Sanford, NC β€” City Data, Demographics & Statistics

Lee County Β· North Carolina

🧬

City DNA

A unique fingerprint for Sanford based on 8 key metrics β€” compared to averages.

PopulationIncomeHome ValueSafetyEducationMedian AgeClimateCost of Living
Sanford
National Avg
North Carolina Avg
Population: 65Income: 36Home Value: 22Safety: 100Education: 20Median Age: 58Climate: 50Cost of Living: 49

Quick Stats

Population

30,833

2023 ACS

Median Income

$54,294

2023

Median Home Value

$222,000

2023

Median Rent

$965

2023

Median Age

34.9

Unemployment

4.0%

Cost of Living Index

97.2

100 = national avg

Sanford is a city in Lee County, North Carolina, with a population of 30,833 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Sanford is one of the communities in North Carolina.

The median household income in Sanford is $54,294, and the median home value is $222,000. The cost of living index is 97.2 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $965 per month. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, and the median age is 34.9 years.

People & Demographics

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)

Population

Total Population

30,833

Male

15,323

49.7%

Female

15,510

50.3%

Median Age

34.9

Education & Household

Bachelor's or Higher

14.1%

High School or Higher

29.0%

Foreign Born

14.5%

Veterans

4.4%

Married

36.5%

Avg Household Size

2.7

Marital Status by Age

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

0.546

Simpson's Index (0-1)

Largest Group

White

52.5%

Foreign Born

14.5%

White
52.5%
Black
24.3%
Asian
1.7%
Native American
0.2%
Two or More
12.8%
Other
8.5%

Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity

Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.

Hispanic/Latino

30.9%

9,527 people

Not Hispanic/Latino

69.1%

Hispanic/Latino Detail

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)
Mexican
5,591 (58.7%)
Puerto Rican
699 (7.3%)
Cuban
86 (0.9%)
Dominican
107 (1.1%)
Salvadoran
945 (9.9%)
Guatemalan
712 (7.5%)
Colombian
55 (0.6%)
Honduran
635 (6.7%)
Ecuadorian
38 (0.4%)
Peruvian
59 (0.6%)
Other Hispanic
599 (6.3%)

Asian Detail

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)
Asian Indian
114 (22.3%)
Chinese
14 (2.7%)
Filipino
153 (29.9%)
Vietnamese
219 (42.8%)
Korean
5 (1.0%)
Taiwanese
7 (1.4%)

American Indian & Alaska Native Detail

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)
Navajo
40 (54.1%)
Other Native American
35 (47.3%)

Languages Spoken

Total Speakers (5+)

28,713

English Only

70.4%

#1 Non-English Language

Spanish

7,729 speakers

Limited English

14.2%

Language Distribution

Spanish
7,729 (26.9%)
Vietnamese
188 (0.7%)
Arabic
141 (0.5%)
Other Languages
130 (0.5%)
German
101 (0.4%)
Other Indo-European
98 (0.3%)
French/Haitian/Cajun
58 (0.2%)
Slavic Languages
17 (0.1%)
Tagalog
16 (0.1%)
Chinese
7 (0.0%)

English Proficiency

Speaks English Very Well

85.8%

Limited English Proficiency

14.2%

Spanish
48.5% limited English
Vietnamese
83.5% limited English
Arabic
39.7% limited English
Other Languages
41.5% limited English
Other Indo-European
61.2% limited English

Veterans & Military

Total Veterans

1,344

4.4% of population

Disability Rate

42.0%

564 with disability

Veteran Median Income

$56,811

Unemployment Rate

0.2%

Period of Service

Gulf War (2001+)
25.9%
Gulf War (1990-2001)
31.9%
Vietnam
32.9%
Korea
4.0%

Veteran Age Distribution

18-34
6.8%
35-54
24.0%
55-64
24.9%
65-74
26.6%
75+
17.8%

Male Veterans

1,175

87.4%

Female Veterans

169

12.6%

Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income

Veteran Income

$56,811

Non-Veteran Income

$32,003

Difference

$24,808

77.5% higher

Disability Status

With Disability

564

Without Disability

780

Disability Rate

42.0%

Ancestry & Heritage

Total Reporting Ancestry

11,474

#1 Ancestry

English

9.3% (2,865)

#2 Ancestry

German

7.4% (2,297)

#3 Ancestry

Irish

3.5% (1,069)

