby North Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Carrboro (this city) 21,170 $85,927
Waxhaw 21,565 $128,115
Clemmons 21,574 $84,326
Shelby 21,868 $50,705
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Carrboro, NC?

What is the population of Carrboro, NC? +

The population of Carrboro, NC stands at 21,170 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Carrboro, NC? +

Carrboro households earn a median of $85,927 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Carrboro? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Carrboro; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

Is Carrboro, NC safe? +

Carrboro has a total crime rate of 2109.8 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Carrboro, NC? +

A typical home in Carrboro is worth $507,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.