Winston-Salem, NC

Census Place

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2021 Population

247,917

0.867% 1-year growth

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

35.9

0% 1-year change

2021 Poverty Rate

19%

1.22% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$50,204

6.21% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$158,600

4.34% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

113,709

1.82% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Winston-Salem, NC had a population of 248k people with a median age of 35.9 and a median household income of $50,204. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Winston-Salem, NC grew from 245,787 to 247,917, a 0.867% increase and its median household income grew from $47,269 to $50,204, a 6.21% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Winston-Salem, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (45%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (32.8%), White (Hispanic) (7.94%), Other (Hispanic) (3.6%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (3.57%).

None of the households in Winston-Salem, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

93.2% of the residents in Winston-Salem, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Winston-Salem, NC are Wake Forest University (2,875 degrees awarded in 2021), Forsyth Technical Community College (2,569 degrees), and Winston-Salem State University (1,167 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Winston-Salem, NC was $158,600, and the homeownership rate was 54.2%.

Most people in Winston-Salem, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Winston-Salem, NC was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Susan Smith

United States North Carolina Forsyth County, NC Winston-Salem, NC Winston-Salem City (North) PUMA, NC Winston-Salem City (South) PUMA, NC Kernersville Town & Clemmons Village PUMA, NC Davidson County PUMA, NC

Population & Diversity

Winston-Salem, NC is home to a population of 248k people, from which 93.2% are citizens. As of 2021, 10.2% of Winston-Salem, NC residents were born outside of the country (25.4k people).

In 2021, there were 1.37 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (112k people) in Winston-Salem, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 81.2k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 19.7k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

93.2%

2021 Citizenship

93.7%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 93.2% of Winston-Salem, NC residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Winston-Salem, NC was 93.7%, 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.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Winston-Salem, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
112k ± 1.84k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
81.2k ± 1.97k
White (Hispanic)
19.7k ± 1.77k

16.2%

Hispanic Population

40.1k people

16.2% of the people in Winston-Salem, NC are hispanic (40.1k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
219,250 ± 11,374 people
India
77,157 ± 6,794 people
Honduras
37,868 ± 4,769 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 219,250 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 77,157 and Honduras with 37,868.

Foreign-Born Population

10.2%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

25.4k people

9.92%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

24.4k people

As of 2021, 10.2% of Winston-Salem, NC residents (25.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Winston-Salem, NC was 9.92%, 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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
4,037 ± 438
Gulf War (2001-)
1,983 ± 420
Gulf War (1990s)
1,407 ± 273

Winston-Salem, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.04 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Winston-Salem, NC employs 114k people. The largest industries in Winston-Salem, NC are Health Care & Social Assistance (20,943 people), Manufacturing (12,955 people), and Retail Trade (12,595 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($102,692), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($68,750), and Finance & Insurance ($60,245).

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $52,490. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

114k

2021 Value

± 2,949

1.82%

1 Year growth

± 3.59%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Winston-Salem, NC grew at a rate of 1.82%, from 112k employees to 114k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Winston-Salem, NC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (12,760 people), Management Occupations (11,062 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (10,178 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Winston-Salem, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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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Industries

Employment by Industries

114k

2021 Value

± 2,949

1.82%

1 Year growth

± 3.59%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Winston-Salem, NC grew at a rate of 1.82%, from 112k employees to 114k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Winston-Salem, NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (20,943 people), Manufacturing (12,955 people), and Retail Trade (12,595 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.

Median Earnings by Industry

$38,509

Median earning men ± $1,142

$31,290

Median earning women ± $856

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($67,047), Public Administration ($58,479), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($56,250).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($47,397), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($46,452), and Wholesale Trade ($39,936).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

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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 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.7B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B) and Machinery ($44.5B).

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.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $462B. This is expected to increase 100% to $926B by 2050.

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
$32.8B
Virginia
$26.1B
Georgia
$18.1B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $32.8B, followed by Virginia with $26.1B and Georgia and $18.1B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 49.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.881%).

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd 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 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

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

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.9%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.881%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 49.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.881%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from North Carolina

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

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Ted Budd

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd 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, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 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.

