Metro area profile · North Carolina
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area market data
How the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area compares with other metro areas for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 625,485
- +7.5% since 2020
- Households
- 248,256
- Median household income
- $83,500
- Median home value
- $396,100
- Jobs located here
- 363,261
- Highest market score
- 88
- Insurance agencies, #10 of 387 scored metro areas
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
The Durham-Chapel Hill metro area has an estimated 625,485 people and 248,256 households. Population estimates put the population change in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area from 2020 to 2025 at +7.5%, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area is $83,500, 3% above the U.S. median of $80,734.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area runs highest on vehicle insurance (an index of 121, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on memberships, classes and admissions (91).
Of the business types scored in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area, insurance agencies (88), roofing and gutter companies (87) and pest control companies (85) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For insurance agencies, that ranks #10 of 387 scored metro areas.
The Durham-Chapel Hill metro area takes in 4 counties: Durham County, Orange County, Chatham County and Person County. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for physical therapy clinics (69% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for laundromats (44% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area with other metro areas for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among metro areas | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance agencies | 88 | #10 of 387 | 269 | 10.8 | $2.2M | 174 | 156 |
| Roofing and gutters | 87 | #2 of 381 | 54 | 2.2 | $14.6M | 172 | 34 |
| Pest control | 85 | #4 of 345 | 20 | 0.8 | $20.1M | 197 | 26 |
| Home repair trades | 84 | #5 of 387 | 236 | 9.5 | $3.3M | 137 | 357 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 84 | #7 of 387 | 122 | 4.9 | $6.5M | 136 | 179 |
| Pet stores | 82 | #10 of 382 | 40 | 1.6 | $6.2M | 138 | 17 |
| Pizza | 82 | #11 of 387 | 155 | 6.2 | $6.7M | 132 | 464 |
| Chiropractors | 80 | #8 of 386 | 78 | 3.1 | $3.9M | 162 | 40 |
| Auto repair and car care | 80 | #12 of 387 | 619 | 24.9 | $359K | 134 | 269 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 80 | #14 of 387 | 191 | 7.7 | $2.1M | 126 | 387 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 80 | #16 of 387 | 2,441 | 98.3 | $425K | 115 | 1,023 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 80 | #21 of 387 | 424 | 17.1 | $1.2M | 139 | 195 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 80 | #22 of 387 | 295 | 11.9 | $1.8M | 138 | 157 |
| Home inspectors | 79 | #6 of 243 | 6 | 0.2 | Index only | 257 | 12 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 79 | #8 of 387 | 192 | 7.7 | $5.4M | 131 | 130 |
| Oil change and quick lube | 79 | #11 of 290 | 9 | 0.4 | $24.7M | 180 | 11 |
| Auto repair shops | 79 | #14 of 387 | 376 | 15.1 | $592K | 133 | 187 |
| House cleaning | 79 | #14 of 375 | 40 | 1.6 | $10.1M | 157 | 140 |
| Laundromats | 79 | #22 of 364 | 22 | 0.9 | $23.6M | 188 | 15 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 79 | #31 of 387 | 295 | 11.9 | $3.5M | 115 | 464 |
| Car washes and detailing | 76 | #20 of 387 | 74 | 3.0 | $3M | 119 | 17 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 75 | #28 of 381 | 54 | 2.2 | $4.1M | 134 | 41 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 75 | #37 of 385 | 131 | 5.3 | $3.1M | 105 | 221 |
| Spas and skin care | 74 | #22 of 387 | 201 | 8.1 | $1.2M | 139 | 47 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 74 | #32 of 387 | 238 | 9.6 | $4.4M | 118 | 117 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 74 | #33 of 386 | 65 | 2.6 | $3.8M | 151 | 59 |
| Electricians | 73 | #29 of 383 | 60 | 2.4 | $13.1M | 109 | 144 |
| Barbershops | 73 | #31 of 387 | 126 | 5.1 | $1.9M | 103 | 5 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 72 | #18 of 387 | 981 | 39.5 | $249K | 117 | 210 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 72 | #24 of 373 | 66 | 2.7 | Index only | 157 | 31 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 71 | #55 of 387 | 420 | 16.9 | $3.8M | 111 | 146 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 70 | #51 of 387 | 1,379 | 55.5 | $753K | 113 | 432 |
| Hair salons | 69 | #40 of 387 | 514 | 20.7 | $475K | 110 | 126 |
| Nail salons | 68 | #52 of 387 | 126 | 5.1 | $1.9M | 116 | 29 |
| Pet businesses | 68 | #61 of 387 | 238 | 9.6 | $1M | 119 | 167 |
| Convenience stores | 67 | #77 of 387 | 209 | 8.4 | $7.6M | 96 | 49 |
| Gas stations | 67 | #86 of 387 | 250 | 10.1 | $2.8M | 116 | 191 |
| Funeral homes | 65 | #96 of 377 | 43 | 1.7 | $723K | 107 | 15 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | 62 | #49 of 197 | 11 | 0.4 | $27.5M | 112 | 19 |
| Grocery stores | 62 | #109 of 387 | 159 | 6.4 | $9.9M | 107 | 97 |
| Real estate | 59 | #103 of 387 | 773 | 31.1 | Index only | 121 | 569 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 58 | #120 of 386 | 97 | 3.9 | $3.1M | 99 | 36 |
