City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Zebulon, NC

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

7,961
Residents
$58,940
Median income
$275,400
Median home
$1,750
Median rent (state)

Zebulon - the verdict

Zebulon ranks in the 34th percentile for household income and the 18th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

34th
percentile, household income
61st
percentile, home value
71st
percentile, median rent
18th
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: Zebulon, NC

Zebulon is a small town in North Carolina, home to 7,961 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Zebulon households earn a median of $58,940 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.7%. Typical homes in Zebulon are valued around $275,400, and the median resident age is 35.2 years. 24.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 59.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 639 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 143% from five years earlier. Zebulon's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2781.0 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: the state registers 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,750 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in North Carolina run around $215, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 51.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

7,961 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$58,940 /yr

Poverty 7.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Zebulon compare to other US cities?

Zebulon measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 34% higher than other cities
Home value 61% pricier than other cities
Median rent 71% pricier than other cities
Safety 18% 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, Zebulon ranks #102 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 Zebulon'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
18thSafety percentile

34th percentile nationally for median household income · 18th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Zebulon's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Zebulon'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 29 Avg. percentile National median
Zebulon'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 Zebulon's home value compares nationally

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

$275,400 39th percentile more affordable than 39% 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%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Zebulon $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 - Zebulon, NC Zebulon, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Zebulon, 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 Zebulon, NC median $58,940/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%
Zebulon, 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 Zebulon, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 24.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.2%

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

Population
7,961
Median Income
$58,940
Median Home Value
$275,400
Median Age
35.2
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Labor force participation
59.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
24.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2781.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
328.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2452.7
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
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
6,000 residents8,000 residents10,000 residents12,000 residents14,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,038 residents 11,933 residents ▲ +69.6%
Zebulon's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
639
housing units authorized
Single-Family
639
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
80.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 263
2020 407
2021 319
2022 393
2023 475
2024 639

Permit volume increased 143% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
70.8%
Carpool
6.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.1%
Work from Home
21.2%
Other
0.7%

Based on 3,751 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 Zebulon sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,750/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
51.7 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Woodfin
7,957 people
Butner
7,996 people
Siler City
7,905 people
Fletcher
8,022 people
Brevard
7,795 people
Half Moon
7,780 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Zebulon's 7,961 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

North Weeki Wachee, FL
7,967 people
Crestwood, NJ
7,951 people
Waikele, HI
7,950 people
Emmett, ID
7,948 people
Oak Grove, KY
7,945 people
Carneys Point, NJ
7,945 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Zebulon's $58,940 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Norwalk, OH
$58,940 median income
Mendota, IL
$58,939 median income
Isabel, KS
$58,938 median income
Petersburg, TN
$58,942 median income
New Albin, IA
$58,936 median income
Solvay, NY
$58,944 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Zebulon, 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 Zebulon, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 35.3% 38.5% 12.1% 13.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 23.7% White 35.3% Black or African American 38.5% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 12.1% Two or more races 13.4% 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 Zebulon 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
Zebulon (this city) 7,961 $58,940
Woodfin 7,957 $62,759
Butner 7,996 $72,917
Siler City 7,905 $51,751
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Zebulon, NC?

What is the population of Zebulon, NC? +

Zebulon, NC counts 7,961 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Zebulon, the typical household earns $58,940 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Zebulon? +

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

Zebulon has a total crime rate of 2781.0 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 Zebulon, NC? +

Zebulon's median home value sits at $275,400, 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.