Sanford Flag

Sanford

County:
Lee County
County Seat:
Yes
Area (mi²):
33.182

Sanford is a city located in Lee County, North Carolina. Sanford has a 2026 population of 34,341. It is also the county seat of Lee County. Sanford is currently growing at a rate of 2.04% annually and its population has increased by 13.6% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 30,231 in 2020.

The median household income in Sanford is $57,586 with a poverty rate of 21.98%. The median age in Sanford is 34.7 years: 32.4 years for males, and 37.3 years for females. For every 100 females there are 99.7 males.

34.3K
Total Population
1,035
Density (mi²)
685 2.04%
Growth

Sanford Population

Sanford Population

Data after 2023 is projected based on recent change

Year ↓
Population
Growth
Annual Change
202634,3416852.04%
202533,6566852.08%
202432,9717432.31%
202332,2288912.84%
202231,3377662.51%
202130,5713401.12%
202030,231340.11%
201930,0742380.8%
201829,8364271.45%
201729,4093171.09%
201629,0921550.54%
201528,937-42-0.14%
201428,979-197-0.68%
201329,1762410.83%
201228,9353241.13%
201128,6113781.34%
201028,2331390.49%
200023,2208,74560.41%
199014,475-298-2.02%
198014,7733,05726.09%
197011,716-537-4.38%
196012,2532,24022.37%
195010,0135,053101.87%
19404,96070716.62%
19304,2531,27642.86%
19202,9772,577644.25%
190040000%

Median Age

Overall: 34.7 years
Female: 37.3 years
Male: 32.4 years

Sanford Adults

There are 22,693 adults, (4,768 of whom are seniors) in Sanford.

Sex Ratio

Female: 15,764 (50.1%)
Male: 15,714 (49.9%)

Demographics

The racial composition of Sanford includes 50.15% White, 23.58% Black or African American, 10.64% other race, and smaller percentages for Asian, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
White15,78750.15%
Black or African American7,42123.58%
Two or more races4,46814.19%
Other race3,35010.64%
Asian2970.94%
Native American1470.47%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander80.03%
Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
Other race3,33010.58%
Two or more races3,22710.25%
White2,6228.33%
Black or African American1520.48%
Native American1280.41%
Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
White13,16541.82%
Black or African American7,26923.09%
Two or more races1,2413.94%
Asian2970.94%
Other race200.06%
Native American190.06%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander80.03%

Sanford Marital Status

Economics and Income Statistics

Sanford 's average per capita income is $40,103. Household income levels show a median of $57,586. The poverty rate stands at 21.98%.

Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
Name
Median ↓
Mean
Married Families$81,446-
Families$63,207$84,284
Households$57,586$74,264
Non Families$33,174$45,627

$40,103

Average Income

$57,586

Median Household Income

21.98%

Poverty Rate

Nearby Cities

Sources

  1. US Census State Population Estimates - Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  2. US Census County Population Estimates - Most recent county estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  3. American Community Survey (2009 - 2013)
  4. Census QuickFacts
  5. Historical Populations of States and Counties (1790 - 1990)