Graham, NC Demographics

A map of Graham's Population by Race

Graham, North Carolina has an estimated population of 18,048, an increase from the 17,157 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 53.9% White, 22.0% Black, 18.2% Hispanic, 3.9% Multiracial, 1.3% Native American/Other, and 0.7% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Graham, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Graham has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is 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 Graham, that probability was 65.6% in 2020 and 62.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Graham is ranked the 59th 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). Graham was ranked the 61st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Graham's White Population

9,730 residents of Graham, or 53.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Graham is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Graham ranks 576th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Graham's White population has grown by an estimated 15.6%. White residents' share of Graham's population has increased from 49.1% to 53.9%.

Graham is more White than neighboring Green Level (11.1% White), and Burlington (44.3% White). Graham is less White than neighboring Haw River (58.4% White), Swepsonville (65% White), and Glen Raven (56.5% White).

Graham's Black Population

3,977 residents of Graham, or 22.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Graham is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Graham ranks 221st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Graham's Black population has declined by an estimated 10.1%. Black residents' share of Graham's population has decreased from 25.8% to 22.0%.

Graham is more Black than neighboring Haw River (5.5% Black), Swepsonville (17.1% Black), and Glen Raven (16.5% Black). Graham is less Black than neighboring Green Level (45% Black), and Burlington (29.3% Black).

Graham's Asian Population

126 residents of Graham, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Graham is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Graham ranks 196th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Graham's Asian population has declined by an estimated 43.2%. Asian residents' share of Graham's population has decreased from 1.3% to 0.7%.

Graham is more Asian than neighboring Green Level (0% Asian), and Glen Raven (0% Asian). Graham is less Asian than neighboring Haw River (1.3% Asian), Swepsonville (5.8% Asian), and Burlington (2.8% Asian).

Graham's Hispanic Population

3,282 residents of Graham, or 18.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Graham is higher than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Graham ranks 63rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Graham's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Graham's population has decreased from 18.7% to 18.2%.

Graham is more Hispanic than neighboring Swepsonville (9.9% Hispanic). Graham is less Hispanic than neighboring Haw River (18.9% Hispanic), Green Level (40.8% Hispanic), Burlington (19.5% Hispanic), and Glen Raven (21.1% Hispanic).

Graham's Native American/Other Population

229 residents of Graham, or 1.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Graham is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Graham ranks 255th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Graham's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 35.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Graham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Graham is more Native American/Other than neighboring Haw River (0% Native American/Other), Swepsonville (0% Native American/Other), Green Level (0% Native American/Other), Burlington (0.6% Native American/Other), and Glen Raven (0.7% Native American/Other).

Graham's Multiracial Population

704 residents of Graham, or 3.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Graham is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Graham ranks 293rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Graham's Multiracial population has remained roughly the same. Multiracial residents' share of Graham's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.9%.

Graham is more Multiracial than neighboring Swepsonville (2.2% Multiracial), Green Level (3.1% Multiracial), and Burlington (3.5% Multiracial). Graham is less Multiracial than neighboring Haw River (15.8% Multiracial), and Glen Raven (5.2% 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.