Durham County, North Carolina

Not to be confused with Durham, North Carolina or County Durham.

Durham County, North Carolina
County
Durham County Courthouse
Flag
Seal
Logo
Motto: 
"Live. Grow. Thrive."
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Interactive map of Durham County, North Carolina
Coordinates: 36°02′N 78°53′W / 36.03°N 78.88°W / 36.03; -78.88
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1881
Named afterBartlett Snipes Durham
SeatDurham
Largest communityDurham
Area
 • Total
297.86 sq mi (771.5 km2)
 • Land286.53 sq mi (742.1 km2)
 • Water11.33 sq mi (29.3 km2)  3.80%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
324,833
 • Estimate 
(2024)
343,628
 • Density1,133.7/sq mi (437.72/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitedconc.gov

Durham County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 324,833,[1] making it the sixth-most populous county in North Carolina. Its county seat is Durham,[2] which is the only incorporated municipality predominantly in the county, though very small portions of cities and towns mostly in neighboring counties also extend into Durham County. The central and southern parts of Durham County are highly urban, consisting of the city as well as several unincorporated suburbs. Southeastern Durham County is dominated by the Research Triangle Park, most of which is in Durham County. The northern third of Durham County is rural in nature. Durham County is the core of the Durham–Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Raleigh–Durham–Cary, NC Combined Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 2,368,947 in 2023.[3]

History

See also: Timeline of Durham, North Carolina

The county was formed on April 17, 1881, from parts of Orange County and Wake County, taking the name of its own county seat. In 1911, parts of Cedar Fork Township of Wake County were transferred to Durham County and became Carr Township.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 297.86 square miles (771.5 km2), of which 286.53 square miles (742.1 km2) is land and 11.33 square miles (29.3 km2) (3.80%) is water.[4]

State and local protected areas/sites

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Major infrastructure

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
189018,041—
190026,23345.4%
191035,27634.5%
192042,21919.7%
193067,19659.2%
194080,24419.4%
1950101,63926.7%
1960111,99510.2%
1970132,68118.5%
1980152,78515.2%
1990181,83519.0%
2000223,31422.8%
2010267,58719.8%
2020324,83321.4%
2024 (est.)343,628[11] 5.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790–1960[13] 1900–1990[14]
1990–2000[15] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

Durham County, North Carolina – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[16] Pop 1990[17] Pop 2000[18] Pop 2010[19] Pop 2020[20] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 95,086 108,722 107,371 112,697 133,768 62.24% 59.79% 48.08% 42.12% 41.18%
Black or African American alone (NH) 55,017 67,385 87,516 100,260 109,225 36.01% 37.06% 39.19% 37.47% 33.62%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 175 406 531 722 704 0.11% 0.22% 0.24% 0.27% 0.22%
Asian alone (NH) 979 3,189 7,311 12,180 16,707 0.64% 1.75% 3.27% 4.55% 5.14%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [21] x [22] 65 135 83 x x 0.03% 0.05% 0.03%
Other race alone (NH) 249 79 436 700 1,809 0.16% 0.04% 0.20% 0.26% 0.56%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [23] x [24] 3,045 4,816 12,433 x x 1.36% 1.80% 3.83%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,279 2,054 17,039 36,077 50,104 0.84% 1.13% 7.63% 13.48% 15.42%
Total 152,785 181,835 223,314 267,587 324,833 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 census, there were 324,833 people, 134,653 households, and 75,291 families residing in the county. The median age was 35.0 years; 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.3 males age 18 and over.[25]

There were 134,653 households in the county, of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 38.3% were married-couple households, 19.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 34.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[25]

There were 144,559 housing units, of which 6.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 52.2% were owner-occupied and 47.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.9%.[25]

The racial makeup of the county was 42.9% White, 34.1% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 5.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 9.9% from some other race, and 7.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 15.4% of the population.[26]

94.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 5.1% lived in rural areas.[27]

2000 census

At the 2000 census,[28] there were 223,314 people, 89,015 households, and 54,032 families residing in the county. The population density was 769 people per square mile (297 people/km2). There were 95,452 housing units at an average density of 329 units per square mile (127 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 50.91% White, 39.46% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 3.29% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.21% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. 7.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 89,015 households, out of which 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.00% were married couples living together, 14.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.30% were non-families. 30.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the age distribution was as follows: 22.90% under the age of 18, 12.80% from 18 to 24, 34.80% from 25 to 44, 19.80% from 45 to 64, and 9.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 93.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,337, and the median income for a family was $53,223. Males had a median income of $35,939 versus $30,683 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,156. About 9.80% of families and 13.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.20% of those under age 18 and 12.30% of those age 65 or over.

Fertility rates

The fertility rates in Durham have remained relatively stable, with the fertility rates for females aged 15–44 between 2022 and 2024, being 53%, with women aged 30–34 making up approximately 91.1% of all births in Durham county.[29] There have been about 20,604 births between 2022-2024.[29]

Law and government

See also: Durham Police Department (North Carolina)
Durham County Sheriff's Office
AbbreviationDCSO, DSO
Motto"Honor, Duty and Service."
Agency overview
FormedMay 2, 1881
Employees452
Annual budget$34,949,195
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionDurham County, North Carolina, US
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters510 S Dillard St, Durham
Sworn officers
  • 181 Deputies[30]
  • 211 Detention Officers[30]
Civilians59[30]
Agency executive
  • Clarence Birkhead, Sheriff
Facilities
Sub-Stations2
Notables
Award
Website
Official website

Durham County is a member of the regional Triangle J Council of Governments. Durham County is governed by a five-member board of county commissioners, currently consisting of Chair Brenda A. Howerton, Vice Chair Wendy Jacobs, Nimasheena Burns, Heidi Carter, and Nida Allam.[31] All are elected concurrently, and each elected member serves a four-year term. The current sheriff, Clarence Birkhead, was elected in 2018 and is the county's first African American Sheriff to hold office.[32]

Politics

Durham County is consistently one of the most Democratic counties in North Carolina, favoring Democrats in national, state, and local elections.[33] It has only voted for the Republican candidate twice since 1884, in the Republican landslides of 1928 and 1972. George H. W. Bush is the last Republican to manage even 40 percent of the county's vote. Since the 1990s, Durham County has been one of the most Democratic urban counties in the South.

