Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

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Sanford, NC

CSARaleigh-Durham-Cary MSASanford

Sanford, NC Population, Income & Demographics 2026

Census

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Demographicsi2024 ACS 5-Year EstimatesCensus

31,478population

34.7median age

This community is a community of 31,478 with a median age of 34.7. The population is predominantly White (41.8%) with a significant Hispanic/Latino community (30%). Median household income is $57,586. 79.2% of adults hold a high school diploma or higher, and 21.6% have a bachelor's degree. The homeownership rate is 53.3%, with a median home value of $245,400.

Race & Ethnicityi

White

41.8%13,165

Hispanic/Latino

30%9,459

Black

23.1%7,269

Two or More

3.9%1,241

Asian

0.9%297

Other

0.1%20

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%19

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%8

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

4.8%966

High School Diploma

20.2%4,037

Some College (<1 yr)

5.1%1,013

Some College (1+ yr)

15.3%3,060

Associate's Degree

12.2%2,447

Bachelor's Degree

14.6%2,928

Master's Degree

5.7%1,147

Professional Degree

0.9%176

Doctorate

0.4%76

HS or Higher

79.2%

BA or Higher

21.6%

Graduate+

Housingi

$245,400median home value

$1,052median rent

53.3%homeownership

12,531total units

9.4%vacancy

Tenure

Owner 53.3%

Renter 46.7%

Home Values

Under $50K

7.6%460

$50K–$100K

10.8%651

$100K–$150K

10.1%610

$150K–$200K

7.9%477

$200K–$300K

29.5%1,786

$300K–$500K

26.3%1,594

$500K–$1M

7.1%428

$1M+

0.8%46

Rent Distribution

Under $500

457

$500–$750

807

$750–$1,000

999

$1,000–$1,250

1,313

$1,250–$1,500

820

$1,500–$2,000

441

$2,000+

234

Year Built

2020 or later

2.9%368

2010–2019

12.8%1,604

2000–2009

15.6%1,952

1990–1999

11.4%1,425

1980–1989

13.5%1,695

1970–1979

15.4%1,925

1960–1969

11%1,376

1950–1959

9.5%1,194

1940–1949

3.7%467

1939 or earlier

4.2%525

Heating Fuel

Electricity

68.8%7,817

Utility Gas

24.9%2,832

Bottled/LP Gas

5%566

No Fuel

0.6%72

Fuel Oil

0.5%62

Other

0.1%10

Household Economyi

$57,586median household income

$28,130per capita income

21.5%poverty rate

4.4%unemployment

14,503labor force

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

6%680

$10K–$15K

3.8%431

$15K–$20K

4.3%490

$20K–$25K

4.5%513

$25K–$30K

6.2%703

$30K–$35K

7.4%838

$35K–$40K

3.9%447

$40K–$45K

3.4%388

$45K–$50K

4.6%526

$50K–$60K

8.4%957

$60K–$75K

10.9%1,237

$75K–$100K

12.1%1,373

$100K–$125K

9.3%1,053

$125K–$150K

4.3%489

$150K–$200K

6.5%741

$200K+

4.3%493

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

753

Residentsi

1,083

Avg. Tenant Renti

$336/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

9 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing167 homes85% occupied$326/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers202 homes79% occupied$316/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 848 homes84% occupied$454/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

811/PRAC7 homes

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $57,586/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $17K/yr

73.3%

Very low income$17K–$29K/yr

20.3%

Low income$29K–$46K/yr

5.6%

Moderate / aboveOver $46K/yr

0.8%

Who Receives This Housing

81.4% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

80.5% of subsidized households are minority

16.1% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

30.4% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

4,70815%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

2,137

Guatemala

522

India

131

China

Philippines

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

13,646

Avg. Commutei

23.3 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

13,782

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,209(5.3% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

84.4%Insured

15.6%Uninsured