The population of North Carolina in 2025 is estimated to be approximately 10,975,000, reflecting a healthy growth rate of 1.13%, ranking 14th in the nation for population growth. The state has shown consistent and substantial growth over the years according to the World Population Review.
For context, during the 2010 U.S. Census, North Carolinaโs population was reported at 9,535,483, marking an 18.5% increase from the 2000 census figures.
Several states, including Virginia to the north, South Carolina and Georgia to the south, and Tennessee to the west. Additionally, its eastern boundary meets the Atlantic Ocean, providing a mix of coastal and inland population dynamics.
Key Takeaways
- North Carolinaโs population reached 10.97 million in 2025, growing at 1.13% annually, ranking 14th in the U.S.
- The median home price rose 2.6% to $374,000, while the housing supply increased by 15.7% year-over-year.
- Top contributors to population growth include domestic migration (75%) and international migration (20%).
- Median household income in North Carolina is $66,186, 12% lower than the U.S. median.
- The stateโs largest racial group is White (66.22%), followed by Black or African American (21.16%).
- Youth dependency is 27.5 dependents per 100 workers, with a total dependency ratio of 53.0.
Population Density, and Urban Growth
North Carolinaโs population growth is spreading out across the state beyond the larger cities. https://t.co/JY7Pi1ljIz
โ Triangle Business Journal (@TriangleBIZJrnl) January 4, 2025
Located on the East Coast of the United States, North Carolina ranks as the 28th largest state by area but stands out for its relatively high population density. Despite its modest size, the stateโs population density positions it as the 15th most densely populated state in the nation.
- Total Area: 53,819 square miles (139,390 square kilometers)
- Population Density: 196 people per square mile
North Carolinaโs urban areas significantly contribute to this density. As of 2016, the state hosts three major Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) with populations exceeding 1.6 million:
- Metrolina (Charlotte โ Gastonia โ Salisbury, NC-SC): Population 2.38 million
- The Triangle (Raleigh โ Durham โ Chapel Hill, NC): Population 1.8 million
- The Triad (Greensboro โ Winston-Salem โ High Point, NC): Population 1.5 million
Charlotte is the largest city in the state, with a population of 827,097. Over the last three decades, North Carolina has transitioned from a historically rural area to a more urbanized state. Today, the majority of its residents live in urban or suburban regions.
Age Structure
According to the 2018โ2022 ACS 5-Year Estimates, the median age in North Carolina is 39.1 years. The population distribution by age group is as follows:
Population Pyramid Statistics for North Carolina
The population pyramid of North Carolina reveals key demographic trends:
- A youth dependency ratio of 27.5 indicates that for every 100 individuals of working age (15โ64), there are approximately 27.5 children aged 0โ14, suggesting a moderate level of youth dependency.
- An old-age dependency ratio of 25.5 highlights that for every 100 working-age individuals, there are about 25.5 elderly people (65+), pointing to a significant aging population.
- The total dependency ratio of 53.0 reflects the combined dependency burden, indicating that there are about 53 dependents (youth and elderly) for every 100 working-age individuals.
- The potential support ratio of 3.9 suggests there are approximately 3.9 working-age individuals for every elderly person, highlighting the workforceโs capacity to support the aging population.
Race and Ethnicity
The largest racial group in North Carolina is White, making up 66.22% of the population according to the Neilsberg article.
The Black or African American population accounts for 21.16%, making it the second-largest racial group.
Smaller but notable segments include Two or More Races (4.83%), Asian (3.04%), and Some Other Race (3.59%).
The American Indian and Alaska Native population comprises 1.10%, while the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander group is the smallest, at 0.07%.
Migration Patterns
North Carolina experienced significant population growth between July 2021 and July 2022, driven by a combination of domestic migration, international migration, and natural growth. The state added a total of 133,088 new residents during this period, marking a growth rate of 1.3%, which is among the fastest in the United States according to government sources.
Net domestic migration was the largest contributor, with nearly 100,000 residents relocating from other states. This accounted for 75% of the total population growth and reflects the stateโs strong appeal due to its business climate, affordable living, and quality of life.
International migration also played a significant role, adding 26,000 new residents, which more than doubled the previous yearโs figure.
This indicates a return to pre-pandemic migration levels as global travel and movement resumed. Natural population growth, with around 6,000 more births than deaths, contributed modestly to the total increase.
Population Projections
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North Carolina is positioned to become the seventh most populated state by the early 2030s. This projection is based on data indicating significant population growth reaching approximately 11.7 million by 2030. The state demographerโs projections use past census data to forecast trends reliably.
Mecklenburg and Wake Counties are particularly significant contributors to this growth, each with populations exceeding one million. The aging population, with a median age of about 38.3 years, continues to shape the demographics. This trend emphasizes a need for resources and services catering to different age groups.
