Author: Michael Cline, North Carolina State Demographer
Brunswick County was the fastest growing county in North Carolina, with a remarkable 24% increase in population between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2024.
According to the State Demographer’s latest population estimates, the county has added 33,000 people since 2020. The county more than doubled in size from 84,000 in 2004 to 169,000 in 2024. This growth is part of a broader trend among coastal counties, including nearby Pender County, which saw a 16% increase, and New Hanover County, which grew by 9%. Currituck County in the Outer Banks also experienced significant growth, with a 16% increase since 2020.
Triangle area suburban counties are also among the fastest growing in the state. Franklin County saw a 17% increase, making it the second fastest-growing county. Johnston County grew by 15%, ranking fourth.
Between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2024, North Carolina counties saw an average population increase of 3%. Unlike the previous decade, when most counties experienced population decline, 72 out of North Carolina’s 100 counties gained population during this period. Hertford County faced the largest population decline, losing 11% of its population (about 2,400 people). This decline is partly due to the closure of the Rivers Correctional Institute in 2021, which resulted in the loss of the prison population living there.
Between 2023 and 2024, the population grew in 83 counties across North Carolina, while 17 experienced minimal population losses. On average, county populations increased by 1% during this period. The largest population increases were seen in Brunswick County, which grew by 5%, and Franklin County, which grew by 4%. Conversely, Gates and Washington Counties experienced the largest percentage population losses, each losing 1% of their population.
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About these population estimates
Each fall, the State Demographer publishes county and municipal population estimates. These estimates are crucial for various planning purposes and to allocate resources to local governments and other entities. Additionally, the trends shown in these estimates help inform the yearly produced state and county population projections. To learn more about the differences between these estimates and other population data, visit Counts, Estimates, and Projections, Oh My!