Population 7,831 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Chapel Hill
Household size in Chapel Hill
| Period | Chapel Hill | Nashville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.77 | 2.57 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.94 | 2.63 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.77 | 2.64 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.85 | 2.56 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.08 | −0.01 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Chapel Hill average 2.85 people, above the national 2.65, so families with children are more common here. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.77, even as the national average fell. Only 15 of the 202 Tennessee cities with 5,000+ people have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Chapel Hill
| Period | Chapel Hill | Nashville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.7 | 36.6 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.2 | 37.3 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.4 | 37.9 | 39.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.4 | 38.0 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.3 | +1.5 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
Chapel Hill is younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 36.4, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 37.7, even as the national median rose. Only 13 of the 202 Tennessee cities with 5,000+ people are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Chapel Hill
| Period | Chapel Hill | Nashville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.7% | 11.7% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.4% | 11.6% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.0% | 10.7% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.7% | 10.7% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are about as common in Chapel Hill as they are nationally: 10.7%, against 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 3.0 points, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Chapel Hill
Renters in Chapel Hill
| Period | Chapel Hill | Nashville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.7% | 31.5% | 30.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.1% | 34.2% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.3% | 34.2% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 13.5% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | +3.3 pts | +2.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 13.5% of households in Chapel Hill rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 30.3% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Only 19 of the 202 Tennessee cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Chapel Hill
| Period | Chapel Hill | Nashville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.4% | 9.1% | 11.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.8% | 8.8% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.7% | 8.5% | 11.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.5% | 8.2% | 10.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 5.5% of homes in Chapel Hill are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Vacancy is down 3.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Chapel Hill has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Tennessee cities.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Chapel Hill
| Period | Chapel Hill | Nashville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1992 | 1984 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1995 | 1985 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1995 | 1988 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1999 | 1992 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +9 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Chapel Hill is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1999, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1992 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the center has the oldest housing. Of the 202 Tennessee cities with 5,000+ people, only 19 have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Chapel Hill
| Period | Chapel Hill | Nashville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $630 | $905 | $761 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $803 | $986 | $837 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $933 | $1,212 | $961 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,366 | $1,653 | $1,286 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$736 | +$749 | +$526 | +$606 |
The median renter in Chapel Hill pays $1,366 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $736 a month from 2006–10, a 117% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 24.2% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the west; the highest are in the center.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Chapel Hill
Bachelor's degrees in Chapel Hill
| Period | Chapel Hill | Nashville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.7% | 30.1% | 23.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.6% | 32.0% | 25.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.7% | 36.3% | 27.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.9% | 41.0% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +12.2 pts | +10.9 pts | +7.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over a quarter of adults 25 and older in Chapel Hill (25.9%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 12.2 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the northwest and least in the east.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Chapel Hill
| Period | Chapel Hill | Nashville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.0% | 86.5% | 83.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.7% | 88.0% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.2% | 90.0% | 87.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.7% | 91.7% | 89.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.7 pts | +5.1 pts | +6.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Chapel Hill: 94.7% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 8.7 points, as it has nationally. Chapel Hill has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Tennessee cities.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Chapel Hill
| Period | Chapel Hill | Nashville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 7.2% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.3% | 7.8% | 9.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.0% | 3.9% | 5.4% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.2% | 3.6% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.4 pts | −3.6 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Chapel Hill has been strong: just 2.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only 16 of the 202 Tennessee cities with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 7.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Chapel Hill compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill | 2.85 | 36.4 | 10.7% | 13.5% | 5.5% | 1999 | $1,366 | 25.9% | 94.7% | 2.2% |
| Thick | 2.83 | 37.6 | 14.8% | 9.7% | 6.9% | 2005 | $1,453 | 37.8% | 97.5% | 3.1% |
| Hardison Mill | 2.70 | 45.2 | 16.5% | 6.8% | 9.6% | 1999 | $1,327 | 28.1% | 93.6% | 2.6% |
| Rover | 2.75 | 38.0 | 11.8% | 12.2% | 4.8% | 1998 | $1,290 | 24.0% | 90.6% | 1.9% |
| Holts Corner | 2.29 | 42.3 | 9.1% | 10.8% | 5.4% | 2005 | $1,408 | 24.1% | 95.0% | 3.0% |
| Pottsville | 2.92 | 45.6 | 14.3% | 10.7% | 5.9% | 1999 | $1,865 | 28.4% | 87.8% | 0.8% |
| Verona | 2.92 | 38.7 | 19.2% | 6.4% | 3.9% | 1998 | $1,081 | 26.9% | 87.5% | 1.3% |
| Farmington | 3.03 | 36.4 | 19.1% | 9.7% | 4.6% | 1995 | $1,060 | 27.5% | 85.6% | 0.8% |
| Leftwich | 2.35 | 49.6 | 6.9% | 6.5% | 7.0% | 2000 | $1,237 | 34.9% | 92.8% | 2.1% |
| Berlin | 2.35 | 52.6 | 18.9% | 4.0% | 7.6% | 1998 | $1,059 | 20.9% | 90.7% | 3.6% |
| Taylor Crossroads | 2.57 | 43.3 | 1.8% | 0.4% | 9.7% | 2003 | $1,101 | 16.3% | 89.7% | 1.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Pelham, NY · Medina, TN · Mendenhall, MS · Mendota, IL · Mercersburg, PA · Middleborough Center, MA · Midway, GA · Park City, KS · Parkton, NC · Pasadena Hills, FL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Chapel Hill. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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