Winston-Salem, NC

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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Population

671,456

0.558% 1-year growth

US Senator

Richard Burr

Republican Party

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

Median Age

Poverty Rate

16.4%

Median Household Income

$48,699

0.942% 1-year decline

Median Property Value

$157,900

6.26% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

306,447

0.0408% 1-year decline

About

In 2018, Winston-Salem, NC had a population of 671k people with a median age of 41 and a median household income of $48,699. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Winston-Salem, NC grew from 667,733 to 671,456, a 0.558% increase and its median household income declined from $49,162 to $48,699, a -0.942% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Winston-Salem, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (67.6%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (17.7%), White (Hispanic) (7.39%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.84%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.76%). NaNk% of the people in Winston-Salem, NC speak a non-English language, and 94.9% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Winston-Salem, NC are Wake Forest University (2,567 degrees awarded in 2017), Davidson County Community College (1,595 degrees), and Forsyth Technical Community College (1,550 degrees).

The median property value in Winston-Salem, NC is $157,900, and the homeownership rate is 64.3%. Most people in Winston-Salem, NC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 22.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Winston-Salem, NC is 2 cars per household.

Winston-Salem, NC borders Albemarle, NC, Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, Greensboro-High Point, NC, Martinsville, VA, Mount Airy, NC, and North Wilkesboro, NC.

Photo by Brandon Ore

United States North Carolina

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for North Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in North Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of North Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 49.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (46.2%), followed by Gary Johnson (2.74%). The most partisan county was Graham County, NC with 78.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Winston-Salem, NC. Showing the available data for North Carolina.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.8%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (46.2%)
Democratic Party
Gary Johnson (2.74%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of North Carolina.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for North Carolina

49.8% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in North Carolina

Graham County, NC
78.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Yadkin County, NC
78.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Durham County, NC
77.7% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in North Carolina was Graham County, NC with 78.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in North Carolina colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from North Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Richard Burr

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2005

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Winston-Salem, NC is home to a population of 671k people, from which 94.9% are citizens. As of 2018, 6.78% of Winston-Salem, NC residents were born outside of the country (45.5k people).

In 2018, there were 3.82 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (454k people) in Winston-Salem, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 119k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 49.6k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Winston-Salem, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
454k ± 2.02k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
119k ± 2.73k
White (Hispanic)
49.6k ± 4.45k

10.3%

Hispanic Population

69k people

10.3% of the people in Winston-Salem, NC are hispanic (69k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Winston-Salem, NC as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

6.78%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

45.5k people

6.63%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

44.3k people

As of 2018, 6.78% of Winston-Salem, NC residents (45.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Winston-Salem, NC was 6.63%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Winston-Salem, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.4

In 2018, the median age of all people in Winston-Salem, NC was 41. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 41, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Winston-Salem, NC are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Winston-Salem, NC residents was 41.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
229,977 ± 11,643 people
India
71,606 ± 6,547 people
Honduras
31,466 ± 4,348 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 229,977 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 71,606 and Honduras with 31,466.

Citizenship

94.9%

2018 Citizenship

95.5%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 94.9% of Winston-Salem, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Winston-Salem, NC was 95.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Winston-Salem, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
14,191 ± 1,509
Gulf War (2001-)
6,554 ± 1,311
Gulf War (1990s)
4,730 ± 1,022

Winston-Salem, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.17 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Winston-Salem, NC is $48,699. In 2018, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Winston-Salem, NC was Union County, NC with a value of $80,337, followed by Wake County, NC and Chatham County, NC, with respective values of $79,970 and $74,959.

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.32 times higher than the average income of females, which is $47,552. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Winston-Salem, NC employs 306k people. The largest industries in Winston-Salem, NC are Health Care & Social Assistance (49,827 people), Manufacturing (47,627 people), and Retail Trade (33,440 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($66,536), Utilities ($61,426), and Finance & Insurance ($48,876).

Wages

Median Household Income

$48,699

2018 value

± $1,478

-0.942%

1 Year Growth

± 5.15%

Households in Winston-Salem, NC have a median annual income of $48,699, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $49,162 in 2017, which represents a -0.942% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Winston-Salem, NC compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

$62,551

Average Male Salary in North Carolina

± $1,091

$47,552

Average Female Salary in North Carolina

± $846

In 2018, full-time male employees in North Carolina made 1.32 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in North Carolina

Asian
$66,551 ± $4,420
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$53,592 ± $28,568
White
$52,871 ± $810

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of North Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.24 times more than Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in North Carolina.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Winston-Salem, NC is from North Carolina.

0.47

2018 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.473

2017 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2018, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.556% decline from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2018, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Winston-Salem, NC was Union County, NC with a value of $80,337, followed by Wake County, NC and Chatham County, NC, with respective values of $79,970 and $74,959.

The following map shows all of the counties in Winston-Salem, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

16.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Winston-Salem, NC (106k out of 648k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 18 - 24.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
68,077 ± 2,040
Black
28,512 ± 1,267
Hispanic
23,195 ± 1,074

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Winston-Salem, NC is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

306k

2018 Value

± 9,704

-0.0408%

1 Year decline

± 4.43%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Winston-Salem, NC declined at a rate of -0.0408%, from 307k employees to 306k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Winston-Salem, NC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (34,039 people), Sales & Related Occupations (29,840 people), and Management Occupations (28,849 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Winston-Salem, NC.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Winston-Salem, NC, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (34,039 people), Sales & Related Occupations (29,840 people), and Management Occupations (28,849 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other MSAs, Winston-Salem, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Health Technologists & Technicians (1.67 times higher than expected), Production Occupations (1.5 times), and Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (1.3 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Winston-Salem, NC, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($87,553), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($65,000), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($61,476).

