County · North Carolina
Johnston County, North Carolina
Johnston County, North Carolina. Johnston County had 256,448 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 18.7% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 12 places (12 cities, villages and boroughs) and 53 census tracts. GEOID 37101.
Johnston County is one of the 3 counties of the Raleigh-Cary, NC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
256,448
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 215,999 · ACS 2020-2024: 234,263
Median household income
$83,384
±$2,239 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$305,600
±$6,039 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,146
±$76 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Johnston County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 215,999 residents in Johnston County. The Census Bureau estimates 256,448 for July 1, 2025, up 18.7% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 234,263 over 792 square miles of land.
| Measure | Johnston County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 234,263 | 10,730,404 | +37,393 |
| Households | 85,591±730 | 4,282,345 | +16,623 |
| Average household size | 2.72±0.02 | 2.44 | −0.11 |
| Housing units | 91,218±65 | 4,895,668 | +15,780 |
Johnston County's population since 2000
From 121,965 in 2000 to 256,448 in 2025: up 110.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Johnston County?
Johnston County holds 12 places: 12 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Clayton with 32,633 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Clayton | 26,307 | $78,822 |
|---|---|---|
| Smithfield | 11,292 | $43,270 |
| Selma | 6,317 | $41,368 |
| Archer Lodge | 4,797 | $91,188 |
| Benson | 3,967 | $67,102 |
| Wilson's Mills | 2,534 | $62,813 |
| Four Oaks | 2,158 | $72,826 |
| Pine Level | 2,046 | $75,263 |
| Princeton | 1,315 | $45,500 |
| Kenly | 1,491 | $57,045 |
| Micro | 458 | $44,531 |
| Zebulon | 6,903 | $79,112 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Johnston County?
The median resident of Johnston County is 38.1 years old; 24.9% are under 18 and 13.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 61.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 16.8%. 8.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Johnston County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.1±0.3 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.9%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.7%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 16.8% | 11.3% | +3.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 61.4%±0.4 pts | 60.0% | −6.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 16.7%±0.3 pts | 20.0% | +1.2 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | +0.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.5 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.3%±0.5 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 15.5%±0.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.4%±0.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 13.0%±0.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.4%±0.8 pts | 9.9% | −1.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.5%±0.8 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.9%±1.2 pts | 35.7% | +6.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.3%±0.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.3%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 Johnston County earn?
Half of Johnston County's 85,591 households earn less than $83,384 a year (±$2,239), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $73,675 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $9,709 after inflation. 10.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Johnston County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $83,384±$2,239 | $72,388 | +$9,709 |
| Mean household income | $103,515±$3,050 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,897±$1,109 | $41,385 | +$4,531 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.6%±1.1 pts | 13.0% | −1.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.3%±2.1 pts | 17.7% | −4.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.4%±1.1 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.4%±1.1 pts | 90.1% | – |
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 Johnston County?
Owners occupy 76.1% of Johnston County's occupied homes and renters 23.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $305,600 by its owner (±$6,039). The median renter pays $1,146 a month including utilities, and 37.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Johnston County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $305,600±$6,039 | $288,900 | +$102,412 |
| Median gross rent | $1,146±$76 | $1,228 | +$91 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.1%±4.3 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,665±$31 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.1%±1.4 pts | 66.6% | +3.1 pts |
| Housing units | 91,218±65 | 4,895,668 | +15,780 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.8%±1.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.8%±1.4 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.9%±1.0 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 5.7%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.1%±0.6 pts | 4.9% | – |
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 Johnston County building?
Builders took permits for 3,002 new housing units across Johnston County in 2025 (2,633 single-family), 11.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Johnston County get to work?
75.8% of Johnston County's workers drive alone and 14.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | Johnston County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.2%±0.9 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±0.5 pts | 4.7% | −0.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 75.8%±1.3 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.9%±0.8 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.7%±1.2 pts | 16.3% | +8.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.2 min±0.7 | 25.1 min | +1.3 min |
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 are Johnston County's census tracts?
Johnston County is divided into 53 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $34,142 (Tract 403.03) to $156,944 (Tract 402.10).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Johnston County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 12th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 4th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 20th of 100 |
| Median household income | 11th of 100 |
| Median home value | 22nd of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 24th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 83rd of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28th of 100 |
| Median age | 85th of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Johnston County 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' school search.