Top 20 Ancestries

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)
English
9.3%
German
7.4%
Irish
3.5%
American
3.3%
Scottish
3.0%
Scotch-Irish
1.5%
European
1.3%
Sub-Saharan African
1.1%
Italian
1.1%
French
1.0%
Arab
0.7%
Norwegian
0.6%
Russian
0.5%
Welsh
0.5%
Polish
0.5%
Dutch
0.4%
Danish
0.4%
Portuguese
0.2%
Hungarian
0.2%
Swedish
0.2%

Families & Households

Total Households

11,237

Family Households

7,613

67.7%

Married Couples

4,982

44.3%

Non-Family Households

3,624

32.3%

Single Mother Households

2,273

20.2%

Single Father Households

358

3.2%

Living Alone

3,121

27.8%

Children Under 18

Total Children

7,814

In Married Couple

4,490

57.5%

With Single Mother

2,979

38.1%

With Single Father

345

4.4%

Family Income

Median Family Income

$63,251

Married Couple Income

$78,926

Single Mother Income

$31,969

Single Father Income

$62,892

Avg Family Size

2.7

Avg Non-Family Size

2.6

Grandparents w/ Grandchildren

469

Grandparents Responsible

153

Economy

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)

Income Overview

Median Household Income

$54,294

-26% vs national

Per Capita Income

$28,775

-23% vs national

Poverty Rate

20.3%

+49% vs national

Gini Index

0.4650

0 = perfect equality

Unemployment

4.0%

-22% vs national

SNAP Recipients

20.5%

of households

How Sanford Compares

Sanford vs Similar Cities

Compared to cities with 25,000 - 50,000 residents. Sanford is highlighted.

Median Household Income

Per Capita Income

Poverty Rate

Unemployment Rate

πŸ“Š

Where Do You Stack Up?

Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Sanford. The median household income here is $54,294.

$

Income Distribution

<$25K
20.7%
$25-50K
25.3%
$50-75K
19.0%
$75-100K
10.7%
$100-150K
13.3%
$150-200K
6.0%
$200K+
5.1%

Employment Snapshot

Unemployment Rate

4.0%

-30% vs NC avg

Labor Force

14,544

Employed

13,912

Mean Commute

22 min

How People Get to Work

Employment by Sector

Education & Workforce

Bachelor's Degree+

14.1%

of adults 25+

High School Diploma+

29.0%

of adults 25+

Median Age

34.9

Work from Home

5.7%

of workers

Cost of Living

Overall Index

97.2

100 = national avg

-2.8 vs national average

Living Wage (1 Adult)

$42,784

per year

Living Wage (Family of 4)

$101,125

per year

Cost Index by Category

Housing
109.4
Food
91.5
Transportation
91.8
Healthcare
93.2
Utilities
96.8

100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.

Fair Market Rent

Source: HUD

1 Bedroom

$880

per month

2 Bedroom

$1,136

per month

The median household income in Sanford, NC is $54,294, which is 25.9% below the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $28,775. The poverty rate of 20.3% is higher than the NC state average of 16.0%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.4650, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, compared to the state average of 5.8%. The labor force is 14,544. 14.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The average commute time is 22 minutes, with 5.7% working from home. About 78.2% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 97.2, which is 2.8% below the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 109.4. A single adult needs to earn approximately $42,784 per year to cover basic expenses.

Housing & Real Estate

Market SnapshotRedfin β€” January 2026

Median Sale Price

$298,000

Median List Price

$342,250

Price Per Sq Ft

$166

Days on Market

87

Active Inventory

180

Months of Supply

5.1

Balanced market

Zillow Home Value

$285,696

ZHVI β€” January 2026

Zillow Rent Index

$1,746

ZORI β€” January 2026

Market CompetitivenessRedfin

Sold Above List

11.4%

Off Market in 2 Weeks

19.5%

Sale-to-List Ratio

97.5%

Buyer's market

Sold Above Asking
11.4%
Under Contract in 2 Wks
19.5%
Listings with Price Drops
17.2%

Price TrendsRedfin

Sale Price ↓ 9.0%List Price ↑ 7.1%Mar 24 β†’ Jan 26

Market ActivityRedfin

Homes Sold

35

New Listings

44

Pending Sales

41

Homes Sold ↓ 47.8%New Listings ↓ 24.1%Pending ↓ 40.6%Mar 24 β†’ Jan 26

Price Per Square FootRedfin

Median Sale $/SF

$166

Median List $/SF

$177

Sale $/SF ↓ 6.2%List $/SF ↑ 4.1%Mar 24 β†’ Jan 26

Sanford vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin

Compared to cities with 25,000 - 50,000 residents. Sanford is highlighted.

