Sanford, North Carolina Population
Current Population
34,138
Estimated July 1, 2025
+3,911 residents(+12.9%)since 2020
Annual change+3.1%2024–2025
Latest Official Census
30,261
2020 Census
cityLee County
Population Over Time
Estimated population changed from 30,227 in 2020 to 34,138 in 2025.
| Year | Population | Change | % change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 30,227 | — | — |
| 2021 | 30,557 | +330 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | 31,312 | +755 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | 32,206 | +894 | +2.9% |
| 2024 | 33,120 | +914 | +2.8% |
| 2025 | 34,138 | +1,018 | +3.1% |
2020 Census (official count): 30,261
Census History
Official Decennial Census counts. Each is an enumeration taken on April 1 of its census year, separate from the annual estimates above.
| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 Census | 28,094 |
| 2020 Census | 30,261 |
Insights
Sanford's population grew 7.7% from 2010 to 2020.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau — 2020 Census Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171), table P1
How this was determined
Strongest eligible observation in category "change" (score 66.06, confidence 75); chosen from 1 eligible candidate(s).
Compared against: U.S. places
Confidence: 75/100
Sanford is North Carolina's 35th-largest incorporated place by population.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau — Subcounty Resident Population Estimates (SUB-EST2025), Vintage 2025
How this was determined
Strongest eligible observation in category "perspective" (score 65.25, confidence 85); chosen from 1 eligible candidate(s).
Compared against: incorporated places in North Carolina
Confidence: 85/100
Sources & Methodology
The current population figure is an annual estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program. The 2020 Census is shown separately as the official benchmark.
Current estimate — 34,138 · July 1, 2025
U.S. Census Bureau — Subcounty Resident Population Estimates (SUB-EST2025), Vintage 2025
Official Census — 30,261 · April 1, 2020
U.S. Census Bureau — 2020 Census Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171), table P1
These figures can differ because the Census and annual population estimates are produced at different times using different methods. Both are shown so you can distinguish the most current estimate from the official Census benchmark.
How the change since 2020 is calculated
Both endpoints come from the same Census Bureau Population Estimates Program release, so the comparison is like for like: 30,227 on July 1, 2020 and 34,138 on July 1, 2025. The change is the later estimate minus the earlier one (+3,911), and the percentage is that change divided by the 2020 estimate (+12.9%). The Decennial Census count is never used as an endpoint here — it is an enumeration on a different reference date, produced by a different method, so subtracting one from the other would measure the difference between two methods as well as the change in population.
U.S. Census Bureau — Subcounty Resident Population Estimates (SUB-EST2025), Vintage 2025
- FIPS code
- 3759280
- Legal status
- incorporated
- LSAD description
- city
- Primary county
- Lee County