United States presidential election results for Durham County, North Carolina[34]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1884 1,193 42.79% 1,595 57.21% 0 0.00%
1888 1,618 45.77% 1,835 51.91% 82 2.32%
1892 1,264 35.93% 1,490 42.35% 764 21.72%
1896 1,924 43.62% 2,435 55.20% 52 1.18%
1900 2,026 45.86% 2,373 53.71% 19 0.43%
1904 1,080 40.10% 1,603 59.52% 10 0.37%
1908 1,820 49.35% 1,859 50.41% 9 0.24%
1912 124 3.52% 2,197 62.31% 1,205 34.17%
1916 1,837 42.72% 2,463 57.28% 0 0.00%
1920 3,550 43.31% 4,646 56.69% 0 0.00%
1924 3,093 37.95% 4,837 59.34% 221 2.71%
1928 8,723 66.06% 4,482 33.94% 0 0.00%
1932 2,770 25.94% 7,559 70.78% 351 3.29%
1936 2,189 14.60% 12,804 85.40% 0 0.00%
1940 2,491 14.40% 14,810 85.60% 0 0.00%
1944 3,690 22.43% 12,763 77.57% 0 0.00%
1948 4,531 25.73% 11,530 65.46% 1,552 8.81%
1952 11,301 37.42% 18,897 62.58% 0 0.00%
1956 13,226 48.87% 13,835 51.13% 0 0.00%
1960 14,322 42.60% 19,298 57.40% 0 0.00%
1964 15,264 40.02% 22,874 59.98% 0 0.00%
1968 12,705 29.68% 16,563 38.69% 13,542 31.63%
1972 25,576 61.38% 15,566 37.36% 525 1.26%
1976 18,945 45.61% 22,425 53.99% 163 0.39%
1980 19,276 40.24% 24,969 52.13% 3,656 7.63%
1984 29,185 47.39% 32,244 52.36% 155 0.25%
1988 29,928 45.43% 35,441 53.79% 514 0.78%
1992 27,581 33.36% 47,331 57.24% 7,770 9.40%
1996 27,825 34.39% 49,186 60.79% 3,899 4.82%
2000 30,150 35.64% 53,907 63.72% 547 0.65%
2004 34,614 31.57% 74,524 67.96% 513 0.47%
2008 32,353 23.63% 103,456 75.57% 1,088 0.79%
2012 33,769 23.01% 111,224 75.80% 1,742 1.19%
2016 28,350 18.16% 121,250 77.66% 6,534 4.18%
2020 32,459 18.04% 144,688 80.42% 2,767 1.54%
2024 32,853 18.16% 144,450 79.85% 3,609 1.99%

Communities

The city of Durham is the only incorporated municipality to predominantly exist within Durham County, and the only one whose urban core lies within the county, though small portions of municipalities from neighboring counties extend into Durham County, and the city of Durham also itself extends slightly into neighboring counties. All other towns and places within Durham County are unincorporated communities.

Cities

  • Durham (county seat and largest community; small portions extend into Wake and Orange counties)
  • Raleigh (mostly in Wake County)[35]

Towns

Townships

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Notable person

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "QuickFacts: Durham County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2020-2023". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. March 14, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  4. ^ "2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "NCWRC Game Lands". www.ncpaws.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  6. ^ "Hollow Rock Nature Park". Orange County, NC. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  7. ^ "Miles of Trails with More in the Making - Triangle Land Conservancy". www.triangleland.org. December 11, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  8. ^ "Little River Regional Park & Natural Area". Eno River Association - Education, Advocacy & Conservation. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  9. ^ "Mason Farm Biological Reserve - North Carolina Botanical Garden". Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  10. ^ "Rollingview at Falls Lake Durham, NC". www.visitnc.com. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  11. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  12. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  13. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  14. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 3, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  15. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  16. ^ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - North Carolina - Table 15 - Persons by Race: 1980 and Table 16 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 14-25. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 28, 2025 – via WayBack Machine.
  17. ^ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - North Carolina: Table 3 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 15-64. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 20, 2025 – via WayBack Machine.
  18. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Durham County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Durham County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
  20. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Durham County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
  21. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  22. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  23. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
  24. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
  25. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  26. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  27. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  28. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  29. ^ a b "General Fertility Rates". dashboards.ncdhhs.gov. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  30. ^ a b c "Annual Report FY 2016-2017". Durham Sheriff. 2017. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  31. ^ "Contact the Board of Commissioners | Durham County". www.dconc.gov. Archived from the original on March 28, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  32. ^ Simmons, Taj (December 3, 2018). "New Durham County Sheriff Takes Oath of Office". spectrumlocalnews.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  33. ^ "Anatomy of a swing state: What these 6 counties tell us about the upcoming NC election". The Charlotte Observer. November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  34. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  35. ^ Raleigh Durham Annexation Agreement Lines Archived October 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  36. ^ "Federal Writers Project Papers".

Further reading

  • "Durham County", Branson's North Carolina Business Directory, 1896, Raleigh, NC: Levi Branson, p. 243 – via archive.org
  • "Durham County", North Carolina Year Book and Business Directory, 1916, Raleigh, N.C.: News and Observer Publishing Company – via hathitrust.org
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