Town · North Carolina
Zebulon, North Carolina
Zebulon, town, in Wake County, North Carolina. Zebulon had 11,933 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 72.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 6,903 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 8,711 (±40). GEOID 3776220.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,933
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,903 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,711 ±40
Median household income
$79,112
±$14,209 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$320,700
±$21,627 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,109
±$170 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Zebulon and what county is it in?
Zebulon is a town in Wake County, North Carolina. It covers 6.6 square miles of land, 1,041 residents per square mile in 2020.
Zebulon is in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Wake County | 6,903 | 100.0% |
| Johnston County | land only, no residents | – |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Zebulon, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 11,933 people lived in Zebulon on July 1, 2025, up 72.6% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 6,903 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 8,711 (±40).
| Measure | Zebulon | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,711 ±40 | 1,178,653 | +3,307 |
| Households | 3,252 ±233 | 460,175 | +1,368 |
| Average household size | 2.64 ±0.19 | 2.51 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,474 ±238 | 496,047 | +1,475 |
Zebulon's population since 2000
From 4,046 in 2000 to 11,933 in 2025: up 194.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Zebulon 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 Zebulon?
The median resident of Zebulon is 38.3 years old; 23.9% are under 18 and 12.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 45.6%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 29.0%. 22.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Zebulon | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.3 ±5.5 | 37.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.9% ±5.5 pts | 23.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.9% ±4.2 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Male | 47.1% ±4.0 pts | 49.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 22.9% ±10.5 pts | 11.6% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 29.0% ±7.4 pts | 56.2% | −18.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 45.6% ±9.0 pts | 18.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.7 pts | 8.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.8% ±2.1 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 22.5% ±9.9 pts | 15.3% | +12.8 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 25.0% ±9.7 pts | 19.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.5% ±3.9 pts | 5.6% | – |
| With a disability | 16.8% ±6.0 pts | 9.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 17.8% ±9.6 pts | 7.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 80.7% ±12.1 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.9% ±7.4 pts | 57.2% | +12.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.0% ±3.8 pts | 23.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.3% ±6.1 pts | 85.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.1% ±4.0 pts | 3.4% | – |
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 Zebulon earn?
Half of Zebulon's 3,252 households earn less than $79,112 a year (±$14,209), against $105,768 in Wake County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $57,657 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $21,455 after inflation. 9.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Zebulon | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $79,112 ±$14,209 | $105,768 | +$21,455 |
| Mean household income | $87,830 ±$11,017 | $139,586 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,526 ±$4,146 | $55,448 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.0% ±4.9 pts | 8.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.7% ±9.0 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.8% ±4.5 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 87.5% ±9.6 pts | 98.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.9% ±9.5 pts | 95.3% | – |
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 Zebulon?
Owners occupy 62.7% of Zebulon's occupied homes and renters 37.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $320,700 by its owner (±$21,627). The median renter pays $1,109 a month including utilities, and 69.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Zebulon | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $320,700 ±$21,627 | $461,300 | +$160,587 |
| Median gross rent | $1,109 ±$170 | $1,623 | −$308 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 69.6% ±16.3 pts | 38.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,776 ±$177 | $2,113 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.7% ±8.7 pts | 64.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 37.3% ±8.7 pts | 35.9% | – |
| Housing units | 3,474 ±238 | 496,047 | +1,475 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±2.0 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±3.4 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.9% ±8.3 pts | 58.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.1% ±8.4 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 14.3% ±6.0 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 27.1% ±8.6 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.7% ±2.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.7% ±6.2 pts | 4.4% | – |
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 Zebulon building?
Builders took permits for 533 new housing units in Zebulon in 2025 (533 in single-family houses), 44.7 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 Zebulon work and get to work?
69.0% of Zebulon's workers drive alone and 22.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.1%.
| Measure | Zebulon | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.7% ±5.7 pts | 69.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% ±4.2 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 69.0% ±8.4 pts | 61.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.3% ±4.2 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.0 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 2.1% ±3.3 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 22.2% ±7.6 pts | 29.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.4 min ±3.7 | 25.1 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 Zebulon?
1 census tract lies mostly in Zebulon, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 543.04Wake County | 7,110 | $125,362 |
| Tract 543.05Wake County | 3,806 | $68,365 |
| Tract 543.06Wake County | 3,702 | $62,857 |
| Tract 402.04Johnston County | 6,088 | $70,884 |
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 Zebulon) · Census block assignment files
How does Zebulon compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Zebulon is the 2,839th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 83rd-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Zebulon ranks 142nd 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 | 83rd | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 3rd | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 177th | 443 |
| Median household income | 142nd | 434 |
| Per capita income | 215th | 443 |
| Median home value | 145th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 158th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 258th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 173rd | 421 |
| Median age | 286th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 259th | 443 |
| Work from home | 65th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 28th | 439 |
Zebulon's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Zebulon 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 Zebulon?
15 of the 57 figures for Zebulon 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 Zebulon 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 Zebulon.