North Carolina · Metropolitan Area
Chapel Hill is a mid-size city in North Carolina with a population of 59,889. Residents earn $85,825 per year, which is 14% above the national average.
Based on current data, Chapel Hill receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Chapel Hill offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Chapel Hill is $85,825, 14% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. Only 6.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
The median home value in Chapel Hill is $576,500, making it a premium housing market at 105% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,483 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.
Chapel Hill is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 143 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,238 per 100,000, near the national average.
Chapel Hill is a highly educated community — 77.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 96.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.
Chapel Hill enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
| English Only | 79.3% |
| 1% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 20.7% |
| 54% above US avg |
| Median HH Income | $85,825 |
| 14% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $50,216 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $998 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $125,177 |
| Unemployment | 2.7% |
| 25% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 6.6% |
| 47% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 2,182 |
| County GDP | $2,919M |
| Restaurants | 119 |
| Healthcare | 163 |
| Retail | 189 |
| Manufacturing | 71 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $5,662 |
| 62% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.98% |
| Commute Time | 19.6 min |
| Work from Home | 27.1% |
| Census Median | $576,500 |
| 105% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $620,620 |
| Median List Price | $594,900 |
| Median List Price | $594,900 |
| $/Sq Ft | $256 |
| Homes Sold | 27 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 99.3% |
| Price Drops | 19.5% |
| Inventory | 128 |
| Census Median Rent | $1,483 |
| 28% above US avg | |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $1,723 |
| Studio | $932 |
| 1 Bedroom | $981 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,161 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,499 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,780 |
| Owner-Occupied | 48.7% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $5,662 |
| 62% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 0.98% |
| Obesity | 28.8% |
| 10% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 8.9% |
| Heart Disease | 4.7% |
| High Blood Pressure | 29.6% |
| Asthma | 10.0% |
| COPD | 4.7% |
| Stroke | 2.5% |
| Binge Drinking | 15.2% |
| Physical Inactivity | 18.6% |
| Depression | 24.1% |
| Mental Distress | 15.2% |
| Physical Distress | 9.9% |
| Insurance Rate | 94.8% |
| Checkup Rate | 79.1% |
| Premature Death | 7,552/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.3/10 |
| Exercise Access | 72.8% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 163 |
| Total Violent | 142.9/100K |
| 62% below US avg | |
| Murder | 3.3/100K |
| 47% below US avg | |
| Rape | 21.6/100K |
| Robbery | 48.2/100K |
| Assault | 69.8/100K |
| Total Property | 2,237.9/100K |
| 14% above US avg | |
| Burglary | 598.1/100K |
| Theft | 1,530.2/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 109.7/100K |
| Arson | 5.0/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 10 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 60.6°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (26°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 43.6 inches |
| 15% above US avg |
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 397 ft (121 m) |
| Area | 21.7 sq mi (56.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,760/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.9283°N, 79.0414°W |
| County FIPS | 37037 |
Winner: Democrat by 12.5 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 77.2% |
| 129% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 96.2% |
| School Test Score | 5.46 |
| RUCC Code 2 | Metro — 250K–1M |
| Population Density | 2,760/sq mi |
| Total Area | 21.7 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 31 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 33 |
| Public Libraries | 3 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 163 |
| Restaurants | 119 |
| Retail Stores | 189 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 10 |
| Avg Commute | 19.6 min |
| Work from Home | 27.1% |