Salisbury, NC Demographics

A map of Salisbury's Population by Race

Salisbury, North Carolina has an estimated population of 35,825, a less than 1% change from the 35,540 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 49.1% White, 35.0% Black, 11.5% Hispanic, 3.0% Multiracial, 1.0% Asian, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Salisbury, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Salisbury 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 Salisbury, that probability was 65.4% in 2020 and 62.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Salisbury is ranked the 29th 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). Salisbury was ranked the 27th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Salisbury's White Population

17,589 residents of Salisbury, or 49.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Salisbury is considerably lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Salisbury ranks 632nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salisbury's White population has grown by an estimated 11.4%. White residents' share of Salisbury's population has increased from 44.4% to 49.1%.

Salisbury is more White than neighboring East Spencer (10.4% White). Salisbury is less White than neighboring Granite Quarry (77.9% White), Spencer (50.7% White), Faith (88.4% White), and China Grove (72.9% White).

Salisbury's Black Population

12,536 residents of Salisbury, or 35.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Salisbury is considerably higher than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Salisbury ranks 152nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salisbury's Black population has declined by an estimated 1.2%. Black residents' share of Salisbury's population has decreased from 35.7% to 35.0%.

Salisbury is more Black than neighboring Granite Quarry (5.5% Black), Faith (0.2% Black), and China Grove (3.5% Black). Salisbury is less Black than neighboring East Spencer (78.6% Black), and Spencer (41% Black).

Salisbury's Asian Population

372 residents of Salisbury, or 1.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Salisbury is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Salisbury ranks 179th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salisbury's Asian population has declined by an estimated 25.5%. Asian residents' share of Salisbury's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Salisbury is more Asian than neighboring East Spencer (0% Asian), Spencer (0% Asian), and China Grove (0% Asian). Salisbury is less Asian than neighboring Granite Quarry (1.2% Asian), and Faith (9.6% Asian).

Salisbury's Hispanic Population

4,106 residents of Salisbury, or 11.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Salisbury is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Salisbury ranks 115th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salisbury's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 18.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Salisbury's population has decreased from 14.2% to 11.5%.

Salisbury is more Hispanic than neighboring East Spencer (8% Hispanic), Spencer (5.6% Hispanic), and Faith (0.2% Hispanic). Salisbury is less Hispanic than neighboring Granite Quarry (13.2% Hispanic), and China Grove (22.4% Hispanic).

Salisbury's Native American/Other Population

157 residents of Salisbury, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Salisbury is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Salisbury ranks 340th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salisbury's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 46.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Salisbury's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Salisbury is more Native American/Other than neighboring East Spencer (0% Native American/Other), Faith (0% Native American/Other), and China Grove (0% Native American/Other). Salisbury is less Native American/Other than neighboring Granite Quarry (0.9% Native American/Other), and Spencer (0.7% Native American/Other).

Salisbury's Multiracial Population

1,065 residents of Salisbury, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Salisbury is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Salisbury ranks 459th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salisbury's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 12.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Salisbury's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.0%.

Salisbury is more Multiracial than neighboring Granite Quarry (1.3% Multiracial), Spencer (2.1% Multiracial), Faith (1.5% Multiracial), and China Grove (1.2% 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.