City · North Carolina
Sanford, North Carolina
Sanford, city, in Lee County, North Carolina. Sanford had 34,138 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 13.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 30,261 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 31,478 (±47). GEOID 3759280.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
34,138
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 30,261 · ACS 2020-2024: 31,478 ±47
Median household income
$57,586
±$5,084 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$245,400
±$17,162 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,052
±$43 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Sanford and what county is it in?
Sanford is a city in Lee County, North Carolina. It covers 33.2 square miles of land, 912 residents per square mile in 2020.
Sanford is in the Sanford, NC micropolitan statistical area (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 Sanford, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 34,138 people lived in Sanford on July 1, 2025, up 13.1% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 30,261 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 31,478 (±47).
| Measure | Sanford | Lee County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 31,478 ±47 | 65,816 | +2,022 |
| Households | 11,359 ±414 | 25,145 | +941 |
| Average household size | 2.71 ±0.10 | 2.58 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,531 ±362 | 27,166 | +975 |
Sanford's population since 2000
From 23,220 in 2000 to 34,138 in 2025: up 47.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Sanford 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 Sanford?
The median resident of Sanford is 34.7 years old; 27.9% are under 18 and 15.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 41.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 30.0%. 15.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Sanford | Lee County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.7 ±1.2 | 39.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 27.9% ±1.5 pts | 23.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.1% ±1.6 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Male | 49.9% ±1.6 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 30.0% ±2.3 pts | 21.7% | +3.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 41.8% ±2.4 pts | 55.8% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 23.1% ±2.2 pts | 17.2% | −4.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±0.5 pts | 0.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9% ±1.4 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 15.0% ±2.2 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 28.8% ±2.4 pts | 20.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.3% ±1.3 pts | 7.2% | – |
| With a disability | 14.6% ±2.0 pts | 16.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.6% ±2.3 pts | 12.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 79.2% ±2.8 pts | 84.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.6% ±2.6 pts | 21.3% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.0% ±1.5 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.1% ±2.6 pts | 89.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5% ±0.8 pts | 1.2% | – |
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 Sanford earn?
Half of Sanford's 11,359 households earn less than $57,586 a year (±$5,084), against $65,387 in Lee County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $57,738 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 22.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Sanford | Lee County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,586 ±$5,084 | $65,387 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $74,264 ±$4,736 | $81,746 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,130 ±$1,664 | $32,243 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 22.0% ±3.4 pts | 16.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 33.9% ±6.6 pts | 26.1% | +10.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.0% ±2.9 pts | 15.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.6% ±2.3 pts | 95.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 73.5% ±4.1 pts | 78.1% | – |
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 Sanford?
Owners occupy 53.3% of Sanford's occupied homes and renters 46.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $245,400 by its owner (±$17,162). The median renter pays $1,052 a month including utilities, and 41.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Sanford | Lee County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $245,400 ±$17,162 | $240,200 | +$70,395 |
| Median gross rent | $1,052 ±$43 | $1,017 | +$125 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.5% ±6.2 pts | 35.8% | +8.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,456 ±$83 | $1,448 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 53.3% ±3.2 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 46.7% ±3.2 pts | 32.7% | – |
| Housing units | 12,531 ±362 | 27,166 | +975 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1% ±1.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.9% ±3.6 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.6% ±3.3 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.0% ±1.6 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.9% ±1.3 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 12.8% ±2.3 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.2% ±1.4 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.7% ±1.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
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 Sanford building?
Builders took permits for 554 new housing units in Sanford in 2025 (554 in single-family houses), 16.2 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 Sanford work and get to work?
77.4% of Sanford's workers drive alone and 8.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.4%.
| Measure | Sanford | Lee County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.5% ±2.4 pts | 60.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4% ±1.8 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.4% ±3.3 pts | 80.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.5% ±2.8 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.0% ±0.7 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.1% ±1.9 pts | 6.7% | +6.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.3 min ±1.6 | 25.8 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 Sanford?
7 census tracts lie mostly in Sanford, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $28,801 (Tract 303) to $103,750 (Tract 301.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 304.02Lee County | 7,758 | $55,089 |
| Tract 301.02Lee County | 5,857 | $103,750 |
| Tract 301.01Lee County | 4,462 | $52,878 |
| Tract 302Lee County | 3,610 | $34,196 |
| Tract 303Lee County | 2,965 | $28,801 |
| Tract 304.01Lee County | 4,426 | $51,333 |
| Tract 306.01Lee County | 3,781 | $98,333 |
| Tract 305.06Lee County | 2,264 | $78,234 |
| Tract 305.07Lee County | 3,777 | $87,212 |
| Tract 307.04Lee County | 3,169 | $62,807 |
| Tract 306.02Lee County | 5,676 | $65,361 |
| Tract 307.03Lee County | 1,677 | $55,882 |
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 Sanford) · Census block assignment files
How does Sanford compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Sanford is the 1,213th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 35th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Sanford ranks 260th 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 | 35th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 42nd | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 220th | 443 |
| Median household income | 260th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 324th | 443 |
| Median home value | 216th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 187th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 96th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 292nd | 421 |
| Median age | 381st | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 347th | 443 |
| Work from home | 226th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 253rd | 439 |
Sanford's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Sanford 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 Sanford?
6 of the 57 figures for Sanford 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 Sanford 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 Sanford.