Durham
North Carolina

What stands out

If you had to describe Durham County in numbers, start here: the share working from home is in the top 3% of American counties (18%), homeownership is in the bottom 4% of American counties (55%), and home internet speed is in the top 6% of American counties (297 Mbps). Within North Carolina it ranks 4th of 100 counties for the share working from home.

Where you are

You live in Durham County, North Carolina. 325,101 people live here with you. The population grew 1.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -615).

North Carolina has a flat income tax that is being cut each year, 3.99% for 2026 after 4.25% in 2025, with 3.49% scheduled for 2027 if revenue triggers are met, and it does not tax Social Security. Property taxes are moderate and reassessments happen every four to eight years by county. The Research Triangle and Charlotte have driven a decade of in-migration; the mountains and the Outer Banks are second-home markets with hurricane and flood exposure on the coast.

Money

The typical household here brings in $74,927 a year, higher than 82% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $98,601. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 59% of American counties. 18% of workers work from home.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,990 a year.

Home

The median home costs $400K, pricier than 86% of American counties, about 3.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,324 a month. Property tax is 0.93% of home value, roughly $2,891 a year on that median home, higher than 55% of American counties. 55% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 92% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 25 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 79.4 years, longer than 87% of American counties. There are 4,311 active physicians in the county, about 132.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.7 of 5 stars. 10.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.84 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 70% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 62 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 80% of eligible voters turned out. Under North Carolina law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is legal with limits, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 60°F, highs near 72 and lows near 49, warmer than 69% of American counties. About 46 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 87 out of 100, riskier than 87% of American counties; the county has had 25 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 297 Mbps down, faster than 94% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 8 breweries, 9 museums.