When it comes to the demographics of Winston-Salem, it is not uncommon to see large numbers of residents of color - especially in the East End. Several census tracts in the city have been deemed racially or ethnically concentrated areas of poverty. These neighborhoods often lack basic community amenities, including public transportation, and are disproportionately composed of low-income residents. In addition, the city's housing inventory is dominated by substandard rental properties, mainly owned by a small group of wealthy investors.
The population of Winston-Salem is largely millennials and older, with a higher percentage of people in the computer and math fields than in any other sector. While the city has a relatively small population of young singles, it does have a large percentage of young adults and upwardly mobile career starters. While it is not a big city, it is a good place for friends to form.
The city's wards are composed of eight districts. In 2020, these districts had populations within 5% of the ideal, and only 2% of them were below that number. Although these figures are subject to bias, the city has made strides toward increasing its overall population. The city now has more than 242,125 residents, which is a 0.57% increase over the previous year. By comparison, Charlotte and Raleigh combined have a growth rate of over 6% annually.
The city's housing inventory is comprised of over 6,000 vacant properties, the vast majority located in the east and northeast wards. These properties are not only unlivable, but they depress the overall value of other houses and raise crime rates. The city's median household income is $19,861, and it is estimated that 79.6% of Winston-Salem residents are black.