state record · population
Population of North Carolina
North Carolina had an estimated population of 11,046,024 on July 1, 2024, according to the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program.
What stands out
North Carolina had an estimated population of 11,046,024 on July 1, 2024, according to the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program. Since July 2020 that is +5.7 % (596,372 people); since 2010 it is +15.4 %. Migration is the larger driver since 2020: net migration +564,430 against a natural change (births minus deaths) of +29,582. Among the 51 states in the United States, it ranks 9 by population. Values for 2010–2019 and 2020–2024 come from two estimate vintages benchmarked to different censuses; the 2019→2020 step is partly a rebasing.
Population and components of change
July 1 estimates; components per estimate year (July–June).
Largest counties in North Carolina
By latest estimate, with change since July 2020. Each links to the county's own population record.
| County | Population | Since 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Wake County | 1,232,444 | +9.0 % |
| Mecklenburg County | 1,206,285 | +8.1 % |
| Guilford County | 558,816 | +3.7 % |
| Forsyth County | 398,143 | +4.0 % |
| Durham County | 343,628 | +6.6 % |
| Cumberland County | 338,430 | +0.4 % |
| Buncombe County | 279,210 | +3.5 % |
| Union County | 263,386 | +9.9 % |
| Johnston County | 249,794 | +14.9 % |
| Cabarrus County | 244,925 | +7.8 % |
| New Hanover County | 243,333 | +7.5 % |
| Gaston County | 242,010 | +5.8 % |
| Onslow County | 212,954 | +3.8 % |
| Iredell County | 206,361 | +9.9 % |
| Alamance County | 183,040 | +6.6 % |
| Pitt County | 180,783 | +4.1 % |
| Davidson County | 177,809 | +5.2 % |
| Brunswick County | 167,112 | +21.0 % |
| Catawba County | 167,054 | +3.8 % |
| Rowan County | 153,384 | +4.4 % |
| Orange County | 152,877 | +6.4 % |
| Randolph County | 148,389 | +2.8 % |
| Harnett County | 146,096 | +9.3 % |
| Henderson County | 120,771 | +3.6 % |
| Wayne County | 120,338 | +2.2 % |
Largest cities and towns in North Carolina
Incorporated places, latest estimate. The Census Bureau publishes totals only for places, no components.
| Place | Population | Since 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte city | 943,476 | +7.8 % |
| Raleigh city | 499,825 | +7.3 % |
| Greensboro city | 307,381 | +3.9 % |
| Durham city | 301,870 | +7.2 % |
| Winston-Salem city | 255,769 | +2.6 % |
| Fayetteville city | 209,496 | -0.7 % |
| Cary town | 182,659 | +4.5 % |
| Wilmington city | 125,284 | +8.1 % |
| High Point city | 118,601 | +3.3 % |
| Concord city | 112,395 | +7.1 % |
| Greenville city | 95,138 | +4.6 % |
| Asheville city | 94,992 | +0.7 % |
| Gastonia city | 85,535 | +6.2 % |
| Apex town | 75,977 | +16.5 % |
| Jacksonville city | 70,840 | -3.3 % |
| Huntersville town | 67,087 | +8.9 % |
| Chapel Hill town | 64,028 | +12.3 % |
| Burlington city | 61,365 | +6.6 % |
| Kannapolis city | 60,521 | +9.3 % |
| Wake Forest town | 56,764 | +14.2 % |
| Rocky Mount city | 54,541 | +0.3 % |
| Mooresville town | 52,884 | +4.6 % |
| Holly Springs town | 48,674 | +17.1 % |
| Wilson city | 48,579 | +0.2 % |
| Fuquay-Varina town | 46,317 | +34.0 % |
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