United States >> States >> North Carolina
North Carolina Population Overview (2026 Projection)
North Carolina is a state in the Southeastern United States, bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, South Carolina and Georgia to the south, and Tennessee to the west. It is the ninth-most populous state in the United States and ranks 15th in population density.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, North Carolina recorded a population of 10,439,388 in the 2020 Census. The latest Census population estimate (July 1, 2024) places North Carolina’s population at 11,046,024, reflecting steady growth over the past decade.
Based on recent Census trends, domestic migration, and natural population increase, North Carolina continues to rank among the fastest-growing states in the Southeast.
👉 Projected Population of North Carolina (2026): ~11.3 million
North Carolina Population Growth (2010–2020)
Population growth moderated during 2010–2020, rising by 9.5%, yet North Carolina continues to rank among the fastest-growing states in the Southeastern United States.
North Carolina Census Snapshot (2020)
| Indicators | Data |
| Total Population | 10,439,388 (10.4 million) |
| Median Age | 38.3 years |
| Population Rank | 9th |
| Total Land Area | 48,711 sq mi (126,161 km2) |
| Area Rank | 28th |
| Population Density | 214.6/sq mi (82.9/km2) |
| Capital City | Raleigh |
| Largest City | Charlotte |
North Carolina Historical Population
North Carolina has experienced steady and long-term population growth over the past century. In 1910, the state’s population stood at just 2.2 million, and by 2020 it had grown to over 10.4 million, an increase of more than 8 million people. The strongest growth occurred between 1930 and 2000, with several decades seeing double-digit percentage increases. While population growth slowed slightly in the 2010–2020 decade (9.5%), North Carolina remains one of the fastest-growing states in the southeastern United States.
Decadal Population Change (1910–2020)
| Year | Population | Percentage Change |
| 2020 | 10,439,388 | 9.5 |
| 2010 | 9,535,483 | 18.5 |
| 2000 | 8,049,313 | 21.4 |
| 1990 | 6,628,637 | 12.7 |
| 1980 | 5,881,766 | 15.7 |
| 1970 | 5,082,059 | 11.5 |
| 1960 | 4,556,155 | 12.2 |
| 1950 | 4,061,929 | 13.7 |
| 1940 | 3,571,623 | 12.7 |
| 1930 | 3,170,276 | 23.9 |
| 1920 | 2,559,123 | 16.0 |
| 1910 | 2,206,287 | 16.5 |
Source: US Census Bureau population estimate 2020
North Carolina Demographics (Summary)
Religion in North Carolina (Overview)
Christianity remains the dominant religious affiliation in North Carolina, followed by a growing unaffiliated population.
Christian: ~77%
Protestant: 66%
Roman Catholic: 9%
Unaffiliated: ~20%
Other Religions: ~3%
Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and other smaller faiths
🔗 Read detailed data: Religion in North Carolina
Race and Ethnicity in North Carolina (Overview)
North Carolina has a diverse population with strong representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
White (Non-Hispanic): 60.46% (largest group)
Black or African American: 20.19%
Hispanic or Latino: 10.72%
Two or More Races: 3.90%
Asian: 3.26%
Ancestry in North Carolina (Overview)
North Carolina’s population reflects a mix of European, African, Asian, and Native American ancestries.
American
English
German
Irish
Italian
Additional Highlights
African Americans make up nearly one-quarter of the state’s population
Rapidly growing Asian American communities, especially from India and Vietnam
Home to the largest American Indian population on the East Coast, with about 110,000 people
8 state-recognized tribal nations
🔗 Read detailed data: Race and Ethnicity in North Carolina
Cities and Counties in North Carolina
Charlotte with a population of close to 1 million is the largest city in North Carolina followed by Raleigh and Greensboro. North Carolina has 10 cities with a population of more than 100 thousand.
As of 2022, North Carolina is divided into 100 counties. The most populated counties in North Carolina are Mecklenburg (1,076,837), Wake (1,072,203), and Guilford (526,953) counties.
read more about Cities and Counties in North Carolina
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