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North Carolina’s Municipalities Among Fastest Growing in the Nation
Most Municipalities Continue to Grow

Many North Carolina municipalities among top 100 cities for population growth since 2020. See how your municipality ranked.

Author: Michael Cline, North Carolina State Demographer

Many North Carolina municipalities have been among the 100 top cities for population growth since the 2020 census according to the latest population estimates published by the U.S. Census Bureau on May 15, 2025. These latest population estimates provide a richer picture – highlighting North Carolina as a magnet for population growth.

Between July 1, 2023 and July 1, 2024:

  • Charlotte had the 6th largest population increase in the country, adding 23,000 people.
  • Five North Carolina municipalities ranked within the top 100 population increases among all incorporated places in the nation.
    • Charlotte (6th): +23,423
    • Raleigh (25th): +8,747
    • Durham (53rd): +5,488
    • Garner (85th): +3,691
    • Greensboro (90th): +3,492
  • Seven North Carolina municipalities were among the fastest growing in the nation.
    • Belville (5th): +35.7%
    • Calabash (20th): +22.9%
    • Wendell (42nd): +16.3%
    • Angier (60th): +13.6%
    • Bolivia (61st): +13.4%
    • Holly Ridge (87th): 11.4%
    • Zebulon (91st): 11.1%
  • 75% of all municipalities added population, while only 18% experienced population loss (7% saw no change).

Four Year Trend

Between April 1, 2020 and July 1, 2024:

  • Charlotte had the 4th largest population increase in the country, adding 69,000 people.
  • Raleigh’s 32,000 population increase was the 19th largest gain in the nation.
  • Six North Carolina municipalities ranked within the top 100 incorporated places in the nation for population growth.
    • Charlotte (4th): +68,789
    • Raleigh (19th): +31,914
    • Durham (46th): +18,043
    • Fuquay-Varina (86th): +12,052
    • Apex (88th): +11,653
    • Leland (93rd): +11,074
  • Seven North Carolina municipalities were among the fastest growing in the nation.
    • Wendell (42ndt): +71.2%
    • Bolivia (47th): +67.1%
    • Angier (61st): +55.0%
    • Zebulon (74th): +51.9%
    • Leland (93rd): +47.4%
    • Calabash (87th): 47.4%
    • Northwest (95th): 47.3%
  • 77% of all municipalities added population, while only 21% experienced population loss (2% saw no change).

For More Information

These population estimates were published by the United States Census Bureau on May 15, 2025. These are a continuation of the reporting of the Vintage 2024 population estimates  - following the state population estimates reported in December and the county population estimates reported in March. The Census Bureau relies on building permit information submitted by local governments to develop these population estimates in combination with data on births, deaths, and migration at the county level that are derived from federal and state administrative and survey data. More information about these estimates can be found here: Population Growth Reported Across Cities and Towns in All U.S. Regions. 

The North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management assists the US Census Bureau in developing these estimates through the Federal-State Cooperative for Population Estimates. These estimates allow municipalities to compare their population change with other municipalities in the nation. These are different than the population estimates produced by the state demographer that will be published in September 2025.

To see how your municipality ranks: