Durham Population 2026
Durham has a population of 257,636, making it the #83 biggest city in 🇺🇸 United States, located in North Carolina. Roughly 0.1% of United States's population lives here. It is about 34× smaller than New York City, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
257,636
Rank in United States
#83
Coordinates
35.99°N, 78.90°W
~123 m elevation · America/New_York
Distance to capital (Washington)
362 km
225 miles, straight line
Other big cities in North Carolina
| City | Population | Rank in United States |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 911,311 | #15 |
| Raleigh | 482,295 | #39 |
| Greensboro | 285,342 | #71 |
| Winston-Salem | 241,218 | #90 |
| Fayetteville | 201,963 | #119 |
| Cary | 159,769 | #166 |
| Wilmington | 115,933 | #255 |
| High Point | 110,268 | #279 |
Cities near Durham
- Chapel Hill59,568 people · ~17 km away
- Carrboro21,156 people · ~18 km away
- Cary159,769 people · ~25 km away
- Apex45,585 people · ~29 km away
- Raleigh482,295 people · ~34 km away
- Wake Forest38,199 people · ~35 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Durham?
Durham has a population of 257,636 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #83 biggest city in United States.
What state is Durham in?
Durham is located in North Carolina, United States.
Is Durham the capital of United States?
No, the capital of United States is Washington D.C., about 362 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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