Population By Counties 2024
| County Name | Population | County Name | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake County | 1,209,772 | Mecklenburg County | 1,183,327 |
| Guilford County | 553,275 | Forsyth County | 396,181 |
| Durham County | 340,492 | Cumberland County | 338,999 |
| Buncombe County | 278,012 | Union County | 263,732 |
| Johnston County | 249,008 | Cabarrus County | 244,123 |
| New Hanover County | 241,920 | Gaston County | 240,514 |
| Onslow County | 218,321 | Iredell County | 203,546 |
| Alamance County | 181,712 | Davidson County | 177,228 |
| Pitt County | 176,628 | Brunswick County | 167,020 |
| Catawba County | 166,123 | Rowan County | 153,649 |
| Orange County | 150,999 | Randolph County | 148,720 |
| Harnett County | 144,476 | Henderson County | 120,162 |
| Wayne County | 119,923 | Robeson County | 118,264 |
| Moore County | 108,305 | Craven County | 103,695 |
| Cleveland County | 102,103 | Lincoln County | 98,242 |
| Nash County | 97,282 | Rockingham County | 93,070 |
| Burke County | 88,704 | Chatham County | 83,309 |
| Caldwell County | 80,801 | Wilson County | 79,634 |
| Franklin County | 79,602 | Surry County | 71,442 |
| Pender County | 71,344 | Carteret County | 69,904 |
| Lee County | 68,575 | Stanly County | 67,167 |
| Wilkes County | 66,235 | Rutherford County | 66,069 |
| Haywood County | 63,323 | Granville County | 62,682 |
| Sampson County | 60,175 | Lenoir County | 55,291 |
| Hoke County | 55,201 | Watauga County | 54,483 |
| Columbus County | 50,167 | Duplin County | 50,106 |
| Edgecombe County | 49,275 | Halifax County | 46,885 |
| Stokes County | 45,928 | Jackson County | 45,226 |
| Davie County | 45,083 | McDowell County | 45,031 |
| Beaufort County | 44,562 | Vance County | 42,448 |
| Richmond County | 42,075 | Pasquotank County | 41,720 |
| Person County | 40,131 | Macon County | 38,855 |
| Dare County | 38,233 | Yadkin County | 38,041 |
| Alexander County | 36,630 | Scotland County | 34,402 |
| Transylvania County | 33,725 | Currituck County | 32,178 |
| Cherokee County | 30,459 | Bladen County | 29,577 |
| Ashe County | 27,064 | Montgomery County | 26,329 |
| Caswell County | 23,183 | Madison County | 22,261 |
| Anson County | 21,836 | Martin County | 21,416 |
| Greene County | 20,693 | Polk County | 20,108 |
| Hertford County | 19,272 | Yancey County | 19,108 |
| Warren County | 18,995 | Avery County | 17,581 |
| Bertie County | 16,776 | Northampton County | 16,603 |
| Mitchell County | 14,950 | Swain County | 13,896 |
| Chowan County | 13,884 | Perquimans County | 13,533 |
| Pamlico County | 12,612 | Clay County | 12,113 |
| Alleghany County | 11,491 | Camden County | 11,184 |
| Washington County | 10,650 | Gates County | 10,316 |
| Jones County | 9,583 | Graham County | 8,072 |
| Hyde County | 4,558 | Tyrrell County | 3,449 |
Employment Rates
North Carolina saw a rise in job openings in September 2024, increasing by 23,000 positions from August, reaching 279,000.
Hires experienced a slight decline of 2,000, while total separations increased significantly by 33,000, driven by a sharp rise in layoffs and discharges (+24,000) according to the BLS.
Quits also rose by 8,000, indicating a higher voluntary turnover during the period.
Job Openings and Labor Turnover Rates for North Carolina (Seasonally Adjusted)
The job openings rate in North Carolina rebounded in September 2024, climbing to 5.3% from 4.8% in August.
The total separations rate also increased by 0.6 percentage points, reaching 3.3%, mainly due to a rise in layoffs and discharges, which saw a notable increase in their rate from 0.8% to 1.3%.
The quits rate showed a modest rise, reflecting slightly increased voluntary workforce mobility.
Job Openings and Labor Turnover Rates for the United States (Seasonally Adjusted)
Nationally, the job openings rate fell slightly from 4.7% in August to 4.5% in September 2024. While the hires rate improved marginally, the quits rate dropped to 1.9%, indicating fewer voluntary job transitions.
Layoffs and discharges increased, pushing their rate up by 0.2 percentage points to 1.2%.
This reflects a mixed labor market at the national level, with fewer openings but slightly higher hiring activity.
