Durham, NC
Full City Profile · North Carolina · Wake County County
3.6
/5.0
B+
Good
288,465
Population
2,427/sq mi density
$79,234
Median Income
$47,246 per capita
$355,300
Home Value
$389,634 Zillow
$1,412
Median Rent
28.7% income on rent
61°F
Avg Temperature
621
Violent Crime/100K
3,813 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$79,234 median income, 4.2% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$355,300 home value, $1,412/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
621 violent crimes/100K (63% above avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
55.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Durham enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.1 inches. The area receives 5.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 46.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.2°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 410 ft (125 m) |
| Area | 110.7 sq mi (286.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,427/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.9781°N, 78.8995°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Wake County County |
| Nearest Airport | Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) 9 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 46.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 61.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 1 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0414 ppm |
| NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide) | 12.0 ppb |
| SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide) | 0.09 ppb |
| CO (Carbon Monoxide) | 0.30 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 9.1 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 87.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (5°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 69°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 4.7 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 3.4 in |
Durham has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.1 inches, with September being the wettest month (5.2") and February the driest (2.8").