City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Sanford, NC

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

30,833
Residents
$54,294
Median income
$222,000
Median home
$1,136
Median rent (state)

Sanford - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Sanford places in the 26th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

26th
percentile, household income
49th
percentile, home value
31st
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Sanford, NC

Sanford is a small city in North Carolina, home to 30,833 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $54,294 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 16.8%. Typical homes in Sanford are valued around $222,000, and the median resident age is 34.9 years. About 22.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 59.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 435 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 326% from five years earlier. The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 60.8°F with 46.9 inches of precipitation per year and 2.4 inches of snowfall.

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 $1,136 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in North Carolina run around $215, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Sanford workers runs 21.7 minutes, with 78.2% driving alone and 5.7% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 67.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

30,833 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$54,294 /yr

Poverty 16.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Sanford compare to other US cities?

Where Sanford sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 26% higher than other cities
Home value 49% pricier than other cities
Median rent 31% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Sanford 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

Poverty Rate sits close to the middle of North Carolina's city distribution

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Sanford ranks #199 - the 73rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Sanford only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#402 of 700
43rd percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#384 of 746
48th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#271 of 708
62nd percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#199 of 746
73rd percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#357 of 746
52nd 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.

26thIncome percentile

26th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Sanford's home value compares nationally

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

$222,000 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. Sanford $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 - Sanford, NC Sanford, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sanford, 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 Sanford, NC median $54,294/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%
Sanford, 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 Sanford, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.9%

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

Population
30,833
Median Income
$54,294
Median Home Value
$222,000
Median Age
34.9
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Labor force participation
59.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.4%

Climate

Avg Temperature
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
46.9"
Annual Snowfall
2.4"

Schools

Total Schools
21
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
28,000 residents30,000 residents32,000 residents34,000 residents36,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 30,227 residents 34,138 residents ▲ +12.9%
Sanford's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
435
housing units authorized
Single-Family
435
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
14.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 102
2020 145
2021 116
2022 186
2023 356
2024 435

Permit volume increased 326% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
21.7 minutes
Drive Alone
78.2%
Carpool
13.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.3%
Work from Home
5.7%
Other
1.0%

Based on 13,729 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 Sanford sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,136/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
67.5 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Morrisville
30,471 people
New Bern
31,563 people
Matthews
29,959 people
Cornelius
32,009 people
Statesville
29,161 people
Garner
32,543 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sanford's 30,833 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Ballwin, MO
30,835 people
North Attleborough, MA
30,842 people
La Verne, CA
30,804 people
North Chicago, IL
30,772 people
Springfield, VA
30,894 people
Westfield, NJ
30,760 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sanford's $54,294 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hamilton, OH
$54,293 median income
Brockway, PA
$54,293 median income
Greene, IA
$54,298 median income
Clifton, CO
$54,301 median income
Hartford, AL
$54,286 median income
Winchester, IL
$54,286 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sanford, 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 Sanford, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 52.5% 24.3% 8.5% 12.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 30.9% White 52.5% Black or African American 24.3% Asian 1.7% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.5% Two or more races 12.8% 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 Sanford 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
Sanford (this city) 30,833 $54,294
Morrisville 30,471 $125,404
New Bern 31,563 $56,893
Matthews 29,959 $105,579
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sanford, NC?

What is the population of Sanford, NC? +

Sanford, NC has a population of 30,833 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Sanford, the typical household earns $54,294 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sanford? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Sanford; 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.

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

Sanford's median home value sits at $222,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Sanford? +

Sanford has an average annual temperature of 60.8°F, 46.9 inches of precipitation, and 2.4 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.