County · North Carolina
Orange County, North Carolina
Orange County, North Carolina. Orange County had 152,498 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.5% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 6 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 42 census tracts. GEOID 37135.
Orange County is one of the 4 counties of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
152,498
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 148,696 · ACS 2020-2024: 149,678
Median household income
$90,089
±$2,394 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$459,500
±$9,735 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,496
±$41 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Orange County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 148,696 residents in Orange County. The Census Bureau estimates 152,498 for July 1, 2025, up 2.5% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 149,678 over 398 square miles of land.
The yearly series starts from the Census Bureau's July 2020 estimate, 143,748, which differs from its April 2020 base of 148,711 (in 2020 the estimates dipped in many college and military towns), so the first step is large; the change since 2020 above is measured from the April base.
| Measure | Orange County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 149,678 | 10,730,404 | +4,842 |
| Households | 57,342±691 | 4,282,345 | +3,966 |
| Average household size | 2.40±0.03 | 2.44 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 62,858±144 | 4,895,668 | +4,602 |
Orange County's population since 2000
From 118,227 in 2000 to 152,498 in 2025: up 29.0%. 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 Orange County?
Orange County holds 6 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Chapel Hill with 63,565 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Chapel Hill | 61,960 | $85,989 |
|---|---|---|
| Carrboro | 21,295 | $85,743 |
| Hillsborough | 9,660 | $98,163 |
| Mebane | 17,797 | $83,174 |
| EflandGEOID 3720420 | 852 | $65,735 |
| Durham | 283,506 | $81,619 |
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 Orange County?
The median resident of Orange County is 36.1 years old; 18.9% are under 18 and 16.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 66.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.6%. 12.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Orange County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.1±0.2 | 39.1 | +1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 18.9% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.1%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.6% | 11.3% | +2.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 66.2%±0.3 pts | 60.0% | −3.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 10.1%±0.4 pts | 20.0% | −1.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 7.8%±0.2 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| 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 | 4.5%±0.5 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 12.9%±0.7 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 17.0%±0.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.7%±0.4 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 9.1%±0.5 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.5%±0.6 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.4%±0.9 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 61.8%±1.3 pts | 35.7% | +2.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 34.6%±1.4 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.6%±0.6 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 Orange County earn?
Half of Orange County's 57,342 households earn less than $90,089 a year (±$2,394), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $88,269 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Orange County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $90,089±$2,394 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $136,307±$3,460 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $52,900±$1,406 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.5%±1.0 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 9.6%±1.9 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.8%±0.7 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.0%±0.8 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 Orange County?
Owners occupy 63.8% of Orange County's occupied homes and renters 36.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $459,500 by its owner (±$9,735). The median renter pays $1,496 a month including utilities, and 48.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Orange County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $459,500±$9,735 | $288,900 | +$79,462 |
| Median gross rent | $1,496±$41 | $1,228 | +$151 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 48.5%±2.7 pts | 39.6% | +6.2 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,221±$67 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.8%±1.3 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 62,858±144 | 4,895,668 | +4,602 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2%±0.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.5%±1.4 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 59.3%±1.2 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.2%±0.7 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.2%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.8%±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 Orange County building?
Builders took permits for 666 new housing units across Orange County in 2025 (299 single-family), 4.4 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 Orange County get to work?
55.3% of Orange County's workers drive alone and 26.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Orange County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.8%±0.9 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6%±0.6 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 55.3%±1.7 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.2%±0.9 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 4.2%±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 4.4%±0.7 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 26.8%±1.4 pts | 16.3% | +17.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.6 min±0.8 | 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 are Orange County's census tracts?
Orange County is divided into 42 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $29,226 (Tract 116.02) to $184,954 (Tract 112.04).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Orange County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 21st of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 64th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 14th of 100 |
| Median household income | 6th of 100 |
| Median home value | 3rd of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 4th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 68th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1st of 100 |
| Median age | 92nd 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 Orange 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.