North Carolina

Durham

324,833
2020 population
1890
first census record
14
census records

About Durham

Durham, North Carolina, first appears in the United States federal census in 1890, when it recorded a population of 18,041. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 324,833.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 6 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Bennett Place — Johnston-Sherman Surrender Negotiations, Bennett Place — First Meeting April 17 1865, Johnston's Surrender at Bennett Place (April 26, 1865), and 88 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020324,833
2010267,587
2000223,314
1990181,835
1980152,785
1970132,681
1960111,995
1950101,639
194080,244
193067,196
192042,219
191035,276
190026,233
189018,041
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Durham

Military engagements that took place in Durham, North Carolina.

Bennett Place — Johnston-Sherman Surrender Negotiations
1865
Bennett Place — First Meeting April 17 1865
1865
Johnston's Surrender at Bennett Place (April 26, 1865)
1865
Kilpatrick's Cavalry Pursuit — Johnston's Retreat to Durham Station
1865
Johnston's Surrender at Bennett Place
1865
Bennett Place Surrender
1865

Historic places in Durham

National Register of Historic Places listings in Durham, North Carolina.

Carr, Johm C. and Binford, House
Durham
Venable Tobacco Company Prizery and Receiving Room
Durham
Clark and Sorrell Garage
Durham
Bullington Warehouse
Durham
North Durham County Prison Camp (Former)
Durham
Russell School
Durham
Liberty Warehouse Nos. 1 and 2
Durham
Bennett Place State Historic Site
Durham
Bright Leaf Historic District
Durham
Durham Hosiery Mill
Durham
Ephphatha Church
Durham
Hill, John Sprunt, House
Durham
Morehead Hill Historic District
Durham
Cleveland Street District
Durham
Stagville
Durham
Watts and Yuille Warehouses
Durham
Golden Belt Historic District
Durham
Meadowmont
Chapel Hill
Stokesdale Historic District
Durham
Smith Warehouse
Durham
Venable Tobacco Company Warehouse
Durham
Greystone
Durham
Biddle, Mary Duke, Estate
Durham
Durham Cotton Mills Village Historic District
Durham
Browse all North Carolinahistoric sites ›

Other counties in North Carolina

Explore census history and historic records for more North Carolina counties.

WaltonWarrenWashingtonWataugaWayneWilkesWilsonYadkinYanceyAlamanceAlexanderAlleghanyAnsonAsheAveryBeaufortBertieBladenBrunswickBuncombe
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Everything a full report reveals about Durham County, North Carolina

This page charts the census history of Durham County, North Carolina. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Durham

When does Durham first appear in the US census?
Durham, North Carolina first appears in the federal census in 1890, with a recorded population of 18,041.
What is the population of Durham?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Durham had a recorded population of 324,833.
Were any battles fought in Durham?
6 documented military engagements took place in Durham, including Bennett Place — Johnston-Sherman Surrender Negotiations, Bennett Place — First Meeting April 17 1865, Johnston's Surrender at Bennett Place (April 26, 1865).
How many historic places are in Durham?
88 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Durham, North Carolina.
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