North Carolina

State

Add Comparison

Population

10.4M

1.07% 1-year growth

US Senator

Richard Burr

Republican Party

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

Median Age

38.9

Poverty Rate

15.4%

Median Household Income

$53,855

2.09% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$180,600

5.49% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

4.73M

2.38% 1-year growth

About

In 2018, North Carolina had a population of 10.4M people with a median age of 38.9 and a median household income of $53,855. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of North Carolina grew from 10.3M to 10.4M, a 1.07% increase and its median household income grew from $52,752 to $53,855, a 2.09% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in North Carolina are White (Non-Hispanic) (62.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (21%), White (Hispanic) (5.71%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (2.92%), and Other (Hispanic) (2.9%). 12% of the people in North Carolina speak a non-English language, and 95.2% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in North Carolina are University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (9,254 degrees awarded in 2017), North Carolina State University at Raleigh (9,141 degrees), and University of North Carolina at Charlotte (7,158 degrees).

The median property value in North Carolina is $180,600, and the homeownership rate is 65.1%. Most people in North Carolina commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 23.3 minutes. The average car ownership in North Carolina is 2 cars per household.

North Carolina borders Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Photo by Jeremy Taylor

United States

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in North Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of North Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 49.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (46.2%), followed by Gary Johnson (2.74%). The most partisan county was Graham County, NC with 78.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.8%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (46.2%)
Democratic Party
Gary Johnson (2.74%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for North Carolina

49.8% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in North Carolina

Graham County, NC
78.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Yadkin County, NC
78.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Durham County, NC
77.7% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in North Carolina was Graham County, NC with 78.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in North Carolina colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from North Carolina

Richard Burr

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2005

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

North Carolina is home to a population of 10.4M people, from which 95.2% are citizens. As of 2018, 7.7% of North Carolina residents were born outside of the country (800k people).

In 2018, there were 2.98 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (6.51M people) in North Carolina than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.18M Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 593k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common foreign languages spoken in North Carolina are Spanish (761,108 speakers), Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) (43,423 speakers), and French (Incl. Cajun) (27,652 speakers).

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in North Carolina

White (Non-Hispanic)
6.51M ± 4.1k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
2.18M ± 10.8k
White (Hispanic)
593k ± 17.8k

9.59%

Hispanic Population

996k people

9.59% of the people in North Carolina are hispanic (996k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in North Carolina as a share of the total population.

Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

Spanish
761,108 speakers (7.78%)
Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese)
43,423 speakers (0.444%)
French (Incl. Cajun)
27,652 speakers (0.283%)

12% of North Carolina citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is lower than the national average of 21.9%. In 2018, the most common non-English language spoken in North Carolina was Spanish. 7.78% of the overall population of North Carolina are native Spanish speakers. 0.444% speak Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) and 0.283% speak Spanish, the next two most common languages.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

7.7%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

800k people

7.67%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

788k people

As of 2018, 7.7% of North Carolina residents (800k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in North Carolina was 7.67%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in North Carolina compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.4

In 2018, the median age of all people in North Carolina was 38.9. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 39, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in North Carolina are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all North Carolina residents was 39.

Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

Mexico
229,977 ± 11,643 people
India
71,606 ± 6,547 people
Honduras
31,466 ± 4,348 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 229,977 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 71,606 and Honduras with 31,466.

Citizenship

95.2%

2018 Citizenship

95%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 95.2% of North Carolina residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in North Carolina was 95%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in North Carolina compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
208,278 ± 5,585
Gulf War (2001-)
161,466 ± 7,387
Gulf War (1990s)
107,369 ± 5,229

North Carolina has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.29 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in North Carolina is $53,855. In 2018, the county with the highest Median Household Income in North Carolina was Union County, NC with a value of $80,337, followed by Wake County, NC and Chatham County, NC, with respective values of $79,970 and $74,959.

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.32 times higher than the average income of females, which is $47,552. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of North Carolina employs 4.73M people. The largest industries in North Carolina are Restaurants & Food Services (338,958 people), Construction (285,265 people), and Elementary & secondary schools (260,416 people), and the highest paying industries are Agricultural chemical manufacturing ($120,758), Securities, commodities, funds, trusts & other financial investments ($112,280), and Support activities for mining ($107,730).

Wages

Median Household Income

$53,855

2018 value

± $573

2.09%

1 Year Growth

± 1.41%

Households in North Carolina have a median annual income of $53,855, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $52,752 in 2017, which represents a 2.09% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in North Carolina compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

$62,551

Average Male Salary in North Carolina

± $1,091

$47,552

Average Female Salary in North Carolina

± $846

In 2018, full-time male employees in North Carolina made 1.32 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in North Carolina

Asian
$66,551 ± $4,420
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$53,592 ± $28,568
White
$52,871 ± $810

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of North Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.24 times more than Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in North Carolina.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

0.47

2018 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.473

2017 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2018, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.556% decline from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2018, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in North Carolina was Union County, NC with a value of $80,337, followed by Wake County, NC and Chatham County, NC, with respective values of $79,970 and $74,959.

