Winston-Salem Flag

Winston-Salem

County:
Forsyth County
County Seat:
Yes
Area (mi²):
133.584

Winston-Salem is a city located in Forsyth County, North Carolina. Winston-Salem has a 2026 population of 259,038. It is also the county seat of Forsyth County. Winston-Salem is currently growing at a rate of 0.64% annually and its population has increased by 3.93% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 249,231 in 2020.

The median household income in Winston-Salem is $59,268 with a poverty rate of 17.73%. The median age in Winston-Salem is 35.9 years: 34.9 years for males, and 36.7 years for females. For every 100 females there are 87.3 males.

259K
Total Population
1,939
Density (mi²)
1.6K 0.64%
Growth

Winston-Salem Population

Winston-Salem Population

Data after 2023 is projected based on recent change

Year ↓
Population
Growth
Annual Change
2026259,0381,6350.64%
2025257,4031,6340.64%
2024255,7692,4370.96%
2023253,3321,9210.76%
2022251,4111,0140.4%
2021250,3971,1660.47%
2020249,231-336-0.13%
2019247,7751,2660.51%
2018246,5091,9800.81%
2017244,5292,6491.1%
2016241,8802,0350.85%
2015239,8451,2980.54%
2014238,5472,7701.17%
2013235,7771,8850.81%
2012233,8922,0130.87%
2011231,8791,8550.81%
2010230,0244070.18%
2000185,77642,29129.47%
1990143,48511,6008.8%
1980131,885-1,798-1.34%
1970133,68322,54820.29%
1960111,13523,32426.56%
195087,8117,99610.02%
194079,8154,5416.03%
193075,27426,87955.54%
192048,39525,695113.19%
191022,7009,00065.69%
190013,7003,00028.04%
189010,7006,600160.98%
18804,1003,700925%
187040000%

Median Age

Overall: 35.9 years
Female: 36.7 years
Male: 34.9 years

Winston-Salem Adults

There are 194,143 adults, (38,688 of whom are seniors) in Winston-Salem.

Sex Ratio

Female: 134,559 (53.4%)
Male: 117,478 (46.6%)

Demographics

The racial composition of Winston-Salem includes 46.08% White, 32.08% Black or African American, 8.35% other race, and smaller percentages for Asian, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
White116,14646.08%
Black or African American80,85232.08%
Two or more races26,63910.57%
Other race21,0438.35%
Asian5,8472.32%
Native American1,3110.52%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander1990.08%
Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
Other race19,6767.81%
Two or more races16,5366.56%
White6,2792.49%
Black or African American2,2360.89%
Native American9710.39%
Asian910.04%
Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
White109,86743.59%
Black or African American78,61631.19%
Two or more races10,1034.01%
Asian5,7562.28%
Other race1,3670.54%
Native American3400.13%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander1990.08%

Winston-Salem Marital Status

Economics and Income Statistics

Winston-Salem 's average per capita income is $44,056. Household income levels show a median of $59,268. The poverty rate stands at 17.73%.

Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
Name
Median ↓
Mean
Married Families$103,741$142,137
Families$78,951$111,386
Households$59,268$89,145
Non Families$38,934$54,756

$44,056

Average Income

$59,268

Median Household Income

17.73%

Poverty Rate

Nearby Cities

Sources

  1. US Census State Population Estimates - Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  2. US Census County Population Estimates - Most recent county estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  3. American Community Survey (2009 - 2013)
  4. Census QuickFacts
  5. Historical Populations of States and Counties (1790 - 1990)