Durham, NC Demographics

A map of Durham's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	117,487	109,401	40.3%	38.6%
Black	96,808	101,442	33.2%	35.8%
Hispanic	44,260	43,470	15.2%	15.3%
Asian	16,949	15,917	5.8%	5.6%
Multiracial	13,715	11,021	4.7%	3.9%
Native American/Other	2,248	2,255	0.8%	0.8%

Durham, North Carolina has an estimated population of 291,467, a slight increase from the 283,506 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 40.3% White, 33.2% Black, 15.2% Hispanic, 5.8% Asian, 4.7% Multiracial, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Durham, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Durham is about as racially diverse as it was in 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, that probability was 69.5% in 2020 and 69.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Durham is ranked the 4th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Durham was ranked the 4th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Durham's White Population

117,487 residents of Durham, or 40.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Durham is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Durham ranks 669th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Durham's White population has grown by an estimated 7.4%. White residents' share of Durham's population has increased from 38.6% to 40.3%.

Durham is more White than neighboring Gorman (29.5% White), and Morrisville (35.1% White). Durham is less White than neighboring Chapel Hill (62.8% White), Carolina Meadows (92.8% White), and Governors Village (71.6% White).

Durham's Black Population

96,808 residents of Durham, or 33.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Durham is considerably higher than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Durham ranks 151st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Durham's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.6%. Black residents' share of Durham's population has decreased from 35.8% to 33.2%.

Durham is more Black than neighboring Gorman (8.2% Black), Chapel Hill (11.3% Black), Morrisville (13.6% Black), Carolina Meadows (0% Black), and Governors Village (10.1% Black).

Durham's Asian Population

16,949 residents of Durham, or 5.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Durham is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Durham ranks 25th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Durham's Asian population has grown by an estimated 6.5%. Asian residents' share of Durham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.8%.

Durham is more Asian than neighboring Gorman (0% Asian), Carolina Meadows (5.4% Asian), and Governors Village (1.1% Asian). Durham is less Asian than neighboring Chapel Hill (13.4% Asian), and Morrisville (41% Asian).

Durham's Hispanic Population

44,260 residents of Durham, or 15.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Durham is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Durham ranks 98th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Durham's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 1.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Durham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 15.2%.

Durham is more Hispanic than neighboring Chapel Hill (7.6% Hispanic), Morrisville (3.6% Hispanic), Carolina Meadows (0% Hispanic), and Governors Village (0.6% Hispanic). Durham is less Hispanic than neighboring Gorman (58.5% Hispanic).

Durham's Native American/Other Population

2,248 residents of Durham, 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 is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Durham ranks 358th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Durham's Native American/Other population has remained roughly the same. Native American/Other residents' share of Durham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Durham is more Native American/Other than neighboring Gorman (0% Native American/Other), and Carolina Meadows (0% Native American/Other). Durham is less Native American/Other than neighboring Chapel Hill (1% Native American/Other), Morrisville (1.3% Native American/Other), and Governors Village (3.3% Native American/Other).

Durham's Multiracial Population

13,715 residents of Durham, or 4.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Durham is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Durham ranks 345th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Durham's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 24.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Durham's population has increased from 3.9% to 4.7%.

Durham is more Multiracial than neighboring Gorman (3.8% Multiracial), Chapel Hill (4% Multiracial), and Carolina Meadows (1.8% Multiracial). Durham is less Multiracial than neighboring Morrisville (5.4% Multiracial), and Governors Village (13.4% 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.