| Veterinarians | 57 | #147 of 384 | 95 | 3.8 | $2.6M | 97 | 91 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 56 | #127 of 387 | 629 | 25.3 | Index only | 118 | 344 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 56 | #150 of 387 | 199 | 8.0 | $1.5M | 85 | 280 |
| Gyms | 55 | #144 of 387 | 185 | 7.5 | $1.2M | 92 | 88 |
| Property management | 54 | #151 of 374 | 72 | 2.9 | Index only | 101 | 147 |
| Dry cleaners | 53 | #135 of 272 | 36 | 1.5 | $14.4M | 92 | 23 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 50 | #182 of 387 | 111 | 4.5 | $2M | 99 | 113 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 49 | #197 of 387 | 308 | 12.4 | $981K | 100 | 233 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 48 | #209 of 387 | 2,818 | 113.5 | $107K | 70 | 689 |
| Child care and preschools | 48 | #211 of 387 | 169 | 6.8 | $822K | 82 | 192 |
| Tire shops | 48 | #220 of 386 | 91 | 3.7 | $2.4M | 98 | 47 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 45 | #247 of 387 | 387 | 15.6 | $574K | 87 | 201 |
| Physical therapy | 43 | #245 of 386 | 227 | 9.1 | $1.3M | 55 | 81 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | 38 | #283 of 347 | 91 | 3.7 | $2.4M | 60 | 88 |
Household spending in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $222.5M | $896 | 94 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $691.1M | $2,784 | 107 |
| Food away from home | $1B | $4,183 | 103 |
| Groceries | $1.6B | $6,370 | 101 |
| Personal care products and services | $244.2M | $984 | 98 |
| Child care and other personal services | $139M | $560 | 96 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $222M | $894 | 91 |
| Medical and dental services | $302.1M | $1,217 | 94 |
| Pets | $249.8M | $1,006 | 111 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $518.7M | $2,089 | 102 |
| Vehicle insurance | $587.2M | $2,365 | 121 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $787.4M | $3,172 | 105 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $402.6M | $1,622 | 115 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $4.1B | $16,314 | 98 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 625,485+7.5% since 2020
- Households
- 248,256
- Median age
- 39.9
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 62%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.8
- Land area
- 1,759 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 342
- Median household income
- $83,500
- Average household income
- $120,978
- Median home value
- $396,100
- Jobs located here
- 363,261
- Daytime population
- 696,157Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area?
These figures cover the whole metro area. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area 4
- Durham County, NC332,353 people
- Orange County, NC149,678 people
- Chatham County, NC80,151 people
- Person County, NC39,542 people
Other markets based in North Carolina 12
- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area2,768,407 people
- Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area1,487,302 people
- Greensboro-High Point, NC metro area786,419 people
- Winston-Salem, NC metro area689,766 people
- Wilmington, NC metro area453,347 people
- Asheville, NC metro area414,711 people
- Fayetteville, NC metro area392,380 people
- Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area368,316 people
- Jacksonville, NC metro area207,906 people
- Greenville, NC metro area177,193 people
- Burlington, NC metro area176,893 people
- Rocky Mount, NC metro area144,952 people
Questions
How fast is the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area growing?
Population estimates put the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area at 625,485 people in 2025, up 7.5% since 2020, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 248,256 households.
How much do households in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area spend?
Households in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area spend about $4.1B a year on rent and homeowner costs, $1.6B on groceries and $1B on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area spend the most on vehicle insurance (an index of 121, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on memberships, classes and admissions (91).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area?
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area are for insurance agencies (88), roofing and gutter companies (87) and pest control companies (85). The Durham-Chapel Hill metro area ranks #10 of 387 scored metro areas for insurance agencies.
How does the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area is $83,500 a year, 3% above the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 7.5% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $396,100, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for physical therapy clinics (69% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for laundromats (44% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. All 56 business types have a score in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area, each ranked against other metro areas.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in North Carolina · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.