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North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, North Carolina has a total population of 10,584,340, with a median household income of $69,904, which is 11% lower the national average. The poverty rate is 13.2%.

North Carolina Quick Facts

Population 10,584,340
Median Household Income $69,904
Median Home Value $259,400
Poverty Rate 13.2%
Unemployment Rate 4.8%
Median Age 39.1 years
Homeownership Rate 66.4%
Affordability Ratio 3.7x
Bachelor's Degree+ 34.7%
High School Graduation 89.8%
Counties 100
Cities/Places 774
Population 10,584,340
Median Income $69,904 11% lower national
Poverty Rate 13.2%
Unemployment 4.8%

Economy & Housing

Employment

4.8% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8% | National: 5.2%
62.7% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 66.4%
Renter 33.6%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.7x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

57out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 57 | National average: 60

Education

Largest Cities in North Carolina

#CityPopulationMedian IncomePoverty
1Charlotte city886,283$78,43811.7%
2Raleigh city470,763$82,42411.4%
3Greensboro city298,564$58,88418.4%
4Durham city288,465$79,23412.2%
5Winston-Salem city250,887$57,67317.9%
6Fayetteville city209,692$56,39518.1%
7Cary town176,686$129,3995.3%
8Wilmington city118,578$63,90016.3%
9High Point city115,263$61,22814.7%
10Concord city106,518$84,7528.6%

Richest Cities in North Carolina

#CityMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+
1Marvin village$250,001$860,60079.7%
2Governors Club CDP$214,643$908,50077.6%
3Weddington town$196,159$730,20065.9%
4Lake Norman of Iredell CDP$194,519$839,90066.7%
5Biltmore Forest town$172,500$1,249,00085.3%
6Wrightsville Beach town$167,273$1,041,80071.7%
7Briar Chapel CDP$154,583$508,30079.4%
8Davidson town$152,969$626,00075.6%
9Summerfield town$151,131$490,10059.4%
10Rolesville town$148,250$467,40066.5%

Most Affordable Cities in North Carolina

By home-value-to-income ratio (lower = more affordable). Min. population 1,000.

#CityRatioHome ValueIncome
1La Grange town1.6x$78,500$49,475
2Bladenboro town1.6x$89,800$55,517
3Magnolia town1.9x$76,900$40,156
4South Rosemary CDP1.9x$84,100$43,478
5Faith town1.9x$249,800$128,274
6Stedman town2.0x$205,800$105,491
7Robersonville town2.0x$85,900$43,359
8Princeville town2.0x$99,100$49,583
9Spring Lake town2.0x$101,300$50,497
10Robbins town2.1x$102,900$50,023

Explore North Carolina Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

All Counties in North Carolina (100)

100 results
City ↕Population ↓Median Income ↕Poverty ↕Home Value ↕
Wake County1,151,009$101,7637.9%$422,800
Mecklenburg County1,130,906$83,76510.4%$371,200
Guilford County542,987$66,02715.2%$234,900
Forsyth County386,740$65,54114.7%$227,800
Cumberland County336,749$58,78017.2%$183,700
Durham County329,405$79,50112.0%$351,700
Buncombe County271,790$70,57811.8%$360,000
Union County244,975$99,2437.7%$374,400
Gaston County231,485$65,47212.8%$235,000
Cabarrus County231,262$86,0848.9%$318,600
New Hanover County231,214$72,89212.4%$353,700
Johnston County226,623$79,83811.2%$267,600
Onslow County208,537$64,56811.7%$219,500
Iredell County191,800$78,6789.1%$292,300
Alamance County174,286$64,44514.1%$221,200
Pitt County172,279$58,85119.4%$194,300
Davidson County171,063$62,42613.8%$200,100
Catawba County162,051$64,54412.8%$218,100
Rowan County148,487$63,19615.8%$216,100
Orange County147,292$88,55312.4%$428,500
Brunswick County145,889$74,0349.4%$314,700
Randolph County145,322$59,04714.8%$171,600
Harnett County136,503$69,01214.5%$220,700
Wayne County117,606$58,08216.9%$162,700
Henderson County117,387$67,62311.7%$317,800
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All Cities & Places in North Carolina (774)

774 results
City ↕Population ↓Median Income ↕Poverty ↕Home Value ↕
Charlotte city886,283$78,43811.7%$351,500
Raleigh city470,763$82,42411.4%$377,800
Greensboro city298,564$58,88418.4%$221,300
Durham city288,465$79,23412.2%$355,300
Winston-Salem city250,887$57,67317.9%$208,200
Fayetteville city209,692$56,39518.1%$171,900
Cary town176,686$129,3995.3%$525,200
Wilmington city118,578$63,90016.3%$350,300
High Point city115,263$61,22814.7%$212,400
Concord city106,518$84,7528.6%$327,600
Asheville city94,369$67,22114.6%$411,000
Greenville city88,540$50,56424.5%$213,100
Gastonia city81,632$60,55414.3%$250,000
Jacksonville city73,507$54,06913.5%$191,700
Apex town67,765$138,4422.6%$514,800
Huntersville town62,458$119,9513.5%$439,300
Chapel Hill town59,889$85,82519.6%$576,500
Burlington city58,599$54,94118.0%$188,700
Kannapolis city56,470$70,69112.2%$245,500
Rocky Mount city54,175$52,92721.2%$148,300
Mooresville town51,447$88,5927.6%$348,500
Wake Forest town51,199$120,7772.9%$435,000
Wilson city47,740$47,29425.1%$192,000
Hickory city43,747$63,36117.0%$248,300
Holly Springs town43,429$132,4354.4%$485,500
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Download North Carolina Data

Free CSV downloads of North Carolina demographic data — no account or payment required.

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Cities Data (CSV) All cities: population, income, housing, race, education
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Counties Data (CSV) All counties: population, income, housing, race, education

Population Overview

North Carolina has a total population of 10,584,340, making it one of the most populous state in the nation. The median age is 39.1 years, 1% higher the national median of 38.7 years.

Age Demographics

The median age in North Carolina is 39.1 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 38.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in North Carolina is $69,904. This is 11% lower than the state median of $78,538. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 11% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.2%. This is 6% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.4%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 5.2%. The median home value is $259,400. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $303,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 66.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 65.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in North Carolina is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 20.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (20.3% vs 12.0%).

Education

34.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about average than the state rate of 35.0%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.8%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of North Carolina?

North Carolina has a total population of 10,584,340 according to the U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median income in North Carolina?

The median household income in North Carolina is $69,904, which is 11% lower the national median of $78,538.

How many cities are in North Carolina?

North Carolina has 774 Census-designated places (cities, towns, and CDPs) and 100 counties.

What is the poverty rate in North Carolina?

The poverty rate in North Carolina is 13.2%, compared to the national average of 12.4%.

What is the largest city in North Carolina?

The largest city in North Carolina is Charlotte city with a population of 886,283.