Chapel Hill, NC Profile: Facts & Data

The Town of Chapel Hill had a population of 63,576 as of July 1, 2024. Chapel Hill ranks in the upper quartile for Population Density when compared to the other cities, towns and Census Designated Places (CDPs) in North Carolina. See peer rankings below.

The primary coordinate point for Chapel Hill is located at latitude 35.9132 and longitude -79.0558 in Orange County. The formal boundaries for the Town of Chapel Hill encompass a land area of 21.18 sq. miles and a water area of 0.15 sq. miles. Orange County is in the Eastern time zone (GMT -5).

While the primary coordinates for Town of Chapel Hill are located in Orange County, it should be noted that the formal boundaries for this community also extend into and Durham County.

The Town of Chapel Hill has a C1 Census Class Code which indicates an active incorporated place that does not serve as a county subdivision equivalent. It also has a Functional Status Code of "A" which identifies an active government providing primary general-purpose functions.

Chapel Hill, NC Data & Demographics (As of July 1, 2024)

POPULATION
Total Population	63,576 (100%)
Population in Households	53,467 (84.1%)
Population in Families	35,274 (55.5%)
Population in Group Quarters¹	10,109 (15.9%)
Population Density	2,936
Diversity Index²	62


INCOME
Median Household Income	$94,144
Average Household Income	$145,224
% of Income for Mortgage⁴	39%
Per Capita Income	$53,906
Wealth Index⁵	125
Socioeconomic Status Index⁶	Moderate (54.2)

HOUSING
Total HU (Housing Units)	25,496 (100%)
Owner Occupied HU	10,712 (42.0%)
Renter Occupied HU	12,632 (49.5%)
Vacant Housing Units	2,152 ( 8.4%)
Median Home Value	$588,549
Average Home Value	$639,723
Housing Affordability Index³	61

HOUSEHOLDS
Total Households	23,344
Average Household Size	2.29
Family Households	11,886
Average Family Size	3.00

NOTES

Group Quarters - a place where people live or stay in a group living arrangement. Includes college residents halls, nursing facilities, military barracks, and correctional facilities.
The Diversity Index is a scale of 0 to 100 that represents the likelihood that two persons, chosen at random from the same area, belong to different races or ethnic groups. If an area's entire population belongs to one race AND one ethnic group, then the area has zero diversity. An area's diversity index increases to 100 when the population is evenly divided into two or more race/ethnic groups.
The Housing Affordability Index base is 100 and represents a balance point where a resident with a median household income can normally qualify to purchase a median price home. Values above 100 indicate increased affordability, while values below 100 indicate decreased affordability.
The % of Income for Mortgage quantifies the percentage of median household income dedicated to mortgage payments on a home priced at the median value (assuming a 30-year mortgage and a 20% down payment).
The Wealth Index is based on a number of indicators of affluence including average household income and average net worth, but it also includes the value of material possessions and resources. It represents the wealth of the area relative to the national level. Values above or below 100 represent above-average wealth or below-average wealth compared to the national level.
The Socioeconomic Index ranges from zero (lowest relative status) to 100 (highest relative status). This measure quantifies disparities in social position of an area's inhabitants and is built from a broad range of demographic, housing, and socioeconomic inputs. More information on this measure can be found in Esri's SEI tutorial.

Chapel Hill, NC - Peer Comparisons by Rank and Percentile

The table below compares Chapel Hill to the other 777 incorporated cities, towns and CDPs in North Carolina by rank and percentile using July 1, 2024 data. The location Ranked # 1 has the highest value. A location that ranks higher than 75% of its peers would be in the 75th percentile of the peer group.

GROWTH RATE / YEAR	2020-2024	2024-2029
Population	0.50%	1.46%
Households	1.06%	1.86%
Families		2.08%
Median Household Income		3.63%
Per Capita Income		3.07%
Owner Occupied HU		0.58%

Variable Description	Rank	Percentile
Total Population	# 17	98th
Population Density	# 9	99th
Median Household Income	# 86	89th
Housing Affordability Index	# 82	11th
Per Capita Income	# 70	91st
Diversity Index	# 241	69th

Chapel Hill, NC Profile: Facts & Data

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Basic Facts

Chapel Hill, NC Data & Demographics (As of July 1, 2024)

POPULATION

INCOME

HOUSING

HOUSEHOLDS

GROWTH RATE / YEAR

Chapel Hill, NC - Peer Comparisons by Rank and Percentile

Chapel Hill, NC - Most Popular Things to Do

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