Raleigh, NC Demographics

A map of Raleigh's Population by Race

Raleigh, North Carolina has an estimated population of 481,031, a slight increase from the 467,665 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 51.1% White, 26.0% Black, 12.6% Hispanic, 5.2% Asian, 4.4% Multiracial, and 0.7% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Raleigh, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Raleigh 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 Raleigh, that probability was 64.7% in 2020 and 65.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Raleigh is ranked the 2nd 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). Raleigh was ranked the 2nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Raleigh's White Population

246,042 residents of Raleigh, or 51.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Raleigh is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Raleigh ranks 557th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Raleigh's White population has grown by an estimated 2.0%. White residents' share of Raleigh's population has decreased from 51.6% to 51.1%.

Raleigh is more White than neighboring Knightdale (33.8% White), and Morrisville (35.1% White). Raleigh is less White than neighboring Garner (52% White), Cary (56.7% White), and Wake Forest (64.6% White).

Raleigh's Black Population

125,059 residents of Raleigh, or 26.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Raleigh is higher than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Raleigh ranks 222nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Raleigh's Black population has grown by an estimated 3.8%. Black residents' share of Raleigh's population has remained roughly unchanged at 26.0%.

Raleigh is more Black than neighboring Garner (25.1% Black), Cary (7.6% Black), Wake Forest (19.5% Black), and Morrisville (13.6% Black). Raleigh is less Black than neighboring Knightdale (44.5% Black).

Raleigh's Asian Population

24,783 residents of Raleigh, or 5.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Raleigh is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Raleigh ranks 32nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Raleigh's Asian population has grown by an estimated 5.7%. Asian residents' share of Raleigh's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.2%.

Raleigh is more Asian than neighboring Garner (3.2% Asian), Knightdale (5% Asian), and Wake Forest (2.9% Asian). Raleigh is less Asian than neighboring Cary (20.3% Asian), and Morrisville (41% Asian).

Raleigh's Hispanic Population

60,502 residents of Raleigh, or 12.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Raleigh is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Raleigh ranks 139th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Raleigh's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Raleigh's population has remained roughly unchanged at 12.6%.

Raleigh is more Hispanic than neighboring Knightdale (10.9% Hispanic), Cary (9.5% Hispanic), Wake Forest (9% Hispanic), and Morrisville (3.6% Hispanic). Raleigh is less Hispanic than neighboring Garner (13.2% Hispanic).

Raleigh's Native American/Other Population

3,485 residents of Raleigh, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Raleigh is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Raleigh ranks 329th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Raleigh's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 11.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Raleigh's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Raleigh is more Native American/Other than neighboring Wake Forest (0.3% Native American/Other). Raleigh is less Native American/Other than neighboring Garner (1.6% Native American/Other), Knightdale (1.2% Native American/Other), Cary (1.1% Native American/Other), and Morrisville (1.3% Native American/Other).

Raleigh's Multiracial Population

21,160 residents of Raleigh, or 4.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Raleigh is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Raleigh ranks 357th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Raleigh's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 17.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Raleigh's population has increased from 3.8% to 4.4%.

Raleigh is more Multiracial than neighboring Wake Forest (3.6% Multiracial). Raleigh is less Multiracial than neighboring Garner (4.9% Multiracial), Knightdale (4.6% Multiracial), Cary (4.7% Multiracial), and Morrisville (5.4% 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.