City profile
Durham, NC
A progressive city with deep Black heritage, home to NCCU and Duke, with a thriving food and arts scene.
Climate
Climate type
Mild & temperate
Winter avg
41°F
Summer avg
79°F
Sunny days / yr
213
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$350,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,900
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
98
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.98%
- State income tax (top)
- 4.25%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 7.00%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 90/100
Top hazards: Heat wave, Tornado, Riverine flooding
Nearest major airport
10 mi to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 80% Democratic / 18% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
291,467
Growth since 2019
+8.1%
Median age
35.1
Residents 65+
13.7%
Median household income
$81,619
Income growth since 2019
+38.6%
Black household income
$62,189
Home ownership
52.3%
Poverty rate
11.7%
Poverty rate, 65+
8.5%
Race & ethnicity: Black 33.2% · White 40.3% · Hispanic 15.2% · Asian 5.8% · Other 5.5%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
507 · 54% above the national average
Property crime
3,599 · 132% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Durham Police Department. State average: violent 334, property 1,815.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸NC is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Home prices are softening in 2026 — more room to negotiate
- ▸Part of the New Great Migration — a growing Black community in the South
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: hurricanes (coast), inland flooding
Highlights
- Home to North Carolina Central University (HBCU)
- Duke Medical Center nearby
- Thriving food scene
- Growing arts and culture community
Trade-offs
- Some areas have higher crime
- Limited transit options
- Smaller city feel
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.