Industries

Employment by Industries

306k

2018 Value

± 9,704

-0.0408%

1 Year decline

± 4.43%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Winston-Salem, NC declined at a rate of -0.0408%, from 307k employees to 306k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Winston-Salem, NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (49,827 people), Manufacturing (47,627 people), and Retail Trade (33,440 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Winston-Salem, NC, though some of these residents may live in Winston-Salem, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Winston-Salem, NC, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (49,827 people), Manufacturing (47,627 people), and Retail Trade (33,440 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other MSAs, Winston-Salem, NC has an unusually high number of Management of Companies & Enterprises (2.3 times higher than expected), Manufacturing (1.6 times), and Health Care & Social Assistance (1.17 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Winston-Salem, NC, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($66,536), Utilities ($61,426), and Finance & Insurance ($48,876).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $50.4B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($35.3B) and Machinery ($34.5B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$407B

2015 Value in North Carolina

$632B

Projected 2045 Value in North Carolina

55.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound North Carolina trade was $407B. This is expected to increase 55.4% to $632B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$25.6B
Georgia
$25.4B
Virginia
$25.2B

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $25.6B, followed by Georgia with $25.4B and Virginia and $25.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Education

In 2017, universities in Winston-Salem, NC awarded 7,709 degrees. The student population of Winston-Salem, NC is skewed towards women, with 10,637 male students and 16,789 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Winston-Salem, NC are White (4,895 and 65.9%), followed by Black or African American (1,580 and 21.3%), Hispanic or Latino (433 and 5.83%), and Asian (184 and 2.48%).

The largest universities in Winston-Salem, NC by number of degrees awarded are Wake Forest University (2,567 and 33.3%), Davidson County Community College (1,595 and 20.7%), and Forsyth Technical Community College (1,550 and 20.1%).

The most popular majors in Winston-Salem, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (634 and 8.22%), Registered Nursing (590 and 7.65%), and General Business Administration & Management (582 and 7.55%).

The median tuition costs in Winston-Salem, NC are $18,390 for private four year colleges, and $4,949 and $17,944 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
178 degree-majorss awarded
General Biological Sciences
136 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
433 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Winston-Salem, NC was General Psychology with 178 degree-majorss awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Winston-Salem, NC according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Wake Forest University
2,567 degrees awarded
Davidson County Community College
1,595 degrees awarded
Forsyth Technical Community College
1,550 degrees awarded

$4,949

Median In-State Public

$18,390

Median Private

In 2017, the Winston-Salem, NC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Wake Forest University with 2,567 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

3,054

Degrees Awarded to Men

4,655

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 3,054 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Winston-Salem, NC, which is 0.656 times less than the 4,655 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Winston-Salem, NC by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
4,895 degrees awarded
Black or African American
1,580 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
433 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Winston-Salem, NC were to White students. These 4,895 degrees mean that there were 3.1 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 1,580 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Winston-Salem, NC was $157,900 in 2018, which is 0.687 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $148,600 to $157,900, a 6.26% increase. The homeownership rate in Winston-Salem, NC is 64.3%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Winston-Salem, NC have an average commute time of 22.4 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Winston-Salem, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$157,900

2018 Median

± $3,518

$148,600

2017 Median

± $3,574

In 2018, the median property value in Winston-Salem, NC grew to to $157,900 from the previous year's value of $148,600.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Winston-Salem, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Winston-Salem, NC the largest share of households have a property value in the $150k - $175k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$48,699

Median Household Income

± $1,478

271k

Number of Households

± 8,779

In 2018, the median household income of the 271k households in Winston-Salem, NC declined from $48,699 from the previous year's value of $49,162.

The following chart displays the households in Winston-Salem, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Winston-Salem, NC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Winston-Salem, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

Rent vs Own

64.3%

2018 Homeownership

67.8%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 64.3% of the housing units in Winston-Salem, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 67.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Winston-Salem, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

22.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Winston-Salem, NC have a shorter commute time (22.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 2% of the workforce in Winston-Salem, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Winston-Salem, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
82.7%
Carpooled
9.99%
Worked At Home
4.66%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Winston-Salem, NC was Drove Alone (82.7%), followed by those who Carpooled (9.99%) and those who Worked At Home (4.66%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Winston-Salem, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Winston-Salem, NC have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

Health

89.5% of the population of Winston-Salem, NC has health coverage, with 45.5% on employee plans, 16.3% on Medicaid, 13% on Medicare, 12.7% on non-group plans, and 1.96% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in North Carolina was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see 1417 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.496% increase from the previous year (1410 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1829 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 464 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Edgecombe County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (16.2%). Additionally, Hertford County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (40.5%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

1,417 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in North Carolina

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see an average of 1,417 patients per year. This represents a 0.496% increase from the previous year (1,410 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in North Carolina in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

$7,264

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in North Carolina

$3,859

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,225

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,260

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in North Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.37%, from $7,027 to $7,264.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

10.5%

Uninsured

45.5%

Employer Coverage

16.3%

Medicaid

13%

Medicare

12.7%

Non-Group

1.96%

Military or VA

Between N/A and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Winston-Salem, NC N/A by N/A from N/A% to 10.5%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Winston-Salem, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.