The following map shows all of the counties in North Carolina colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

15.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in North Carolina (1.52M out of 9.88M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
823,258 ± 6,836
Black
493,496 ± 5,374
Hispanic
260,607 ± 3,786

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in North Carolina is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

4.73M

2018 Value

2.38%

1 Year growth

± 2.38%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in North Carolina grew at a rate of 2.38%, from 4.62M employees to 4.73M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in North Carolina, are Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (122,051 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (119,795 people), and Other managers (117,581 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of North Carolina.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of North Carolina, by number of employees, are Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (122,051 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (119,795 people), and Other managers (117,581 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other states, North Carolina has an unusually high number of residents working as Textile machine setters, operators, and tenders (6.23 times higher than expected), Upholsterers (4.99 times), and Adhesive bonding machine operators & tenders (4.68 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of North Carolina, by average salary, are Surgeons ($315,093), Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists ($283,350), and Physicians ($218,230).

Industries

Employment by Industries

4.73M

2018 Value

2.38%

1 Year growth

± 2.38%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in North Carolina grew at a rate of 2.38%, from 4.62M employees to 4.73M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in North Carolina, are Restaurants & Food Services (338,958 people), Construction (285,265 people), and Elementary & secondary schools (260,416 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of North Carolina, though some of these residents may live in North Carolina and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in North Carolina, by number of employees, are Restaurants & Food Services (338,958 people), Construction (285,265 people), and Elementary & secondary schools (260,416 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other states, North Carolina has an unusually high number of Fiber, yarn, & thread mills (16.2 times higher than expected), Knitting fabric mills, & apparel knitting mills (12.5 times), and Tobacco manufacturing (11.2 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in North Carolina, by average salary, are Agricultural chemical manufacturing ($120,758), Securities, commodities, funds, trusts & other financial investments ($112,280), and Support activities for mining ($107,730).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $50.4B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($35.3B) and Machinery ($34.5B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$407B

2015 Value in North Carolina

$632B

Projected 2045 Value in North Carolina

55.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound North Carolina trade was $407B. This is expected to increase 55.4% to $632B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$25.6B
Georgia
$25.4B
Virginia
$25.2B

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $25.6B, followed by Georgia with $25.4B and Virginia and $25.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Education

In 2017, universities in North Carolina awarded 149,666 degrees. The student population of North Carolina is skewed towards women, with 236,848 male students and 333,291 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in North Carolina are White (89,481 and 62.4%), followed by Black or African American (28,290 and 19.7%), Hispanic or Latino (9,731 and 6.78%), and Unknown (5,979 and 4.17%).

The largest universities in North Carolina by number of degrees awarded are University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (9,254 and 6.18%), North Carolina State University at Raleigh (9,141 and 6.11%), and University of North Carolina at Charlotte (7,158 and 4.78%).

The most popular majors in North Carolina are Liberal Arts & Sciences (13,544 and 9.05%), General Business Administration & Management (11,753 and 7.85%), and Registered Nursing (5,656 and 3.78%).

The median tuition costs in North Carolina are $27,818 for private four year colleges, and $4,047 and $17,877 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
4,944 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
3,559 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
3,266 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in North Carolina was General Business Administration & Management with 4,944 degree-majorss awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in North Carolina according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
9,254 degrees awarded
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
9,141 degrees awarded
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
7,158 degrees awarded

$4,047

Median In-State Public

$27,818

Median Private

In 2017, the North Carolina institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with 9,254 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

63,083

Degrees Awarded to Men

86,583

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 63,083 men were awarded degrees from institutions in North Carolina, which is 0.729 times less than the 86,583 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in North Carolina by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
89,481 degrees awarded
Black or African American
28,290 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
9,731 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in North Carolina were to White students. These 89,481 degrees mean that there were 3.16 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 28,290 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in North Carolina was $180,600 in 2018, which is 0.786 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $171,200 to $180,600, a 5.49% increase. The homeownership rate in North Carolina is 65.1%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in North Carolina have an average commute time of 23.3 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in North Carolina is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$180,600

2018 Median

± $1,360

$171,200

2017 Median

± $1,016

In 2018, the median property value in North Carolina grew to to $180,600 from the previous year's value of $171,200.

The following charts display, first, the property values in North Carolina compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In North Carolina the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$53,855

Median Household Income

± $573

4.01M

Number of Households

± 33,489

In 2018, the median household income of the 4.01M households in North Carolina grew to $53,855 from the previous year's value of $52,752.

The following chart displays the households in North Carolina distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in North Carolina distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In North Carolina the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

Rent vs Own

65.1%

2018 Homeownership

65.4%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 65.1% of the housing units in North Carolina were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 65.4%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in North Carolina compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

23.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in North Carolina have a shorter commute time (23.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 1.96% of the workforce in North Carolina have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in North Carolina compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
80.6%
Carpooled
9.31%
Worked At Home
6.03%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in North Carolina was Drove Alone (80.6%), followed by those who Carpooled (9.31%) and those who Worked At Home (6.03%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in North Carolina distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in North Carolina have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

Health

89.3% of the population of North Carolina has health coverage, with 44.7% on employee plans, 15.8% on Medicaid, 11.9% on Medicare, 14% on non-group plans, and 2.98% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in North Carolina was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see 1417 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.496% increase from the previous year (1410 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1829 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 464 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Edgecombe County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (16.2%). Additionally, Hertford County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (40.5%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,417 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in North Carolina

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see an average of 1,417 patients per year. This represents a 0.496% increase from the previous year (1,410 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in North Carolina in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

$7,264

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in North Carolina

$3,859

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,225

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,260

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in North Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.37%, from $7,027 to $7,264.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

10.7%

Uninsured

44.7%

Employer Coverage

15.8%

Medicaid

11.9%

Medicare

14%

Non-Group

2.98%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in North Carolina grew by 2.46% from 10.4% to 10.7%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in North Carolina changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.