Housing Market Trends
| Metric | Value | Year-Over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $374,000 | +2.6% |
| # of Homes Sold | 10,579 | -2.5% |
| Median Days on Market | 49 days | +10 days |
The housing market in North Carolina shows moderate growth in home prices, with the median sale price increasing by 2.6% year-over-year to $374,000 according to Redfin.
However, the number of homes sold decreased by 2.5%, reflecting possible affordability concerns or buyer caution.
Median days on the market rose by 10 days, indicating homes are taking longer to sell compared to the previous year.
Top 10 Metros in North Carolina with Fastest-Growing Sales Prices
Metros such as Wilson, Elizabeth City, and Eden have seen the highest year-over-year growth in sales prices, with Wilson leading at 40.7%. These areas are experiencing significant demand, potentially driven by migration patterns, economic developments, or affordability compared to larger metro areas.
North Carolina Housing Supply
| Metric | Value | Year-Over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| # of Homes for Sale | 50,821 | +15.7% |
| # of Newly Listed Homes | 11,638 | -2.1% |
| Months of Supply | 4 | No change |
The number of homes for sale increased significantly by 15.7% year-over-year, reflecting an expanding housing inventory. However, the number of newly listed homes decreased by 2.1%, indicating that while the overall supply is growing, new listings are not keeping pace. The months of supply remain unchanged at 4, signaling a balanced market where neither buyers nor sellers dominate.
North Carolina Housing Demand
Demand in the North Carolina housing market is softening. Only 18.6% of homes sold above the list price, a decline of 5 percentage points year-over-year.
Homes with price drops rose to 24%, reflecting sellers adjusting expectations in response to market conditions. The sale-to-list price ratio dipped slightly to 98%, indicating homes are selling closer to their listed price but with minimal competition pushing prices higher.
Educational Attainment Levels
Statistical Atlas notes that among residents aged 25 years and older in North Carolina, nearly half (48.2%) hold a high school diploma as their highest level of education, while 38.1% have earned a post-secondary degree.
Approximately 13.7% of this population does not have a high school diploma.
This distribution highlights the prominence of secondary education attainment in the state, although there remains a notable portion without a high school diploma.
Income Levels
The average and median household incomes in North Carolina are 12% lower than the national averages, indicating a slightly less affluent population compared to the U.S. overall. However, the poverty threshold remains consistent with national standards.
Richest North Carolina Zip Codes
| Rank | Zip Code | Population | Mean Income | Median Household Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28207 | 9,461 | $389,928 | $217,656 |
| 2 | 27608 | 12,069 | $213,819 | $148,261 |
| 3 | 28211 | 32,050 | $211,706 | $119,805 |
| 4 | 28480 | 2,899 | $185,809 | $121,417 |
| 5 | 28173 | 62,501 | $184,488 | $144,544 |
| 6 | 28036 | 21,492 | $184,234 | $133,676 |
| 7 | 28226 | 38,475 | $184,053 | $116,220 |
| 8 | 27519 | 66,046 | $181,530 | $154,632 |
| 9 | 27310 | 8,571 | $176,544 | $154,750 |
| 10 | 28031 | 30,324 | $175,817 | $111,823 |
Income By Zip Code notes that the wealthiest zip code in North Carolina is 28207, with an average household income of $389,928 and a median household income of $217,656. Many of the richest zip codes are located in major metropolitan areas or affluent suburbs, reflecting concentrated wealth in these regions.
North Carolina Salary Data
Full-time workers in North Carolina earn an average salary of $71,347, while the median salary is significantly lower at $51,452. The gap between the average and median reflects the influence of higher earners skewing the average upward.
North Carolina Individual Incomes
The median income for single-person households in North Carolina is $35,022, slightly below the per capita income of $37,641. The relatively low figures for individual incomes reflect North Carolinaโs broader income distribution and a significant portion of the population earning below-average wages.
Methodology
- Data for population, migration, and housing trends were sourced from government reports like the U.S. Census and BLS.
- Income and salary data were obtained from the 2022 ACS 5-Year Estimates and supplemental state reports.
- Educational attainment and racial demographics were analyzed using statistical atlas summaries.
- Zip code income statistics were pulled from the latest census datasets to ensure regional accuracy.
- Housing trends were examined using Redfin market analyses for November 2024.
- All data were cross-referenced for consistency and summarized for easy comprehension.
References
- World Population Review โ North Carolina Population 2024
- Statistical Atlas โ Educational Attainment in North Carolina
- Neilsberg โ North Carolina Population by Age
- Neilsberg โ North Carolina Population by Race
- NC Office of State Budget and Management โ NC to Become 7th Most Populated State by Early 2030s
- BLS Southeast News Release โ Job Openings and Labor Turnover in North Carolina
- Redfin โ North Carolina Housing Market
- Income by Zip Code โ Richest Zip Codes in North Carolina
