Population

The population and demographic information on this page is based primarily on census data. Due to COVID-19, the U.S. Census Bureau has delayed processing some of the results of the 2020 decennial census. This page is being updated as additional data is released. Please take note of the year listed for each figure as there is a mix of newer and older data.

High Point’s historic population growth according to decennial census counts has seen the city grow from 2,500 residents in 1890 to over 114,000 in 2020:

Population chart

The Planning & Development Dept. estimates the city’s population as of April 1 each year based on several sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the N.C. Office of Budget & Management, and residential building permits and demolitions issued by the City. In addition, the Planning & Development Dept. calculates the projected population of the city approximately every five years. The City’s most recent annual population estimates and projections are shown in the table below:

Population - Population table

The estimate for 2022 was the first one to use the 2020 Census as a baseline. The 2021 estimate was revised downward because the original figure, which was still based on the 2010 Census due to delays in the release of 2020 Census results, was much higher than the actual count conducted in 2020. Updated population projections using 2020 Census data were completed in the fall of 2022 when all the information necessary to complete them became available.

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Demographics

The distribution of High Point’s 2020 population in five-year age increments reveals two immediately noticeable trends – the peak in 15 to 24-year-olds, and the wave of middle-aged Baby Boomers.  The increase in the number of late teens and young adults is due in large part to High Point University’s significant growth but also builds on the large Millennial age group.  As the Baby Boomers move out of mid-life they will contribute to the “graying” of the population, a trend that is being seen not only in High Point, but also across the nation.

Demographics - Sex by Age

Although most of the city’s population identified as either White (45.5%) or African-American (32.1%) during the 2020 Census, the trend in High Point over the past several decades has clearly been towards greater racial diversity. The percentage of the total population who identified as Asian grew from 6.1% to 8.8% from 2010 to 2020 and those in the Other category (which includes American Indians & Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islanders, those of two or more races, and those who identified as some other race) grew from 7.3% to 13.6% over the same time period. These figures show that High Point is now a majority non-White city.

Demographics - Race 2020
Demographics - Race 2010

Hispanic/Latino is considered an ethnicity by the Census Bureau because those who identify as such can be members of any race. The charts below show the percentage of the total population who identified as Hispanic/Latino in the past two decennial censuses. They grew from 8.5% to 11.2% of the city’s total population from 2010 to 2020 and have more than doubled in size since 2000.

Demographics - Hispanic 2020
Demographics - Hispanic 2010
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Did you know?
  • High Point is currently the ninth-largest municipality in North Carolina