Author: Michael Cline, North Carolina State Demographer
North Carolina’s housing unit growth was among the fastest and largest increases in the nation last year.
- Housing units increased by 1.9% - a rate surpassed by only Idaho (2.2%) and Utah (2.0%).
- North Carolina added 94,000 housing units, the 4th largest growth in the nation – after Texas (+226,000), Florida (+181,000), and California (+116,000). These states had more than double the number of housing units than North Carolina in 2024.
Since April 1, 2020 and July 1, 2024, North Carolina’s residential housing increased by 365,000 (4th largest gain) units (7.7% - 5th fastest growth).
Bump in New Housing Largest in Large Counties
Within North Carolina, housing increased most within our largest counties, suburban and exurban counties, and counties along the coast and in the mountains.
Wake County and Mecklenburg Counties were among the top 20 counties in the nation for the most additions to the housing stock.
Between July 1, 2023 and July 1, 2024:
- Wake County added 17,000 housing units – the 6th largest gain among all counties and county equivalents in the nation.
- Mecklenburg County added 14,000 – the 8th largest gain in housing stock.
Between April 1, 2020 and July 1, 2024:
- Wake County added 66,000 housing units – the 6th largest gain in the nation.
- Mecklenburg County added 48,000 – the 19th largest increase.
Brunswick Nears Top Spot for Housing Growth
Brunswick County is one of the fastest growing counties in the country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest housing unit estimate, Brunswick County’s housing stock grew by 6% between July 1, 2023 and July 1, 2024. That’s the second fastest in the nation (after Jasper County, SC at 8%).
Brunswick County housing grew by 25% between April 1, 2020 and July 1, 2024 – ranked 3rd in the nation (after Jasper County, SC at 31% and Rockwall County, TX at 25%).
Most North Carolina counties saw residential housing growth
Between July 1, 2023 and July 1, 2024:
- Housing stock increased, on average, by 1.2% among all counties.
- 20 of our 100 counties added over 1,000 housing units.
- Only 3 counties (Martin, Washington, Hertford) experienced housing unit loss.
Between April 1, 2020 and July 1, 2024:
- Housing stock increased, on average, by 5.1% among all counties.
- 19 counties added over 5,000 housing units.
- Only 1 county (Martin) experienced housing unit loss.
For More Information
These housing unit estimates were published by the United States Census Bureau on May 15, 2025. The Census Bureau relies on building permit information submitted by local governments to develop these housing unit estimates. More information 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.