City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Greensboro, NC

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

298,564
Residents
$58,884
Median income
$221,300
Median home
$1,330
Median rent (state)

Greensboro - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Greensboro places in the 34th percentile for household income and the 6th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

34th
percentile, household income
49th
percentile, home value
48th
percentile, median rent
6th
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: Greensboro, NC

298,564 people live in Greensboro, North Carolina - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Greensboro brings in $58,884 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 13.6%. Home values in Greensboro run a median of $221,300, and the median resident age is 34.1 years. 39.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 62.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 1,954 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 109% from five years earlier. Greensboro's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 4306.8 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts North Carolina at 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,330 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $215 across North Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Greensboro workers runs 19.4 minutes, with 73.7% driving alone and 11.8% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 93.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

298,564 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$58,884 /yr

Poverty 13.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Greensboro compare to other US cities?

Here's how Greensboro stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 34% higher than other cities
Home value 49% pricier than other cities
Median rent 48% pricier than other cities
Safety 6% 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, Greensboro ranks #159 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

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Greensboro's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in North Carolina, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

34thIncome percentile
6thSafety percentile

34th percentile nationally for median household income · 6th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Greensboro's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Greensboro'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 31 Avg. percentile National median
Greensboro'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 Greensboro's home value compares nationally

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

$221,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 51% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $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. Greensboro $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 - Greensboro, NC Greensboro, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Greensboro, 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 Greensboro, NC median $58,884/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%
Greensboro, 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 Greensboro, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 39.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.1%

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

Population
298,564
Median Income
$58,884
Median Home Value
$221,300
Median Age
34.1
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Labor force participation
62.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
39.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4306.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
923.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3383.1
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
83
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
290,000 residents295,000 residents300,000 residents305,000 residents310,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 295,849 residents 308,667 residents ▲ +4.3%
Greensboro's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
1,954
housing units authorized
Single-Family
618
detached homes
Multifamily
1,336
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 933
2020 1,438
2021 1,892
2022 1,143
2023 1,767
2024 1,954

Permit volume increased 109% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.4 minutes
Drive Alone
73.7%
Carpool
8.2%
Public Transit
2.4%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
11.8%
Other
1.6%

Based on 145,123 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 Greensboro sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,330/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Durham
288,465 people
Winston-Salem
250,887 people
Fayetteville
209,692 people
Cary
176,686 people
Raleigh
470,763 people
Wilmington
118,578 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Greensboro's 298,564 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Pittsburgh, PA
303,620 people
St. Louis, MO
293,109 people
Lincoln, NE
291,932 people
Newark, NJ
307,188 people
Jersey City, NJ
289,691 people
St. Paul, MN
307,762 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Greensboro's $58,884 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Winton, CA
$58,884 median income
Jamestown, MO
$58,889 median income
West Manchester, OH
$58,889 median income
West Baraboo, WI
$58,889 median income
Atwood, IL
$58,875 median income
Blomkest, MN
$58,875 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Greensboro, 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 Greensboro, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 40.4% 42.2% 7.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.4% White 40.4% Black or African American 42.2% Asian 5.0% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.5% Two or more races 7.5% 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 Greensboro 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
Greensboro (this city) 298,564 $58,884
Durham 288,465 $79,234
Winston-Salem 250,887 $57,673
Fayetteville 209,692 $56,395
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Greensboro, NC?

What is the population of Greensboro, NC? +

The population of Greensboro, NC stands at 298,564 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Greensboro households earn a median of $58,884 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Greensboro? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Greensboro; 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 Greensboro, NC safe? +

Greensboro has a total crime rate of 4306.8 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Greensboro, NC? +

Homes in Greensboro carry a median value of $221,300, 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 Editorial

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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.