Median Home Value

Median Rent

Median Price Per Sq Ft

Rent Burden

Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023

Median Home Value

$222,000

Median Rent

$965

Total Housing Units

12,364

Vacancy Rate

9.1%

Owner Occupied

52.0%

Renter Occupied

48.0%

Median Property Tax

$2,248

per year

Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)

$1,098

Housing Types

Single Family
64.0%
Multi-Family
31.3%
Mobile Home
4.7%

Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023

Median Property Tax

$2,248

per year

Effective Tax Rate

1.01%

of home value

Median Home Value

$222,000

Estimated Mean Tax

$2,452

The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($2,248) by the median home value ($222,000). In Sanford, NC, this works out to an effective rate of 1.01%. This is below the national average of approximately 1.1%.

The current median sale price in Sanford, NC is $298,000 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 87 days on the market. 11.4% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 5.1 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $166. Zillow's observed rent index is $1,746/month. About 52.0% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1986. There are 12,364 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $2,248. The effective tax rate is 1.01%, below the national average.

Crime Overview

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2022)

Violent Crime Rate

2.22

per 1,000 residents

-21% vs national

Property Crime Rate

24.42

per 1,000 residents

+30% vs national

Total Crimes

828

2022

Violent Clearance

41%

cases solved

Property Clearance

14%

cases solved

YoY Change

+2.9%

violent crime rate

worsening vs 2021

How Sanford Compares

Source: FBI (2022)

Sanford vs Similar Cities

Source: FBI (2022)

Compared to cities with 25,000 - 50,000 residents. Sanford is highlighted in green.

Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000)

Property Crime Rate (per 1,000)

Murder Rate (per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trends

Source: FBI
Violent ↓ 0.8%Property ↓ 7.9%2018 β†’ 2022

Crime Composition

Source: FBI (2022)

Violent Crime Breakdown

Property Crime Breakdown

Crime Clearance (Solve) Rates

Source: FBI (2022)

Sanford police solve 75% of murder cases but only 13% of larceny/theft cases.

Weapon Used in Violent Crime

Source: FBI (2022)

Crime Breakdown

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2022)
Crime TypeCategoryCountRate per 1KClearance %
MurderViolent40.1375.0%
RapeViolent20.0650.0%
RobberyViolent150.4820.0%
Aggravated AssaultViolent481.5443.8%
BurglaryProperty822.6422.0%
Larceny/TheftProperty63620.4613.4%
Motor Vehicle TheftProperty411.3217.1%

Sanford, NC reported 69 violent crimes and 759 property crimes in 2022. The violent crime rate of 2.22 per 1,000 residents is 20.7% below the national average of 2.80 per 1,000. Law enforcement cleared 41% of violent crimes. Larceny/theft accounts for 636 of the property crime reports. Firearms were involved in 47.9% of aggravated assaults. Violent crime has been trending upward.

Crime History

Source: FBI
YearViolentPropertyViolent RateProperty Rate
2022697592.2224.42
2021667582.1624.79
2020659222.1530.43
2018667822.2426.52

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

67.5

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

60.8

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

73.3

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

31.7

Score (0-100)

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster History & Federal Spending

Source: FEMA

Total Declarations

23

Public Assistance

$10.0M

Individual Assistance

$1.9M

Most Common Type

Hurricane

11 declarations

Public Assistance by Category

Total: $9.7M
DisasterTypeDatePA $IA $
Severe Winter Storm β†’Winter StormJan 2026β€”β€”
Tropical Storm Helene β†’Tropical StormSep 2024β€”$139K
Hurricane Helene β†’Tropical StormSep 2024β€”β€”
Tropical Storm Debby β†’Tropical StormAug 2024β€”β€”
Hurricane Ian β†’HurricaneOct 2022β€”β€”
Hurricane Isaias β†’HurricaneAug 2020β€”β€”
Covid-19 Pandemic β†’BiologicalMar 2020$195K$465K
Covid-19 β†’BiologicalMar 2020β€”β€”
Hurricane Dorian β†’HurricaneSep 2019β€”β€”
Hurricane Florence β†’HurricaneSep 2018$5.4M$323K
Hurricane Florence β†’HurricaneSep 2018β€”β€”
Hurricane Matthew β†’HurricaneOct 2016$1.5M$210K
Hurricane Matthew β†’HurricaneOct 2016β€”β€”
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding β†’Severe StormApr 2011$1.7M$763K
Hurricane Katrina Evacuation β†’HurricaneSep 2005β€”β€”
Severe Ice Storm β†’Severe Ice StormDec 2002$781Kβ€”
Severe Winter Storm β†’Severe StormJan 2000$272Kβ€”
Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarati… β†’HurricaneSep 1999$93Kβ€”
Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations β†’HurricaneSep 1999β€”β€”
Hurricane Fran β†’HurricaneSep 1996β€”β€”

