Durham County Demographics

A map of Durham County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	138,543	133,768	41.7%	41.2%
Black	105,711	109,225	31.8%	33.6%
Hispanic	52,523	50,104	15.8%	15.4%
Asian	17,932	16,707	5.4%	5.1%
Multiracial	15,087	12,433	4.5%	3.8%
Native American/Other	2,557	2,596	0.8%	0.8%

Durham County, North Carolina has an estimated population of 332,353, a slight increase from the 324,833 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 41.7% White, 31.8% Black, 15.8% Hispanic, 5.4% Asian, 4.5% Multiracial, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Durham County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Durham has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Durham County, that probability was 68.9% in 2020 and 69.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Durham County is ranked the 6th most populous county in North Carolina, out of 100 counties. Durham County was ranked the 6th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Durham County's White Population

138,543 residents of Durham County, or 41.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Durham County is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Durham County ranks 90th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Durham County's White population has grown by an estimated 3.6%. White residents' share of Durham County's population has increased from 41.2% to 41.7%.

Durham County is less White than neighboring Orange County (66.2% White), Wake County (56.2% White), Granville County (55.4% White), Person County (64.2% White), and Chatham County (69.5% White).

Durham County's Black Population

105,711 residents of Durham County, or 31.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Durham County is considerably higher than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Durham County ranks 19th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Durham County's Black population has declined by an estimated 3.2%. Black residents' share of Durham County's population has decreased from 33.6% to 31.8%.

Durham County is more Black than neighboring Orange County (10.1% Black), Wake County (18.5% Black), Granville County (28.8% Black), Person County (25.8% Black), and Chatham County (10% Black).

Durham County's Asian Population

17,932 residents of Durham County, or 5.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Durham County is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Durham County ranks 6th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Durham County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 7.3%. Asian residents' share of Durham County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.4%.

Durham County is more Asian than neighboring Granville County (0.4% Asian), Person County (0.1% Asian), and Chatham County (2.2% Asian). Durham County is less Asian than neighboring Orange County (7.8% Asian), and Wake County (8.5% Asian).

Durham County's Hispanic Population

52,523 residents of Durham County, or 15.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Durham County is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Durham County ranks 5th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Durham County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 4.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Durham County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 15.8%.

Durham County is more Hispanic than neighboring Orange County (10.6% Hispanic), Wake County (11.6% Hispanic), Granville County (11.1% Hispanic), Person County (6.3% Hispanic), and Chatham County (13.6% Hispanic).

Durham County's Native American/Other Population

2,557 residents of Durham County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Durham County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Durham County ranks 42nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Durham County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 1.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Durham County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Durham County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Person County (0.3% Native American/Other). Durham County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Granville County (1% Native American/Other), and Chatham County (1% Native American/Other).

Durham County's Multiracial Population

15,087 residents of Durham County, or 4.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Durham County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Durham County ranks 34th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Durham County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 21.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Durham County's population has increased from 3.8% to 4.5%.

Durham County is more Multiracial than neighboring Wake County (4.4% Multiracial), Granville County (3.3% Multiracial), Person County (3.2% Multiracial), and Chatham County (3.8% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.