Rank #9 by Population · Updated April 2026
North Carolina Population 2026
The population of North Carolina is 10,584,340 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 9th-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $69,904, the median home value is $259,400, and the median age is 39.1.
North Carolina's population has grown 400.7% since 1910 (2,206,287 → 11,046,024).
10,584,340
Population
218
People / sq mi
$69,904
Median Income
39.1
Median Age
North Carolina covers 48,624 sq mi of land at a density of 217.7 people per square mile.
About North Carolina
North Carolina is a US state with a population of 10,584,340. It ranks #9 among US states by population. The median age is 39.1, in line with the national median. The population is 48.9% male and 51.1% female.
The median household income in North Carolina is $69,904, below the US median of $74,580. 9.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $259,400, with monthly rent averaging $1,162. The homeownership rate of 66.4% is close to the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in North Carolina reflects 34.7% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 14.5% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 25.1 minutes each way.
North Carolina, #9 by population
North Carolina Population History (1910-2024)
The state of North Carolina had a population of 2,206,287 in 1910 and 11,046,024 in 2024, a 5.0× growth over 114 years. The peak was 11,046,024 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.42%.
11,046,024
Population (2024)
2,206,287
Population (1910)
11,046,024
Peak (2024)
1.42%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 2,206,287 |
| 1920 | 2,559,123 |
| 1930 | 3,170,276 |
| 1940 | 3,571,623 |
| 1950 | 4,061,929 |
| 1960 | 4,556,155 |
| 1970 | 5,082,059 |
| 1980 | 5,881,766 |
| 1990 | 6,628,637 |
| 2000 | 8,049,313 |
| 2010 | 9,535,483 |
| 2020 | 10,439,388 |
| 2020 | 10,449,652 |
| 2021 | 10,564,320 |
| 2022 | 10,710,793 |
| 2023 | 10,881,189 |
| 2024 | 11,046,024 |
Age Distribution
Male: 48.9% · Female: 51.1%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 63.3% |
| Black or African American | 20.6% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 1.0% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% |
Economy & Income
$69,904
Median Household Income
$39,616
Per Capita Income
9.4%
Poverty Rate
3.0%
Unemployment Rate
$97,403
Mean Household Income
58.5%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
North Carolina's overall price level is 94.3 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 5.7% lower the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, North Carolina's median household income of $69,904 has the buying power of $74,109 in average-priced areas.
94.3
Price Level (US = 100)
$74,109
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$69,904
Nominal Median Income
Education
89.7%
High School Graduate+
34.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
121,562
Live Births (2022)
11.5
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
59.3%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 66.0% |
| Black or African American | 24.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 18.6% |
Housing
$259,400
Median Home Value
$1,162
Median Rent
4,815,195
Total Housing Units
66.4%
Owner-Occupied
33.6%
Renter-Occupied
13.0%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
87.0% of North Carolina residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in North Carolina:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 346,393 | 3.47% |
| 2 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 16,417 | 0.16% |
| 3 | Vietnamese | 15,622 | 0.16% |
| 4 | Arabic | 10,907 | 0.11% |
| 5 | French (incl. Cajun) | 7,866 | 0.08% |
| 6 | Korean | 7,532 | 0.08% |
| 7 | Other Asian/Pacific | 5,570 | 0.06% |
| 8 | Polish | 5,259 | 0.05% |
| 9 | Gujarati | 5,186 | 0.05% |
| 10 | Telugu | 4,855 | 0.05% |
Commute
0.7%
Drive Alone
1.6%
Carpool
14.5%
Work From Home
25.1 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte | 886,283 |
| 2 | Raleigh | 470,763 |
| 3 | Greensboro | 298,564 |
| 4 | Durham | 288,465 |
| 5 | Winston-Salem | 250,887 |
| 6 | Fayetteville | 209,692 |
| 7 | Cary | 176,686 |
| 8 | Wilmington | 118,578 |
| 9 | High Point | 115,263 |
| 10 | Concord | 106,518 |
| 11 | Asheville | 94,369 |
| 12 | Greenville | 88,540 |
| 13 | Gastonia | 81,632 |
| 14 | Jacksonville | 73,507 |
| 15 | Apex | 67,765 |
| 16 | Huntersville | 62,458 |
| 17 | Chapel Hill | 59,889 |
| 18 | Burlington | 58,599 |
| 19 | Kannapolis | 56,470 |
| 20 | Rocky Mount | 54,175 |
Counties in North Carolina
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wake County | 1,151,009 | $101,763 |
| 2 | Mecklenburg County | 1,130,906 | $83,765 |
| 3 | Guilford County | 542,987 | $66,027 |
| 4 | Forsyth County | 386,740 | $65,541 |
| 5 | Cumberland County | 336,749 | $58,780 |
| 6 | Durham County | 329,405 | $79,501 |
| 7 | Buncombe County | 271,790 | $70,578 |
| 8 | Union County | 244,975 | $99,243 |
| 9 | Gaston County | 231,485 | $65,472 |
| 10 | Cabarrus County | 231,262 | $86,084 |
| 11 | New Hanover County | 231,214 | $72,892 |
| 12 | Johnston County | 226,623 | $79,838 |
| 13 | Onslow County | 208,537 | $64,568 |
| 14 | Iredell County | 191,800 | $78,678 |
| 15 | Alamance County | 174,286 | $64,445 |
| 16 | Pitt County | 172,279 | $58,851 |
| 17 | Davidson County | 171,063 | $62,426 |
| 18 | Catawba County | 162,051 | $64,544 |
| 19 | Rowan County | 148,487 | $63,196 |
| 20 | Orange County | 147,292 | $88,553 |
Compare North Carolina
Rankings for North Carolina
Read more about North Carolina
A complete guide to North Carolina demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
North Carolina Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in North Carolina
Congressional districts in North Carolina
Largest school districts in North Carolina
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
North Carolina has a population of 10,584,340 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 9th-most populous state in the United States.
North Carolina is gaining population, with a +400.7% change over the available historical Census record. North Carolina's population has grown 400.7% since 1910 (2,206,287 → 11,046,024).
The median household income in North Carolina is $69,904, with a per capita income of $39,616. 9.4% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
63.3% of North Carolina's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 20.6% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 2.3% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
North Carolina is 63.3% White, 20.6% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 2.3% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in North Carolina is 39.1 years. The population is 48.9% male and 51.1% female.
North Carolina's population has grown 400.7% since 1910 (2,206,287 → 11,046,024).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. North Carolina's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.