North Carolina is a state with a growing stream of new residents to bigger, well-known cities and small towns that many might have previously overlooked. North Carolina’s population grew by 9.5 percent between 2010 and 2020; it increased by 903,905, from 9,535,483 to 10,439,483.
It’s largest counties are
- Wake (1,129,410),
- Mecklenburg (1,115,482),
- Guilford, (541,299),
- Forsyth, (382,590), and
- Cumberland (334,728).
North Carolina has some of the fastest-growing towns in the nation. The U.S. census revealed that within the state, the fastest-growing counties are Johnston at 27.9 percent, Brunswick at 27.2 percent, Cabarrus at 26.8 percent, Wake at 25.4 percent, and Durham at 21.4 percent. Each of the counties grew more than double the state rate.
Most of the growth in North Carolina’s population came from the adult population. The child population only grew by 0.12% over the decade; that’s better than the national numbers, which shrunk by 1.9% in the same period. There are a number of reasons that North Carolina is growing.
It Offers Something for Everyone
Young families, students, professionals, and retirees are moving to NC. That’s because there are plenty of activities and opportunities in the state.
Sports Fans
North Carolina is home to Duke University and the University of North Carolina, two powerhouses in college basketball. Locals are very passionate about the teams, and the rivalry between the two runs deep; when you move into the state, make sure you choose the right team to support.
If you aren’t a fan of sports, be prepared to become one; many NBA legends spent their college years in this state. Beyond indoor sports events, you will also enjoy the various outdoor activities common in the state, like hiking beautiful trails, or floating down the river.
Touring a Tech Hub
Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill form an area that includes Duke University, North Carolina State University, and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill; the area is called the Research Triangle of North Carolina. The Research Triangle is a tech hub for the state’s research and innovative initiatives. Students and tech enthusiasts can find jobs in biotechnology, aerospace, and energy in NC.
It’s Affordable
North Carolina offers an affordable lifestyle, whether you are working, raising a family, or retiring. Housing is substantially cheaper than larger cities; for example, in North Carolina, you can expect to pay.
- $985 for a studio apartment; the national average is $1 050.
- $800 for a one-bedroom apartment; the national average is $1 000.
- $940 for a two-bedroom apartment; the national average is $1 200.
- $1 100 for a three-bedroom apartment; the national average is $1,500.
Furthermore, utilities are 14 percent lower than the national average. Retirees keep more of their money as the state has some of the lowest taxes, including no tax on social security income, making retiring in the state 3.7 percent cheaper on average. You can find all the amenities and health services you need, including a Holly Springs dentist.
It’s Ranked High in Safety
North Carolina is among the safest places to live. The small towns have close-knit communities; most people know each other and look out for one another. Community leaders, including elected ones, are heavily involved in community building.
It’s Diverse
North Carolina towns and cities are considered diverse, especially with the recent population growth. The Bureau changed how it asked people about their ethnicity and gave them a chance to give an ancestry response.
That resulted in many people identifying themselves as multiracial (two or more races). In North Carolina, people that identify as multiracial grew by 161 percent, or an increase of 251,094.
The number of people identifying as Hispanic or Latinx increased the most (318,000), followed by Multiracial (251,000), Asian (133,000), White (88 000), Black (88,000), some other race (31,000), and Pacific Islander (1,700). The number of people identifying only as American Indian decreased by nearly 8,000.
North Carolina’s fastest-growing racial or ethnic group was the population identifying as some other race (207 percent), followed by Multiracial (161 percent), Asian (65 percent), Hispanic (40 percent), Pacific Islander (33 percent), Black (4.3 percent), and White (1.4 percent). The number identifying as American Indian alone decreased by 7 percent.
In total, 60 percent of North Carolina’s residents identified as White, 20 percent as Black or African American, 11 percent as Hispanic or Latinx, 3.9 percent as Multiracial, 3.3 percent as Asian, 1 percent as American Indian, 0.4 percent as some other race, and 0.1 percent as Pacific Islander.
The Growth of North Carolina
As the nation’s ninth-largest state, North Carolina is understandably a popular destination for transplants, especially millennials and younger travelers. It provides a diverse community, opportunities, and a multitude of activities that are attractive not only for travelers, but for anyone to consider settling down in for good.
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