Orange County Demographics

A map of Orange County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	99,091	96,537	66.2%	64.9%
Hispanic	15,914	15,812	10.6%	10.6%
Black	15,117	15,571	10.1%	10.5%
Asian	11,717	12,615	7.8%	8.5%
Multiracial	6,692	6,986	4.5%	4.7%
Native American/Other	1,147	1,175	0.8%	0.8%

Orange County, North Carolina has an estimated population of 149,678, a less than 1% change from the 148,696 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 66.2% White, 10.6% Hispanic, 10.1% Black, 7.8% Asian, 4.5% Multiracial, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Orange County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Orange has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less 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 Orange County, that probability was 54.7% in 2020 and 53.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Orange County is ranked the 21st most populous county in North Carolina, out of 100 counties. Orange County was ranked the 19th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Orange County's White Population

99,091 residents of Orange County, or 66.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Orange County is higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Orange County ranks 51st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Orange County's White population has grown by an estimated 2.6%. White residents' share of Orange County's population has increased from 64.9% to 66.2%.

Orange County is more White than neighboring Durham County (41.7% White), Alamance County (58.1% White), Person County (64.2% White), and Caswell County (59.9% White). Orange County is less White than neighboring Chatham County (69.5% White).

Orange County's Black Population

15,117 residents of Orange County, or 10.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Orange County is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Orange County ranks 62nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Orange County's Black population has declined by an estimated 2.9%. Black residents' share of Orange County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 10.1%.

Orange County is more Black than neighboring Chatham County (10% Black). Orange County is less Black than neighboring Durham County (31.8% Black), Alamance County (19.6% Black), Person County (25.8% Black), and Caswell County (30.5% Black).

Orange County's Asian Population

11,717 residents of Orange County, or 7.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Orange County is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Orange County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Orange County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 7.1%. Asian residents' share of Orange County's population has decreased from 8.5% to 7.8%.

Orange County is more Asian than neighboring Durham County (5.4% Asian), Alamance County (1.8% Asian), Person County (0.1% Asian), Chatham County (2.2% Asian), and Caswell County (0.4% Asian).

Orange County's Hispanic Population

15,914 residents of Orange County, or 10.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Orange County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Orange County ranks 28th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Orange County's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Orange County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 10.6%.

Orange County is more Hispanic than neighboring Person County (6.3% Hispanic), and Caswell County (5.1% Hispanic). Orange County is less Hispanic than neighboring Durham County (15.8% Hispanic), Alamance County (15.3% Hispanic), and Chatham County (13.6% Hispanic).

Orange County's Native American/Other Population

1,147 residents of Orange 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 Orange County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Orange County ranks 45th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Orange County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 2.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Orange County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Orange County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Person County (0.3% Native American/Other), and Caswell County (0.1% Native American/Other). Orange County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Alamance County (0.9% Native American/Other), and Chatham County (1% Native American/Other).

Orange County's Multiracial Population

6,692 residents of Orange County, or 4.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Orange County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Orange County ranks 9th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Orange County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 4.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Orange County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.5%.

Orange County is more Multiracial than neighboring Alamance County (4.4% Multiracial), Person County (3.2% Multiracial), Chatham County (3.8% Multiracial), and Caswell County (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.