How many renters in Winston-Salem, NC pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Winston-Salem, NC, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

50.7% (±3.0 points) of renting households in Winston-Salem, NC spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

41.1% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 30.4% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 50.7% (±3.0 points)
Paying 35% or more: 41.1% (±2.6 points)
Median share of income: 30.4% (±1.2 points)

Rent as a share of income in Winston-Salem

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Winston-Salem	Forsyth County	North Carolina	United States
Less than 15%	12.3% (±1.5 points)	12.8%	14.1%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	11.4% (±1.3 points)	12.7%	12.6%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	14.5% (±2.0 points)	14.2%	13.2%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	11.1% (±1.5 points)	11.3%	11.3%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	9.6% (±1.5 points)	9.6%	9.3%	9.2%
35% or more	41.1% (±2.6 points)	39.5%	39.6%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Winston-Salem against Forsyth County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Winston-Salem	Forsyth County	North Carolina	United States
Paying 30% or more	50.7% (±3.0 points)	49.1% (±2.6 points)	48.9% (±0.6 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	41.1% (±2.6 points)	39.5% (±2.3 points)	39.6% (±0.5 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	30.4% (±1.2 points)	29.6% (±0.9 points)	29.5% (±0.2 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$40,660 (±$2,514)	$43,013 (±$1,657)	$48,010 (±$418)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$1,087 (±$22)	$1,098 (±$20)	$1,228 (±$5)	$1,413

In Winston-Salem, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is not measurably different from Forsyth County (49.1%).

It is not measurably different from North Carolina (48.9%).

It is not measurably different from the national figure (51.1%).

In Forsyth County, Winston-Salem ranks 3 of 9 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.

Statewide, it ranks 301 of 650.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Winston-Salem

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Winston-Salem
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Winston-Salem	—	50.7% (±3.0 points)	—
Walkertown	6.1 mi	32.2% (±19.7 points)	Not measurably different
Bethania	6.7 mi	69.5% (±42.5 points)	Not measurably different
Wallburg	8.1 mi	100.0% (±116.3 points)	Not measurably different
Clemmons	8.5 mi	48.0% (±10.2 points)	Not measurably different
Rural Hall	8.6 mi	43.1% (±22.7 points)	Not measurably different
Midway	9.1 mi	20.6% (±20.2 points)	Lower
Lewisville	9.1 mi	27.8% (±16.6 points)	Lower
Kernersville	10.0 mi	46.0% (±7.4 points)	Not measurably different

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Midway, NC (20.6%), Lewisville, NC (27.8%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Renters paying 30% or more of income across Forsyth County, place by place

Rank	Place	Renters paying 30% or more of income
1	Germanton	100.0% (±86.1 points)
2	Bethania	69.5% (±42.5 points)
3	Winston-Salem	50.7% (±3.0 points)
4	Clemmons	48.0% (±10.2 points)
5	Kernersville	46.0% (±7.4 points)
6	Rural Hall	43.1% (±22.7 points)
7	Tobaccoville	39.2% (±37.1 points)
8	Walkertown	32.2% (±19.7 points)
9	Lewisville	27.8% (±16.6 points)

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Winston-Salem

Are renters in Winston-Salem rent-burdened?

50.7% of renting households in Winston-Salem pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Winston-Salem spend on rent?

The median renting household in Winston-Salem, NC spends 30.4% (±1.2 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Winston-Salem city, North Carolina (place:75000, in state:37).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.