Showing 20 of 24 disasters

PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

63

Total Claims Paid

$1,057,139

Avg Claim Payout

$16,780

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

7

Federal Funding

$893,721

Properties Protected

21

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

13.94

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine2$848,228
602.1: Other Equipment Purchase and Installation2$5,743
400.1: Utility Protective Measures (Electric, Gas, etc.)1$3,750
401.1: Water and Sanitary Sewer System Protective Measures1$36,000
601.1: Generators1$0

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

Sanford has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are hurricane, tornado, ice storm. The area has had 23 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (11 declarations). 63 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $10,003,839 in public assistance recovery funding. $1,901,550 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 7 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.

Health

Community Health

Source: CDC PLACES

Obesity Rate

39.7%

3.6pp above the national average

Depression Rate

24.5%

1.0pp above the national average

Diabetes Rate

14.1%

2.2pp above the national average

Uninsured Rate

17.8%

7.2pp above the national average

Health Scorecard

Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)

Health Outcomes

Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.

High Cholesterol

36.0%

Arthritis

26.9%

Cancer (excl. skin)

6.7%

Teeth Lost (65+)

21.3%

Health Risk Behaviors

Prevention & Screening

Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Frequent Mental Distress

18.7%

14+ days in past month

Depression

24.5%

Loneliness

35.9%

Lack of Support

26.1%

Disability Prevalence

Any Disability

37.4%

Mobility

17.2%

Cognitive

18.6%

Hearing

7.4%

Vision

8.0%

Self-Care

5.6%

Independent Living

10.8%

Health-Related Social Needs

Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health

Sanford has an obesity rate of 39.7%, which is 3.6pp above the national average. The depression rate is 24.5%, 1.0pp above the national average. About 17.8% of adults lack health insurance. 78.7% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.

Nearby Hospitals

Source: CMS Hospital Compare

Nearest Hospitals

5

With Emergency Services

4

Avg CMS Rating

3.3 / 5

Nearest Hospital

1.5 mi

Central Carolina Hospital

Loading map…
HospitalDistanceTypeRatingER
Central Carolina Hospital1.5 miAcute Care Hospitals1/5Yes
Chatham Hospital Inc21.4 miCritical Access Hospitalsβ€”Yes
Firsthealth Moore Regional Hospital26.7 miAcute Care Hospitals4/5Yes
Wakemed, Cary Hospital27.6 miAcute Care Hospitals5/5Yes
Good Hope Hospital, Inc27.9 miPsychiatricβ€”β€”

Climate & Environment

Water Systems

Source: EPA SDWIS

Water Systems

12

Pop. Served

82,697

Violations (5yr)

8

System NamePop. ServedViolations (5yr)
SANFORD, CITY OF48,3502
CHATHAM CO-NORTH23,0881
PITTSBORO, TOWN OF6,0601
CHATHAM CO-SW CHATHAM2,4701
CHATHAM CO-ASBURY1,5401
PINE VILLAGE MHC LLC4111
SKYLINE ESTATES MH S/D1701
FARM WATER WORKS1670
UNIVERSITY MOBILE ESTATES #21480
EASY BREEZE MANUFACTURED HOME PARK1080
CHATHAM PINES LLC980
OAK VILLAGE MOBILE HOME PARK WS870

There are 12 water systems serving the area. 8 water quality violations have been reported in the past 5 years.

Infrastructure

Commute Overview2023 ACS

Mean Commute

22 min

-7% vs national

Drive Alone

78.2%

-1% vs national

Work From Home

5.7%

-39% vs national

Carpool

13.8%

Walk

1.3%

How Sanford's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023

How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023

Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023

Traffic Fatalities

Source: NHTSA FARS (2023)

Fatalities

2

2023

6-Year Avg

4

fatalities/yr

Nighttime

2

dark conditions

YearCrashesFatalitiesAlcoholPedestrianCyclist
202322000
202244020
202146010
202034020
201933010
201844010

Data from NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Includes only crashes involving at least one fatality.

