North Carolina Population Statistics: Density Map Data
Analyze population trends, housing costs, and the local economy by exploring Map AI.
State Snapshot Statistics
Key statistics on population, economy, housing, and commuting compared to national averages. Explore interactive maps for deeper analysis.
Population
| Metric | North Carolina | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,790,063 | 334,821,731 |
| Population density (per sq mi) | 200.3 | 85.8 |
| Population growth (%/yr) | 0.90% | 0.57% |
| Median age | 37.6 | 37.1 |
| Households | 4,184,344 | 128,459,983 |
Population in North Carolina grew by 16.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching 10,581,497 in 2023.
Population Growth 2009–2023
Race & Ethnicity
Economy
North Carolina has a the economy index of C, which means it is somewhat prosperous.
| Metric | North Carolina | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $69,937 | $78,145 |
| Income growth (%/yr) | 5.43% | 5.07% |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 5.2% |
The median household income in North Carolina is about 11% lower than in US.
Housing
| Metric | North Carolina | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $265,624 | $242,182 |
| Median rent | $1,162 | $1,342 |
| Homeownership rate | 66.4% | 65.1% |
The median home price in North Carolina is about 19.1 years' worth of rent — buying at the median price costs roughly as much as paying the median rent of $1,162 per month for that long.
Commute Time & Mobility
Commuters in North Carolina spend about 44 minutes on the road round trip each working day. Over a typical 250-day work year, that adds up to roughly 182 hours, about 7.6 full days, spent commuting.
| Metric | North Carolina | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|
| One-way commute (min) | 21.8 | 22.5 |
| Round-trip commute (min) | 43.6 | 44.9 |
| Yearly time spent (hours) | 182 | 187 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $5,630 | $5,803 |
| Work from home | 14.5% | 13.4% |
| Highway traffic (vehicles/day) | 8,330 | 8,813 |
| Local road traffic (vehicles/day) | 1,609 | 1,355 |
Fastest commutes among counties in
North Carolina:
Macon County (17.1 min), Dare County (17.2 min), Graham County (17.2 min).
Slowest:
Gates County (36.3 min), Currituck County (33.6 min), Franklin County (32.4 min).
The average commute time in North Carolina is about the same as in US.
Estimated yearly cost applies a single national wage rule of thumb (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average hourly earnings), not a measurement of wages in this area. Traffic volume figures come from proprietary Ticon and TrafficZoom data.
Education & Households
North Carolina has a education index of C, which means it is somewhat educated.
| Metric | North Carolina | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.1% | 31.6% |
| Average household size | 2.46 | 2.54 |
Highest education index among counties in
North Carolina:
Orange County (0.5), Wake County (0.4), Durham County (0.4).
Lowest:
Hyde County (0.2), Greene County (0.2), Tyrrell County (0.2).
Health
North Carolina has a health index of B, which means it is quite healthy.
| Metric | North Carolina | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 77.1 | 78.3 |
| Self-rated poor health | 16.8% | 16.3% |
| Smokers | 20.7% | 19.0% |
Highest health index among counties in
North Carolina:
Orange County (0.8), Wake County (0.8), Watauga County (0.8).
Lowest:
Robeson County (0.8), Lenoir County (0.8), Halifax County (0.8).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Carolina.
What is the population of North Carolina?
The population of North Carolina is 10,790,063, compared to the U.S. total of 334,821,731.
What is the population density of North Carolina?
The population density of North Carolina is 200.3 people per square mile, compared to the U.S. average of 85.8 people per square mile.
What is the median household income in North Carolina?
The median household income in North Carolina is $69,937, compared to the U.S. median of $78,145.
What is the median home price in North Carolina?
The median home price in North Carolina is $265,624, compared to the U.S. median of $242,182.
What is the unemployment rate in North Carolina?
The unemployment rate in North Carolina is 4.7%, compared to the U.S. average of 5.2%.