NORTH CAROLINA
HISTORIC & PROJECTED GROWTH 1790 TO 2050
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Sources: Census figures from U.S. Bureau of the Census & *Estimates from Weldon Cooper Center, Demographics Research Group
NORTH CAROLINA POPULATION DENSITY
North Carolina Land Area - 48,618 square miles
YEAR | PEOPLE PER SQUARE MILE |
|---|---|
2020 | 214.7 |
2010 | 196.1 |
2000 | 165.6 |
1990 | 136.3 |
1980 | 121.0 |
1970 | 104.5 |
1960 | 93.7 |
1950 | 83.5 |
1940 | 73.5 |
1930 | 65.2 |
1920 | 52.6 |
1910 | 45.4 |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census
North Carolina Population News Articles
Scientists Say the Forever Chemical TFA Could Cause Irreversible Harm. In Eastern North Carolina, It’s Everywhere. – Dec 10, 2025
North Carolina at a Crossroads – Dec 8, 2025
Hundreds of residents, advocates speak out against proposed Transco pipeline project – Nov 20, 2025
North Carolina's foreign-born population has increased tenfold since 1990 – Nov 19, 2025
In Brunswick, No Signs Of Slowing Down – Nov 12, 2025
Battling the Sea on the Outer Banks – Nov 12, 2025
Economic, environmental ripple effects feared from potential EPA downsizing in NC – Aug 11, 2025
North Carolina town sees substantial population growth since pandemic – Aug 4, 2025
NC Republicans override Stein’s immigration veto with help from a Democrat – Aug 3, 2025
Weekend heat wave was made more likely by global warming, experts say – July 30, 2025
Legislators override Stein, repeal interim carbon-cut goal – July 29, 2025
N.C. has allowed a likely carcinogen into three rivers serving 900,000 people – July 13, 2025
Aqua North Carolina installs 7 PFAS treatment systems to protect drinking water – Jan 31, 2025
North Carolina launches Energy Saver NC program with $208 million in rebates – Jan 16, 2025
EPA steps in, demands action on toxic chemical in NC drinking water – Jan 14, 2025
North Carolina's population growth continues around its cities – Jan 7, 2025
New Duke Energy gas plants move forward in North Carolina despite residents' concerns – Jan 6, 2025
North Carolina's foreign-born population is booming – Oct 20, 2024
Hurricanes leave behind long-term health risks and water contamination – Oct 16, 2024
Holly Ridge population growing rapidly – Oct 14, 2024
Why was Asheville, North Carolina flooding so bad? Rare weather events and climate change are to blame – Oct 2, 2024
Hurricane Helene Lays Bare the Growing Threat of Inland Flooding – Oct 1, 2024
Park Air Profiles - Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Sept 23, 2024
‘What nature intended it to be’: NC lands historic EPA grant to fight climate change – July 25, 2024
18.0% of North Carolina Rivers Are Too Polluted for Swimming – July 19, 2024
Severe drought covers a quarter of NC counties amid record-breaking heat – July 16, 2024
Where refugees in North Carolina are arriving from -July 11, 2024
This North Carolina town’s population has grown 46% in the last year – July 11, 2024
IRS data shows migration to North Carolina in droves – July 4, 2024
NC inpatient psychiatric beds not keeping pace with population growth – Jan 25, 2024
Researchers say wildfires in NC will likely only get worse. Here's why – Jan 24, 2024
A decades-long battle against North Carolina’s largest landfill is ramping up – Jan 19, 2024
Population growth spurs Bartlett mill expansion – Jan 15, 2024
Domestic migration fuels North Carolina's swelling population – Jan 5, 2024
Coastal crossroads: NC’s growing risk of Maui-like wildfires – August 16, 2023
EPA Denies Factory Farm Water Pollution Petition – August 15, 2023
NC school enrollment trends raise big questions about the future – August 8, 2023
Discover the 5 Fastest-Shrinking Counties in North Carolina – July 28, 2023
High percentage of federal police funding supplied to sanctuary jurisdictions – July 27, 2023
How North Carolina’s Carbon Emissions Compare to Other States – July 26, 2023
Raleigh ranks 9th in the nation for apartment shortages – August 28, 2022
North Carolina temperatures will feel like 125°F by 2053, study shows – August 17, 2022
NC pellet plant wants to expand, but some worry about emissions – August 15, 2022
Beachgoers beware: Climate change may be increasing fecal bacteria at North Carolina beaches – August 5, 2022
Here’s How Much the Population Grew in Wilmington, NC During the Pandemic – April 27, 2022
North Carolina faces shortage of 900,000 housing units by 2030, exec warns – April 29, 2022
Buncombe’s unsheltered homeless population doubles in a year - May 12, 2022
Plan would fund clean energy, hog farm buyouts, resilience – May 18, 2022
Beach house washed away by Atlantic Ocean sparks Zillow and climate change chatter – May 11, 2022
N.C. governor’s climate order marks a turning point on transportation – January 20, 2022
17% of people live near toxic release facilities. Here’s how it breaks down in North Carolina – January 11, 2022
PFAS, Climate Change, Mining, and Hazardous Waste: 2022 Will Be Another Critical Year for the Environment in North Carolina – January 6, 2022
Hog farming has a massive poop problem – January 4, 2022
Along the NC coast, the Cape Lookout National Seashore is embracing its dark side – December 23, 2021
Climate change: North Carolina gov signs major energy law – October 13, 2021
How Habitat Protection Can Help North Carolina’s Coastal Communities, Fish, and Ecosystems – October 12, 2021
New air pollution report points to health problems in the mountains – October 5, 2021
Winston-Salem population is just shy of 250,000 in the 2020 Census, but city is more diverse – October 2, 2021
See how much of North Carolina is experiencing drought conditions – September 26, 2021
The oldest tree in eastern US survived millennia – but rising seas could kill it – August 1, 2021
This Is The Fastest Growing City In North Carolina – July 25, 2021
Environmental groups encourage action to improve coastal water quality – July 15, 2021
‘It's just not getting better': North Carolina riverkeepers cry foul over state’s farm law – July 11, 2021
Report: Charlotte's Air Quality is the Worst in the Southeast – April 21, 2021
How North Carolina is already seeing the impact of climate change – April 15, 2021
Shortfalls in North Carolina’s infrastructure threaten future – April 13, 2021
How a shortage of doctors impacts medical care in North Carolina’s rural areas – April 12, 2021
Record warm & record wet: 2020 in North Carolina shows signs of climate change – January 15, 2020
Groups call on NC to adopt a price on carbon, join compact to reduce emissions – January 14, 2021