The average commute in Sanford, NC is 22 minutes, which is 7.3% below the national average of 23 minutes. 78.2% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 5.7% work from home, which is below the NC state average of 9.4%. 13.8% of workers carpool. 1.3% walk to work. In 2023, there were 2 traffic fatalities from 2 fatal crashes.

Internet & Broadband Access

Source: Census ACS

Broadband Access

72.2%

of households

Cable / Fiber / DSL

62.6%

of households

No Internet

9.9%

of households

Total Households

11,237

Internet Subscription Types

Cable, Fiber, or DSL
62.6%
Cellular Data Plan
69.0%
Satellite
4.4%
Cellular Only (no wired)
7.4%
No Internet Access
9.9%

Device Ownership

Source: Census ACS

Has Computer

93.4%

of households

Smartphone

89.1%

of households

Desktop / Laptop

69.0%

of households

Tablet

55.0%

of households

Any Computing Device
93.4%
Smartphone
89.1%
Desktop / Laptop
69.0%
Tablet
55.0%
Smartphone Only
18.3%
No Computer
6.6%

Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).

Electricity Rates

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)

Residential Rate

14.1Β’

per kWh

-26% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg

Commercial Rate

10.6Β’

per kWh

-32% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg

Industrial Rate

7.8Β’

per kWh

-35% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg

Avg Monthly Bill

$144

residential

-2% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg

17% below the national average of 17.1Β’/kWh

Residential electricity in North Carolina averages 14.1Β’ per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1Β’. The average monthly electric bill is $144. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).

Sanford vs Similar Cities

Source: EIA (2024)

Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (25,000 - 50,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.

Residential Rate (Β’/kWh)

Commercial Rate (Β’/kWh)

Industrial Rate (Β’/kWh)

Average Monthly Bill

Water Systems

Source: EPA SDWIS

Water Systems

12

Population Served

82,697

Violations (5yr)

8

System NameTypeSourcePop. ServedViolations
SANFORD, CITY OFCommunitySurface water48,3502
CHATHAM CO-NORTHCommunitySurface water23,0881
PITTSBORO, TOWN OFCommunitySurface water6,0601
CHATHAM CO-SW CHATHAMCommunityPurchased surface water2,4701
CHATHAM CO-ASBURYCommunityPurchased surface water1,5401
PINE VILLAGE MHC LLCCommunityGround water4111
SKYLINE ESTATES MH S/DCommunityPurchased surface water1701
FARM WATER WORKSCommunityGround water1670
UNIVERSITY MOBILE ESTATES #2CommunityGround water1480
EASY BREEZE MANUFACTURED HOME PARKCommunityPurchased surface water1080
CHATHAM PINES LLCCommunityGround water980
OAK VILLAGE MOBILE HOME PARK WSCommunityGround water870

72.2% of households in Sanford have broadband internet access. 62.6% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 7.4% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 9.9% of households have no internet access. 18.3% use only a smartphone without a desktop or laptop. The area is served by 12 water systems, providing water to 82,697 people. A total of 8 water quality violations have been recorded over the past 5 years.

Politics & Government

County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Sanford is located in Lee County, NC. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Sanford.

Election Overview

Source: Lee County (2024)

2024 Winner

Republican

Dem Votes

12,245

40.8%

GOP Votes

17,489

58.3%

Total Votes

30,007

Margin

R+17.5%

Shift from 2020

R+2.6pp

vs prior election

πŸ“ŠElection Results by Year
2016–2024
πŸ“ˆPartisan Lean Trend
R+17.5%

Election History

Source: County-Level Election Results
YearDem VotesGOP VotesTotalDem %GOP %Margin
202412,24517,48930,00740.8%58.3%R+17.5
202012,14316,46929,00841.9%56.8%R+14.9
201610,38013,62524,67642.1%55.2%R+13.1

In the 2024 presidential election, Lee County recorded 30,007 total votes. Republicans won the county with 58.3% of the vote compared to 40.8% for Democrats, a margin of R+17.5%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+2.6pp from the previous election. Since 2016, Lee County has shifted 4.3 percentage points toward Republicans.

