North Carolina Area Profiles
96 published city profiles across North Carolina, each built from the same authoritative sources and compared on the same terms.
Statewide signals
Opportunity27th of 51 states measured51
GrowthTop 10% of 51 states measured65
Housing affordabilityTop 46% of 51 states measured71
ClimateTop 6% of 51 states measured77
Physical resilience31st of 51 states measured47
AccessTop 30% of 51 states measured84
Economic stability40th of 51 states measured31
Cities
96 published profiles across 30 areasCharlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
23 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | Mecklenburg County | 903,844 | 59 |
| Concord | Cabarrus County | 108,719 | 60 |
| Gastonia | Gaston County | 82,884 | 58 |
| Huntersville | Mecklenburg County | 63,969 | 66 |
| Kannapolis | Cabarrus County | 57,890 | 54 |
| Mooresville | Iredell County | 52,381 | 65 |
| Indian Trail | Union County | 42,036 | 66 |
| Monroe | Union County | 36,759 | 61 |
| Salisbury | Rowan County | 35,825 | 53 |
| Cornelius | Mecklenburg County | 32,783 | 66 |
| Matthews | Mecklenburg County | 30,577 | 66 |
| Statesville | Iredell County | 29,894 | 58 |
| Mint Hill | Mecklenburg County | 27,556 | 60 |
| Waxhaw | Union County | 22,275 | 65 |
| Harrisburg | Cabarrus County | 19,633 | 65 |
| Mount Holly | Gaston County | 18,208 | 66 |
| Stallings | Union County | 16,886 | 67 |
| Davidson | Mecklenburg County | 15,660 | 65 |
| Belmont | Gaston County | 15,546 | 68 |
| Weddington | Union County | 13,805 | 63 |
| Lake Norman of Iredell | Iredell County | 12,494 | 67 |
| Lincolnton | Lincoln County | 11,783 | 61 |
| Pineville | Mecklenburg County | 11,055 | 53 |
Raleigh-Cary, NC
13 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | Wake County | 481,031 | 70 |
| Cary | Wake County | 179,306 | 74 |
| Apex | Wake County | 70,630 | 78 |
| Wake Forest | Wake County | 52,844 | 76 |
| Holly Springs | Wake County | 45,248 | 74 |
| Fuquay-Varina | Wake County | 40,485 | 70 |
| Garner | Wake County | 34,473 | 66 |
| Morrisville | Wake County | 31,422 | 81 |
| Clayton | Johnston County | 29,320 | 68 |
| Knightdale | Wake County | 20,214 | 69 |
| Wendell | Wake County | 13,064 | 66 |
| Smithfield | Johnston County | 12,116 | 59 |
| Rolesville | Wake County | 10,766 | 73 |
Greensboro-High Point, NC
7 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro | Guilford County | 301,198 | 60 |
| High Point | Guilford County | 116,245 | 57 |
| Asheboro | Randolph County | 27,580 | 53 |
| Eden | Rockingham County | 15,356 | 50 |
| Reidsville | Rockingham County | 14,585 | 49 |
| Archdale | Randolph County | 12,087 | 62 |
| Summerfield | Guilford County | 11,116 | 70 |
Winston-Salem, NC
6 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem | Forsyth County | 252,037 | 57 |
| Kernersville | Forsyth County | 27,830 | 60 |
| Thomasville | Davidson County | 27,321 | 54 |
| Clemmons | Forsyth County | 21,871 | 66 |
| Lexington | Davidson County | 19,690 | 55 |
| Lewisville | Forsyth County | 13,828 | 64 |
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
4 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham | Durham County | 291,467 | 63 |
| Chapel Hill | Orange County | 61,607 | 62 |
| Carrboro | Orange County | 21,204 | 64 |
| Mebane | Orange County | 19,538 | 60 |
Wilmington, NC
4 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | New Hanover County | 120,805 | 58 |
| Leland | Brunswick County | 29,607 | 60 |
| Murraysville | New Hanover County | 16,339 | 60 |
| Myrtle Grove | New Hanover County | 12,637 | 62 |
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
4 cities
Fayetteville, NC
3 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | Cumberland County | 210,815 | 44 |
| Hope Mills | Cumberland County | 17,939 | 48 |
| Spring Lake | Cumberland County | 11,573 | 49 |
Burlington, NC
3 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | Alamance County | 59,610 | 55 |
| Graham | Alamance County | 18,048 | 55 |
| Elon | Alamance County | 11,032 | 56 |
Asheville, NC
2 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | Buncombe County | 94,535 | 64 |
| Hendersonville | Henderson County | 15,408 | 61 |
