Welcome to Durham

Explore Durham's population trends, school options, and available homes in the area.

Experience Durham, North Carolina

Lifestyle, Community, and Growth

 

Durham, North Carolina, just northwest of Raleigh, moves with a steady, confident rhythm shaped by decades of growth rooted in research, education, and healthcare. That influence is felt everywhere—from Research Triangle Park, Duke University, and the region’s leading medical institutions to the way the city has chosen depth and durability over urgency. Tobacco-era warehouses have been thoughtfully reimagined into offices, homes, and gathering places—creating an urban fabric that remains active throughout the day. Walkable districts and carefully planned density give the city an energy that feels naturally alive, allowing growth to unfold without sacrificing character.

Known as the Bull City, Durham carries a creative confidence that comes from blending academic and industrial roots with a modern cultural pulse. The tech and startup scene continues to grow, and the food culture is something locals genuinely care about. Places like Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) contribute to a lifestyle that feels intellectually engaged yet grounded. What becomes clear over time is the city’s natural balance—where innovation and tradition coexist, and ambition is matched by livability. Durham continues to reveal itself as confident in its identity, open-minded in perspective, and intentional about its growth.

At The Real Estate Studio, we bring a high-touch, locally informed perspective to every community we serve. This guide to Durham combines our neighborhood expertise with key local data to provide a clear view of how the city lives today and how it continues to evolve—helping you make informed decisions about your next move.

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A Neighborhood Snapshot of Durham, NC

Neighborhood Snapshot

 

Here’s a quick look at Durham's population, age, income, and density—the basics you’ll want to know as you explore the area. Durham represents approximately 24.9% of Durham County's total population.

Population
295,845
Total Population
2.7% of NC's Total
Median Age
35.0
Median Age
11.2% Younger Than NC
Persons Per Household
2.2
Persons Per Household
8.3% Less Than NC
Income
$80,064
Median Household Income
13% Higher than NC
 
Population Migration Since the Previous Year
 
  •   Same house a year ago 78.3%
  •   From same county 8.2%
  •   From different county 4.9%
  •   From different state 5.5%
  •   From abroad 1.9%

A Demographic Overview of Durham, NC

Key Housing & Workforce Data

 

This section provides a demographic overview of Durham, North Carolina, based on publicly available census data. It summarizes housing characteristics, employment patterns, commuting metrics, and key education data points—offering a standardized, data-driven snapshot for reference and comparison.

Housing Snapshot

Durham, North Carolina
 
140,365
Number of Housing Units
2.8 of NC’s Total
1,202
Residential Housing Density (units/mi²)
2.2x Higher units/mi² Than Durham County
$417,400
Median Value Owner-Occupied
35.3% Higher Than NC
46.2%
Housing Units Built After 2000*
8.0% Higher Than NC
Type of Housing Structure
Single-Unit: 63.9%
Multi-Unit: 35.4%
Other: 0.70%
Occupied vs. Vacant Housing Units
91.0% Occupied
9.0% Vacant
Owner-Occupied vs. Renter-Occupied
52.0% Owner-Occupied
48.0% Renter-Occupied
Population with Housing Costs Under 30% of Household Income in 2024
Note: 30% is the Affordable Housing Benchmark
 
Owned Units
80.5%
Rented Units
46.2%
 
Durham MARKET

Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units

 
Under $100K
3.1%
 
$100K - $200K
10.7%
 
$200K - $300K
22.2%
 
$300K - $400K
25.3%
 
$400K - $500K
16.4%
 
$500K - $1M
20.2%
 
Over $1M
1.4%

Employment & Commute

Durham, North Carolina
 
EMPLOYMENT CLASS FOR CIVILIAN WORKERS AGES 16+
169,038 Total Workers
60.4%
Private Company
8.6%
Self-Employed
14.9%
Government
16.1%
Nonprofit
Mean Travel Time to Work
Workers Ages 16+ (Minutes)
22.0
Durham
25.3
North Carolina
28.0
South Atlantic Region
Means of Transportation
Workers Ages 16+
  •   Drove Alone 65.0%
  •   Carpooled 8.0%
  •   Public Transit 2.0%
  •   Bicycle 1.0%
  •   Walked 2.0%
  •   Other 2.0%
  •   Worked at home 20.0%

Education

Durham, North Carolina
 
FIELD OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE FOR FIRST MAJOR AGES 25+*
125,338 Total Bachelor's Degrees Earned
57.2%
SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
12.2%
BUSINESS
7.8%
EDUCATION
22.8%
ARTS, HUMANITIES & OTHER
School Enrollment*
75,761 Enrolled Population Ages 3+
 
  •  Preschool 5.0%
  •  Kindergarten 5.2%
  •  Elementary & Middle School 29.9%
  •  High School 17.2%
  •  College or Graduate School 42.6%
Educational Attainment*
212,641 Education Attainment Total Ages 25+
 
  •  No Degree 6.9%
  •  High School 14.7%
  •  Some College 12.5%
  •  Bachelor's 29.8%
  •  Post-Grad 29.2%

*Census Data: ACS2023 5-year

Schools Located in Durham, NC

All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby Durham. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating

Current Availability

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Local Insights & Expertise

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Explore More Neighborhood Guides Across the Triangle Region

View our full collection of neighborhood guides covering cities and towns throughout the Triangle region. Each guide offers consistent local insight, school information, and current property context to support informed comparisons.

Neighborhood descriptions are provided for general informational purposes and reflect the perspective of The Real Estate Studio. Demographic, housing, and school-related data are drawn primarily from publicly available sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 1-Year estimates, unless otherwise noted. Unless otherwise stated, city-level figures reflect the Census Bureau’s “Place” geography for each municipality. Data points marked with a † indicate a margin of error of at least 10 percent and should be interpreted with care. All information is intended for general reference only and should be considered alongside independent verification and professional guidance tailored to your specific needs. Data reflects the most recent update as of January 26, 2026.