Winston-Salem, NC Metro Area

Winston-Salem, NC · Metro Area

689,766Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 5 counties (4 central, 1 outlying), part of the Greensboro--Winston-Salem--High Point, NC combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $65,975
Median home value: $233,300
Land area: 2,010 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Forsyth County, NC	Central	389,977	$67,165	$250,400
Davidson County, NC	Central	172,954	$64,172	$219,100
Stokes County, NC	Central	45,139	$62,969	$196,700
Davie County, NC	Central	44,122	$75,057	$253,900
Yadkin County, NC	Outlying	37,574	$62,932	$181,200

Largest cities and towns

29 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Winston-Salem, NC	City	252,037	$59,268
Kernersville, NC	Town	27,830	$71,918
Thomasville, NC	City	27,321	$60,935
Clemmons, NC	Village	21,871	$87,655
Lexington, NC	City	19,690	$43,128
Lewisville, NC	Town	13,828	$100,917
King, NC	City	7,408	$57,817
Mocksville, NC	Town	6,068	$55,367
Walkertown, NC	Town	5,873	$82,615
Midway, NC	Town	4,897	$83,446
Tyro, NC	CDP	3,833	$58,364
Welcome, NC	CDP	3,521	$63,353
Rural Hall, NC	Town	3,466	$51,054
Bermuda Run, NC	Town	3,211	$69,301
Wallburg, NC	Town	3,150	$88,406
Yadkinville, NC	Town	3,004	$53,125
Jonesville, NC	Town	2,860	$29,837
Tobaccoville, NC	Village	2,664	$80,263
Walnut Cove, NC	Town	2,115	$44,815
Boonville, NC	Town	1,593	$68,145
Southmont, NC	CDP	1,525	$91,307
Denton, NC	Town	1,506	$50,847
Advance, NC	CDP	1,408	$115,391
Germanton, NC	CDP	1,087	$62,108
Cooleemee, NC	Town	988	$46,750

Also in the Greensboro--Winston-Salem--High Point, NC combined area

Greensboro-High Point, NC · metro · 786,419 Burlington, NC · metro · 176,893 Mount Airy, NC · micro · 71,425

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

13.5%

Unemployment

4.7%

College Educated

30.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$65,975

Mean Household Income

$90,187

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

48.3%

Female

51.7%

Population Split

Male48.3%

Female51.7%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English14.0%

German11.2%

Irish8.5%

Mexican7.2%

Italian2.6%

Scottish2.2%

Polish1.1%

French1.0%

African1.0%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

7.6%Foreign Born

92.4%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized40.9%

Non-Citizen59.1%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later32.5%

Before 201067.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

310,088

Median Rent

$1,016/mo

Median Home Value

$233,300

Median Year Built

1985

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

161,032

College Enrollment

19.9%

High School

22.9%

College Educated

30.8%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

24.4 min

Drive Alone Rate

76.6%

Public Transit

0.4%

Work From Home

12.0%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

21.9%

18-34 Years

21.5%

35-64 Years

38.2%

65+ Years

18.4%

Population Composition

Under 1821.9%

18-3421.5%

35-6438.2%

65+18.4%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

46.8%

Single Parent

6.3%

Living Alone

31.1%

Avg Size

2.40

Household Types

Married Couples46.8%

Single Parent6.3%

Living Alone31.1%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$37,543

SNAP Usage

13.7%

Health Insurance

90.4%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k17.0%

$25k - $50k21.0%

$50k - $100k31.5%

$100k+30.5%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

15.0%

Retail Trade

11.0%

Education & Health Care

24.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

14.4%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

90.4%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

89.4%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

94.8%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

92.0

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

144.0

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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