Greenville, NC
2 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | Pitt County | 92,857 | 54 |
| Winterville | Pitt County | 10,725 | 55 |
Jacksonville, NC
2 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | Onslow County | 71,279 | 43 |
| Piney Green | Onslow County | 14,078 | 50 |
Rocky Mount, NC
2 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | Nash County | 54,297 | 42 |
| Tarboro | Edgecombe County | 10,770 | 41 |
New Bern, NC
2 cities
Shelby-Kings Mountain, NC
2 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby | Cleveland County | 22,100 | 57 |
| Kings Mountain | Cleveland County | 12,039 | 55 |
Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC
2 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinehurst | Moore County | 18,256 | 63 |
| Southern Pines | Moore County | 16,420 | 64 |
Anderson Creek, NC
2 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson Creek | Harnett County | 13,927 | 58 |
| Spout Springs | Harnett County | 11,242 | 64 |
Strongest opportunity
- Apex 84
- Holly Springs 83
- Morrisville 80
- Wake Forest 80
- Fuquay-Varina 80
Fastest development
- Rolesville 91
- Morrisville 86
- Monroe 85
- Knightdale 83
- Apex 82
Statewide physical risk
Ice stormModerate
Inland floodingModerate
HurricaneModerate
LightningModerate
EarthquakeModerate
Low or minimal exposure: tornado, winter weather, heat wave, hail, strong wind, cold wave, landslide, wildfire, drought, coastal flooding, avalanche, tsunami, volcanic activity.
Population-weighted across every county in North Carolina, derived from the FEMA National Risk Index. Exposure varies substantially within a state — check the individual city and ZIP profiles.
Statewide data
| Metric | Value | Compared nationally | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadband access ±0.2%2024 ACS 5-Year | 90.1% | Bottom 39%of 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Distance to major airportNASR current cycle | 30 mi | Top 34%of 51 | NASR current cycle |
| Major airports within 100 milesNASR current cycle | 3 | Top 48%of 51 | NASR current cycle |
| No internet access ±0.1%2024 ACS 5-Year | 7.5% | Bottom 31%of 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Annual precipitation1991-2020 Normals | 43.6" | 62nd percentileof 51 | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low1991-2020 Normals | 32°F | 80th percentileof 51 | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average July high1991-2020 Normals | 90°F | 68th percentileof 51 | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Comfortable months1991-2020 Normals | 7 | Top 22%of 51 | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Seasonal temperature swing1991-2020 Normals | 38°F | 22nd percentileof 51 | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average household size ±0.012024 ACS 5-Year | 2.44 | 39th percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Households ±9,1202024 ACS 5-Year | 4,282,345 | 86th percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age ±0.22024 ACS 5-Year | 39.1 | 49th percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population2024 ACS 5-Year | 10,730,404 | 84th percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population change (1 year)July 1, 2024 estimate | +1.5% | Top 14%of 51 | July 1, 2024 estimate |
| Population change (4 years)July 1, 2024 estimate | +5.7% | Top 12%of 51 | July 1, 2024 estimate |
| Population density2024 ACS 5-Year | 221/sq mi | 71st percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population estimateJuly 1, 2024 estimate | 11,046,024 | 84th percentileof 51 | July 1, 2024 estimate |
| Average permitted value per unit12 months ending July 2026 | $262,451 | 46th percentileof 51 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Housing units permitted (12 months)12 months ending July 2026 | 88,744 | Top 6%of 51 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Multifamily share of permits12 months ending July 2026 | 28.2% | 34th percentileof 51 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (3 years)12 months ending July 2026 | −4.0% | Bottom 36%of 51 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year)12 months ending July 2026 | −1.7% | Bottom 40%of 51 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents12 months ending July 2026 | 8.3 | Top 4%of 51 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Cost of living index2023 | 94.4 | Top 46%of 51 | 2023 |
