Sanford, NC Demographics

A map of Sanford's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	13,165	12,785	41.8%	42.2%
Hispanic	9,459	8,548	30.0%	28.2%
Black	7,269	7,138	23.1%	23.6%
Multiracial	1,241	1,095	3.9%	3.6%
Asian	297	448	0.9%	1.5%
Native American/Other	47	247	0.1%	0.8%

Sanford, North Carolina has an estimated population of 31,478, an increase from the 30,261 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 41.8% White, 30.0% Hispanic, 23.1% Black, 3.9% Multiracial, 0.9% Asian, and 0.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Sanford, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Sanford 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 Sanford, that probability was 68.5% in 2020 and 68.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Sanford is ranked the 34th 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). Sanford was ranked the 34th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Sanford's White Population

13,165 residents of Sanford, or 41.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Sanford is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Sanford ranks 647th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanford's White population has grown by an estimated 3.0%. White residents' share of Sanford's population has remained roughly unchanged at 41.8%.

Sanford is less White than neighboring Broadway (73.6% White), Gulf (100% White), Moncure (58.7% White), Cameron (62.6% White), and Goldston (97.6% White).

Sanford's Black Population

7,269 residents of Sanford, or 23.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Sanford is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Sanford ranks 238th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanford's Black population has grown by an estimated 1.8%. Black residents' share of Sanford's population has decreased from 23.6% to 23.1%.

Sanford is more Black than neighboring Broadway (5.9% Black), Gulf (0% Black), Moncure (21.7% Black), and Goldston (0% Black). Sanford is less Black than neighboring Cameron (31% Black).

Sanford's Asian Population

297 residents of Sanford, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Sanford is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Sanford ranks 170th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanford's Asian population has declined by an estimated 33.7%. Asian residents' share of Sanford's population has decreased from 1.5% to 0.9%.

Sanford is more Asian than neighboring Broadway (0.6% Asian), Gulf (0% Asian), Moncure (0% Asian), Cameron (0% Asian), and Goldston (0.8% Asian).

Sanford's Hispanic Population

9,459 residents of Sanford, or 30.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Sanford is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Sanford ranks 26th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanford's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 10.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Sanford's population has increased from 28.2% to 30.0%.

Sanford is more Hispanic than neighboring Broadway (16.2% Hispanic), Gulf (0% Hispanic), Moncure (10.7% Hispanic), Cameron (2.5% Hispanic), and Goldston (0% Hispanic).

Sanford's Native American/Other Population

47 residents of Sanford, or 0.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Sanford is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Sanford ranks 342nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanford's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 81.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Sanford's population has decreased from 0.8% to 0.1%.

Sanford is more Native American/Other than neighboring Gulf (0% Native American/Other), Moncure (0% Native American/Other), and Goldston (0% Native American/Other). Sanford is less Native American/Other than neighboring Broadway (0.8% Native American/Other), and Cameron (1.4% Native American/Other).

Sanford's Multiracial Population

1,241 residents of Sanford, or 3.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Sanford is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Sanford ranks 407th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sanford's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 13.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Sanford's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.9%.

Sanford is more Multiracial than neighboring Broadway (2.8% Multiracial), Gulf (0% Multiracial), Cameron (2.5% Multiracial), and Goldston (1.6% Multiracial). Sanford is less Multiracial than neighboring Moncure (9% 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.