Nonprofits Overview

Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMF

Total Nonprofits

326

Total Assets

$175.8M

Total Income

$103.9M

Per 10K Residents

105.7

nonprofits

+107.0% vs peers avg

Orgs with >$1M Assets

30

Median Assets

$210K

Oldest Active

1945

ruling year

Newest Org

2026

ruling year

Nonprofits by Category

Source: IRS / NTEE Classification
Religion
65
Education
43
Human Services
31
Arts & Culture
18
Recreation & Sports
16
Animal-Related
15
Philanthropy
12
Youth Development
10
Health Care
9
Public Benefit
8
Environment
6
Mental Health
6
Food & Agriculture
6
International
6
Community Improvement
5
Employment
4
Medical Research
3
Unknown
3
Crime & Legal
2
Public Safety
2
Civil Rights
2
Mutual Benefit
2
Voluntary Health
1
Housing & Shelter
1
Science & Tech
1
69.4%of all nonprofit assets are held by the 10 largest organizations

Top 10 hold $122.0M of $175.8M total

Nonprofit Size Distribution

Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMF

Number of nonprofits by total asset size

When Were Nonprofits Founded?

Source: IRS Ruling Date

Number of currently active nonprofits by founding decade

Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities

Source: IRS BMF + Census ACS

Compared to cities with population 25,000 - 50,000

Largest Nonprofits in Sanford

Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMF
OrganizationCategoryAssetsIncomeEst.IRS
RUBY AND ERNEST MCSWAIN WORTHY LANDS TRPhilanthropy$28.4M$16.0M2017
ASCEND LEADERSHIP ACADEMY INCEducation$17.8M$7.0M2018
SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS ENDOWMENT FUND INCCommunity Improvement$17.3M$3.6M2007
URBAN SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTORS NETWORKEnvironment$16.7M$11.3M2019
CENTRAL CAROLINA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INCEducation$16.0M$2.1M1989
LIVE OAK FOUNDATION INCArts & Culture$7.7M$3.8M2015
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF CENTRAL CAROLINA INCYouth Development$4.7M$4.8M1995
NORTHVIEW FIRE DEPT INCPublic Safety$4.6M$1.5M2009
STEVENS CENTERβ€”$4.6M$3.7M1990
LEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL INCEducation$4.0M$4.3M1995
BRICK CAPITAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONCommunity Improvement$3.9M$2.1M1993
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL INCHousing & Shelter$3.3M$2.3M1987
CIVITAS NETWORKS FOR HEALTHHealth Care$3.1M$3.2M2013
PERKINS FOUNDATION INCPhilanthropy$2.5M$2.0M2007
OUTREACH MISSION INCReligion$2.3M$1.8M2011
TEMPLE THEATER COMPANY INCArts & Culture$2.2M$1.2M1982
MCSWAIN TRUST AGREEMENTPhilanthropy$2.2M$511K2017
CATAPULT DESIGNCommunity Improvement$2.0M$2.3M2010
T L C HOME INCβ€”$1.9M$1.9M1983
BCA FOUNDATIONPhilanthropy$1.9M$407K2022
IMPACTSTORYEducation$1.9M$3.5M2014
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CENTRAL CAROLINA FOUNDATION INCPhilanthropy$1.8M$950K2021
POCKET VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT INCβ€”$1.8M$678K1983
LEE COUNTY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONEducation$1.8M$944K2003
LEE COUNTY INDUSTRIES INCEmployment$1.5M$1.3M1968
QUAKER VOLUNTARY SERVICE INCHuman Services$1.5M$617K2012
ST LUKE UNITED METHODIST FOUNDATION INCReligion$1.3M$1.3M2017
THE OPTIMIST CLUB OF DEEP RIVER - NORTHVIEW NORTH CAROLINARecreation & Sports$1.2M$79K1995
HAVEN IN LEE COUNTY INCβ€”$1.2M$892K1989
SUFFER THE CHILDRENInternational$1.2M$650K2019
CHRISTIANS UNITED OUTREACH CENTER OF LEE COUNTYHuman Services$871K$1.1M2006
COPA SAFETY & EDUCATION FOUNDATIONPublic Safety$798K$1.0M2014
LEE COUNTY ARTS & COMMUNITY CENTER INCArts & Culture$695K$204K1996
CENTRAL CAROLINA STRATEGIC DEVELOPERSβ€”$692Kβ€”2020
CHURCHES IN MISSIONS INCHuman Services$606K$578K2002
RESOLV PROVING GROUNDPublic Benefit$565K$571K2024
SANFORD SOUP KITCHEN INCβ€”$486K$192K1990
PORTUGUESE WATER DOG FOUNDATION INCAnimal-Related$471K$103K2023
REACH OUT CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTERHealth Care$451K$244K1997
THE ENRICHMENT CENTER OF LEE COUNTY INCβ€”$390K$191K1990
AL HAMID ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF SANFORDArts & Culture$385K$199K2025
UNITED WAY OF LEE COUNTY INCβ€”$377K$258K1962
WILLIAM PRETTY FOUNDATIONEducation$363K$7K2012
IGLESIA MANANTIAL DE AGUA VIVAReligion$349K$119K2023
CAROLINA ANIMAL RESCUE & ADOPTION INCAnimal-Related$346K$224K1983
ILLUMANReligion$346K$378K2014
PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIESEducation$336K$3.7M1997
SSAFE INCFood & Agriculture$325K$200K2007
SANFORD AREA SOCCOR LEAGUE INCRecreation & Sports$266K$438K2005
SIVIO INSTITUTEInternational$262K$810K2019