| Home price change (1 year)2026 Q2 | +2.4% | 24th percentileof 51 | 2026 Q2 |
| Home price change (5 years)2026 Q2 | +51.4% | 84th percentileof 51 | 2026 Q2 |
| Home price change (10 years)2026 Q2 | +113.3% | 80th percentileof 51 | 2026 Q2 |
| Home price to income ±0.02024 ACS 5-Year | 3.2 | Bottom 47%of 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate ±0.3%2024 ACS 5-Year | 66.6% | 35th percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units ±6422024 ACS 5-Year | 4,895,668 | 86th percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent ±$52024 ACS 5-Year | $1,228 | Top 49%of 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value ±$1,0862024 ACS 5-Year | $288,900 | 47th percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median property taxes ±$82024 ACS 5-Year | $1,896 | 29th percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Owner household income ±$5212024 ACS 5-Year | $88,911 | Bottom 33%of 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Property tax rate ±0.00%2024 ACS 5-Year | 0.66% | 31st percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Rent as a share of income ±0.2%2024 ACS 5-Year | 29.5% | Bottom 47%of 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Seasonal and second homes ±3,7132024 ACS 5-Year | 191,878 | 90th percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Second homes2024 ACS 5-Year | 3.9% | 69th percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Vacancy rate2024 ACS 5-Year | 8.6% | 75th percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Vacant housing units ±9,4832024 ACS 5-Year | 613,323 | 92nd percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income ±$3242024 ACS 5-Year | $72,388 | Bottom 27%of 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income ±$2112024 ACS 5-Year | $41,385 | Bottom 45%of 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate ±0.2%2024 ACS 5-Year | 12.4% | Bottom 33%of 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average commute ±0.1 min2024 ACS 5-Year | 26.8 min | Top 47%of 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher ±0.2%2024 ACS 5-Year | 35.7% | Top 39%of 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Drove alone to work ±0.2%2024 ACS 5-Year | 71.5% | 49th percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| EmploymentAugust 2026 | 5,040,683 | Top 16%of 51 | August 2026 |
| Employment change (3 years)August 2026 | −0.6% | Bottom 36%of 51 | August 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year)August 2026 | −0.5% | Top 50%of 51 | August 2026 |
| Labor forceAugust 2026 | 5,229,150 | 84th percentileof 51 | August 2026 |
| Labor force participation ±0.1%2024 ACS 5-Year | 78.4% | Bottom 33%of 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public transit to work ±0.0%2024 ACS 5-Year | 0.7% | 35th percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment change (year over year)August 2026 | −0.5% | Top 24%of 51 | August 2026 |
| Unemployment rateAugust 2026 | 3.6% | Top 30%of 51 | August 2026 |
| Worked from home ±0.2%2024 ACS 5-Year | 16.3% | 73rd percentileof 52 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility2024-25 school year | 76.7% | 93rd percentileof 45 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency2018-19 school year | 44.4% | Top 49%of 50 | 2018-19 school year |
| Public schools2024-25 school year | 2,641 | 84th percentileof 51 | 2024-25 school year |
| Reading proficiency2018-19 school year | 47.0% | Bottom 29%of 49 | 2018-19 school year |
| Schools behind the staffing ratio2024-25 school year | 2,577 | 84th percentileof 50 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher2024-25 school year | 16.3 | Bottom 27%of 50 | 2024-25 school year |
Counties in North Carolina
47 publishedSome measures are published by county and nowhere finer — death rates by intent among them. On a county page those describe the geography they are printed on.
