City · North Carolina
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem, city, in Forsyth County, North Carolina. Winston-Salem had 257,271 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 249,545 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 252,037 (±74). GEOID 3775000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
257,271
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 249,545 · ACS 2020-2024: 252,037 ±74
Median household income
$59,268
±$1,883 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$233,800
±$5,817 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,087
±$22 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Winston-Salem and what county is it in?
Winston-Salem is a city in Forsyth County, North Carolina. It covers 133.7 square miles of land, 1,867 residents per square mile in 2020.
Winston-Salem is in the Winston-Salem, NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 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 Winston-Salem, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 257,271 people lived in Winston-Salem on July 1, 2025, up 3.1% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 249,545 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 252,037 (±74).
| Measure | Winston-Salem | Forsyth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 252,037 ±74 | 389,977 | +7,922 |
| Households | 103,058 ±1,139 | 159,925 | +8,101 |
| Average household size | 2.35 ±0.03 | 2.37 | −0.11 |
| Housing units | 115,270 ±925 | 175,631 | +7,221 |
Winston-Salem's population since 2000
From 185,776 in 2000 to 257,271 in 2025: up 38.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem?
The median resident of Winston-Salem is 35.9 years old; 23.0% are under 18 and 15.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 43.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 31.2%. 11.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Winston-Salem | Forsyth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.9 ±0.4 | 38.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.0% ±0.4 pts | 22.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.4% ±0.3 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Male | 46.6% ±0.3 pts | 47.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 18.2% ±0.6 pts | 15.1% | +3.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 43.6% ±0.8 pts | 53.5% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 31.2% ±0.8 pts | 24.6% | −3.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.3% ±0.3 pts | 2.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.0% ±0.6 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.2% ±0.6 pts | 9.7% | +1.3 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 19.5% ±1.0 pts | 16.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.7% ±0.5 pts | 6.3% | – |
| With a disability | 12.8% ±0.6 pts | 12.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.2% ±0.8 pts | 9.8% | −1.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.1% ±0.7 pts | 90.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 39.5% ±1.2 pts | 38.5% | +5.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.7% ±0.8 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.3% ±0.9 pts | 87.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.8% ±0.5 pts | 3.3% | – |
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 Winston-Salem earn?
Half of Winston-Salem's 103,058 households earn less than $59,268 a year (±$1,883), against $67,165 in Forsyth County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $56,304 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $2,964 after inflation. 17.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Winston-Salem | Forsyth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,268 ±$1,883 | $67,165 | +$2,964 |
| Mean household income | $89,145 ±$2,552 | $94,029 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,345 ±$1,095 | $39,203 | +$1,875 |
| People below the poverty line | 17.7% ±1.2 pts | 14.5% | −3.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.9% ±2.7 pts | 21.2% | −6.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.8% ±1.3 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.9% ±0.6 pts | 95.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.4% ±1.1 pts | 90.2% | – |
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 Winston-Salem?
Owners occupy 55.6% of Winston-Salem's occupied homes and renters 44.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $233,800 by its owner (±$5,817). The median renter pays $1,087 a month including utilities, and 41.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Winston-Salem | Forsyth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $233,800 ±$5,817 | $250,400 | +$51,780 |
| Median gross rent | $1,087 ±$22 | $1,098 | +$95 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.1% ±2.6 pts | 39.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,459 ±$40 | $1,500 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 55.6% ±1.2 pts | 63.6% | +2.1 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 44.4% ±1.2 pts | 36.4% | – |
| Housing units | 115,270 ±925 | 175,631 | +7,221 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.3% ±0.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.8% ±1.5 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.6% ±1.1 pts | 66.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.0% ±0.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.1% ±0.5 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.6% ±0.7 pts | 10.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.0% ±0.6 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.2% ±0.7 pts | 6.2% | – |
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 Winston-Salem building?
Builders took permits for 1,376 new housing units in Winston-Salem in 2025 (1,364 in single-family houses), 5.3 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 Winston-Salem work and get to work?
71.7% of Winston-Salem's workers drive alone and 14.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.7%.
| Measure | Winston-Salem | Forsyth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.5% ±0.9 pts | 62.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7% ±0.7 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.7% ±1.3 pts | 73.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.5% ±0.9 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.1% ±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 2.0% ±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.1% ±1.0 pts | 14.5% | +9.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.5 min ±0.7 | 22.7 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 Winston-Salem?
62 census tracts lie mostly in Winston-Salem, and 16 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $15,500 (Tract 16.02) to $164,423 (Tract 25.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 39.04Forsyth County | 7,455 | $74,914 |
| Tract 38.05Forsyth County | 6,680 | $60,951 |
| Tract 27.01Forsyth County | 6,510 | $56,202 |
| Tract 37.03Forsyth County | 8,900 | $75,380 |
| Tract 33.09Forsyth County | 5,878 | $60,112 |
| Tract 35Forsyth County | 8,234 | $50,917 |
| Tract 33.08Forsyth County | 8,387 | $104,236 |
| Tract 37.02Forsyth County | 5,591 | $55,192 |
| Tract 17Forsyth County | 5,544 | $42,511 |
| Tract 36Forsyth County | 7,341 | $64,759 |
| Tract 26.04Forsyth County | 5,618 | $120,060 |
| Tract 15Forsyth County | 5,006 | $46,179 |
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 Winston-Salem) · Census block assignment files
How does Winston-Salem compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Winston-Salem is the 90th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 5th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Winston-Salem ranks 246th 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 | 5th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 208th | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 40th | 443 |
| Median household income | 246th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 160th | 443 |
| Median home value | 237th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 165th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 140th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 125th | 421 |
| Median age | 360th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 322nd | 443 |
| Work from home | 136th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 319th | 439 |
Winston-Salem's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem?
2 of the 57 figures for Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem.