Demographics & People
481,031 people call Raleigh home, in 203,443 households. Population grew 2.2% from 470,763 (2022) to 481,031 (2024). Median age 34.7 years. (2.6y younger than Wake County; 4.4y younger than North Carolina). Children under 18 are 20% of the population. Population is 51% White (non-Hispanic) and 26% Black. The community is highly diverse (Simpson index 0.61). 53% of households are family-led. County is losing 3,385 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 32% adult obesity, 11% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs North Carolina avg 2.5).
- 47% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs North Carolina 42%).
- 46 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs North Carolina 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 2.2% from 470,763 (2022) to 481,031 (2024) — about 3.6× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~491,574 (extrapolated at 1.1%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 505,850.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| County Population | 324,833 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 2.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 470,763 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 481,031 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 481,031 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Population Estimate | 505,850 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year · U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year DP05 · U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage Population Estimates · Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 34.7y is 4.2 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 20% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 34.7 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 19.8% |
| Age Summary · Character | young professional |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 481,031 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 95,457 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 147,922 |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 180,571 |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 57,081 |
| Median age | 34.7 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 481,031 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.61 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as highly diverse.
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 60.7% |
|---|---|
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | highly diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 54.5% |
| Asian population | 5.2% (vs North Carolina 3.2%) |
| Black population | 26.0% (at North Carolina median) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 12.6% (at North Carolina median) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 51.1% (at North Carolina median) |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year DP05 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (1)
Sources: Census ACS 2022 B04006+B03001+B02001
Households & Family Composition
203,443 households. Averaging 2.3 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 53% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 104,789 families, 30% are married couples with children.
| Family households | 108,253 households (vs North Carolina 17,226) |
|---|---|
| Households that are families | 53.2% (vs North Carolina 58.5%) |
| Total households | 203,443 households (vs North Carolina 25,235) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 18.7% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 3,385 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 290,880 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 294,265 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -3,385 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12