Wake County, NC
1,178,653 residents · 2.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Mecklenburg County, NC
1,154,681 residents · 8.4 homicide deaths per 100k
Guilford County, NC
547,940 residents · 7.6 homicide deaths per 100k
Forsyth County, NC
389,977 residents · 9.2 homicide deaths per 100k
Cumberland County, NC
338,545 residents · 11.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Durham County, NC
332,353 residents · 10.7 homicide deaths per 100k
Buncombe County, NC
274,360 residents · 5.4 homicide deaths per 100k
Union County, NC
250,958 residents · 4.5 homicide deaths per 100k
Cabarrus County, NC
236,133 residents · 4.5 homicide deaths per 100k
New Hanover County, NC
235,229 residents · 6.7 homicide deaths per 100k
Gaston County, NC
234,881 residents · 6.7 homicide deaths per 100k
Johnston County, NC
234,263 residents · 4.4 homicide deaths per 100k
Onslow County, NC
207,906 residents · 4.7 homicide deaths per 100k
Iredell County, NC
196,544 residents · 4.6 homicide deaths per 100k
Pitt County, NC
177,193 residents · 10.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Alamance County, NC
176,893 residents · 3.5 homicide deaths per 100k
Davidson County, NC
172,954 residents · 7.4 homicide deaths per 100k
Catawba County, NC
163,573 residents · 7.3 homicide deaths per 100k
Brunswick County, NC
152,568 residents · 6.9 homicide deaths per 100k
Rowan County, NC
149,875 residents · 6.1 homicide deaths per 100k
Orange County, NC
149,678 residents · 3.9 homicide deaths per 100k
Randolph County, NC
146,348 residents · 3.3 homicide deaths per 100k
Harnett County, NC
139,150 residents · 5.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Wayne County, NC
118,652 residents · 11.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Henderson County, NC
118,484 residents · 6.1 homicide deaths per 100k
Robeson County, NC
116,902 residents · 29.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Moore County, NC
104,876 residents · 7.3 homicide deaths per 100k
Craven County, NC
102,612 residents · 9.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Cleveland County, NC
100,991 residents · 6.3 homicide deaths per 100k
Nash County, NC
96,216 residents · 14.5 homicide deaths per 100k
Lincoln County, NC
92,716 residents · 5.8 homicide deaths per 100k
Rockingham County, NC
92,131 residents · 6.0 homicide deaths per 100k
Burke County, NC
87,795 residents · 5.7 homicide deaths per 100k
Caldwell County, NC
80,536 residents · 6.7 homicide deaths per 100k
Chatham County, NC
80,151 residents · 5.7 homicide deaths per 100k
Wilson County, NC
79,290 residents · 9.3 homicide deaths per 100k
Surry County, NC
71,425 residents · 5.7 homicide deaths per 100k
Lee County, NC
65,816 residents · 7.6 homicide deaths per 100k
Stanly County, NC
64,651 residents · 6.3 homicide deaths per 100k
Haywood County, NC
62,662 residents · 3.3 homicide deaths per 100k
Watauga County, NC
55,123 residents · 0.0 homicide deaths per 100k
Lenoir County, NC
54,919 residents · 11.5 homicide deaths per 100k
Edgecombe County, NC
48,736 residents · 16.1 homicide deaths per 100k
Halifax County, NC
47,675 residents · 21.1 homicide deaths per 100k
Vance County, NC
42,322 residents · 13.1 homicide deaths per 100k
Pasquotank County, NC
40,834 residents · 7.4 homicide deaths per 100k
Scotland County, NC
33,590 residents · 10.7 homicide deaths per 100k