Sanford, NC has 326 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $175.8M. The most common category is Religion-Related, with 65 organizations. 30 nonprofits have assets exceeding $1 million. That works out to 105.7 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1945.

SBA Lending Overview

Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level Data

Total SBA Loans

159

Total Approved

$81.8M

Jobs Supported

1,206

Per 10K Residents

51.6

SBA loans

-53.2% vs peers avg

Unique Lenders

46

Top Lender

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

20 loans

Top Industry

Accommodation & Food Services

Data Span

1992–2026

Loan Program Breakdown

Source: SBA FOIA
7(a)92% of all loans

Loans

147

Total Amount

$77.0M

Avg Loan

$523,971

Median Loan

$322,000

SBA Guaranteed

$55.2M(72%)

Jobs Supported

1,116

5048% of all loans

Loans

12

Total Amount

$4.8M

Avg Loan

$396,167

Median Loan

$341,000

7(a) β€” 92%504 β€” 8%

Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)

Source: SBA FOIA

Recent Loans

45

28% of all-time total

Recent Amount

$33.4M

41% of all-time total

Avg Recent Loan

$741,502

Top Industries Funded

Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS Codes
Accommodation & Food Services19 loans
NAICS 72
$10.4M
Manufacturing15 loans
NAICS 33
$15.1M
Other Services15 loans
NAICS 81
$7.9M
Health Care & Social Assistance13 loans
NAICS 62
$6.2M
Retail Trade13 loans
NAICS 45
$6.9M

SBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities

Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACS

Compared to cities with population 25,000 - 50,000

Top SBA Borrowers

Source: SBA FOIA
BusinessLoansAmount
Best Sales and Support Llc1$5.0M
Jmc Tool & Machine1$5.0M
Ccl Investments Llc.2$3.5M
Hadur Manufacturing Llc1$3.4M
Sanford Bp Llc1$2.7M
Hallman Foundry Inc6$2.6M
Americangifts Inc.2$2.0M
Oborne Corporation1$1.9M
Violet Sanford Holdings Llc2$1.9M
Chunns Cove Assisted Living1$1.7M

Sanford, NC has received 159 SBA loans totaling $81.8M in approved funding between 1992 and 2026. The 7(a) program accounts for 147 loans (92% of the total), supporting 1,116 jobs. The 504 program, focused on real estate and large equipment, has funded 12 loans totaling $4.8M. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Accommodation & Food Services. The most active SBA lender in Sanford is Wells Fargo Bank National Association with 20 loans. That works out to 51.6 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.

ZIP Code Overview

Source: Census ACS

ZIP Codes

6

Total Population

78,647

Avg Median Income

-$222,176,571

Avg Home Value

-$333,202,666

ZIP Code Details

Source: Census ACS
ZIP CodePopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueMedian RentArea (sq mi)
2725674N/AN/AN/A1.1
2733041,473$60,726$213,000$966210.7
2733234,378$73,075$224,000$1,086107.1
275592,607$63,750$347,000$1,34150.6
283550N/AN/AN/A0.0
28368115$76,354N/AN/A0.3

Sanford, NC has 6 ZIP codes with a combined population of 78,647. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is -$222,176,571. The average median home value is -$333,202,666. The average median monthly rent is -$333,332,767.

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