Education

In 2021, universities in Winston-Salem, NC awarded 7,318 degrees. The student population of Winston-Salem, NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 9,108 male students and 15,598 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Winston-Salem, NC are White (4,046 and 58.4%), followed by Black or African American (1,584 and 22.9%), Hispanic or Latino (630 and 9.1%), and Unknown (238 and 3.44%).

The largest universities in Winston-Salem, NC by number of degrees awarded are Wake Forest University (2,875 and 39.3%), Forsyth Technical Community College (2,569 and 35.1%), and Winston-Salem State University (1,167 and 15.9%).

The most popular majors in Winston-Salem, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (515 and 7.04%), General Business Administration & Management (487 and 6.65%), and Registered Nursing (377 and 5.15%).

The median tuition costs in Winston-Salem, NC are $21,550 for private four year colleges, and $4,949 and $18,894 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Winston-Salem, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 40.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 28.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 24,706 (36.9% men and 63.1% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 24,706 students enrolled in Winston-Salem, NC, 36.9% men and 63.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 11,529 records, of which 59.3% were women and 40.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
161 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
262 degree-majors awarded
General Biological Sciences
199 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Winston-Salem, NC was General Psychology with 161 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Wake Forest University
2,875 degrees awarded
Forsyth Technical Community College
2,569 degrees awarded
Winston-Salem State University
1,167 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Wake Forest University with 2,875 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 2,960 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Winston-Salem, NC, which is 0.679 times less than the 4,358 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 4,046 degrees mean that there were 2.55 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 1,584 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($21,550) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,645) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,700) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.886% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.756% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.13M), Some college (1.85M), and Bachelors Degree (1.58M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Winston-Salem, NC was $158,600 in 2021, which is 0.648 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $152,000 to $158,600, a 4.34% increase. The homeownership rate in Winston-Salem, NC is 54.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Winston-Salem, NC have an average commute time of 21.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Winston-Salem, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Winston-Salem, NC is $50,204. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Winston-Salem, NC was Census Tract 25.02 with a value of $156,307, followed by Census Tract 39.08 and Census Tract 39.06, with respective values of $132,303 and $131,406.

Housing

Property

$158,600

Median Property Value 2021

±$2,633

$53,037

Median Property Taxes

±$1,827

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units 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.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Winston-Salem, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

54.2%

Homeownership

2021

68.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 54.2% of the housing units in Winston-Salem, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 54.6%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Winston-Salem, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 25.02
Census Tract 39.08
Census Tract 39.06

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Winston-Salem, NC was Census Tract 25.02 with a value of $156,307, followed by Census Tract 39.08 and Census Tract 39.06, with respective values of $132,303 and $131,406.

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

Household Income

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

$50,204

Median Household Income

± $1,549

97.9k

Number of Households

± 2,584

In 2021, the median household income of the 97.9k households in Winston-Salem, NC grew to $50,204 from the previous year's value of $47,269.

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.

Wage Distribution

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

0.47

2021 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.00774% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (77.7%)
Carpooled (8.9%)
Worked At Home (8.53%)

In 2021, 77.7% of workers in Winston-Salem, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.9%) and those who worked at home (8.53%).

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.

Commute Time

21.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Winston-Salem, NC have a shorter commute time (21.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.7% 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.

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.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

19% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Winston-Salem, NC (45.2k out of 238k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 35 - 44.

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

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.

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.

Health

87.7% of the population of Winston-Salem, NC has health coverage, with 43.6% on employee plans, 19.2% on Medicaid, 11.1% on Medicare, 12.6% on non-group plans, and 1.16% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Forsyth County, NC see 857 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.61% decrease from the previous year (871 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1573 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 308 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Forsyth County, NC.

857 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Forsyth County, NC

Primary care physicians in Forsyth County, NC see an average of 857 patients per year. This represents a 1.61% decrease from the previous year (871 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.4% under 18 years, 23.6% between 18 and 34 years, 36.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 45.9% were men and 54.1% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

12.3%

Uninsured

43.6%

Employer Coverage

19.2%

Medicaid

11.1%

Medicare

12.6%

Non-Group

1.16%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Winston-Salem, NC grew by 1.69% from 12.1% to 12.3%.

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.