Author: John Quinterno, Census Liaison/State Data Center Coordinator
Since 1980, the federal government has set aside time in March to honor the contributions women have made to the history of the United States.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the North Carolina State Data Center has compiled the following facts about the estimated 5.7 million women of all ages, races, and backgrounds who call North Carolina home. Unless noted, all data are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey estimates for 2024.
Additional information about the status of North Carolina’s women is available from the Library of North Carolina, the North Carolina Council for Women, and the LINC data platform.
Population
5.7 million
The estimated number of women in North Carolina. There were an estimated 5.4 million men.
2.3 million
The estimated number of women of color in North Carolina. There were an estimated 2.2 million men of color.
1.1 million
The estimated number of girls under 18 years of age in North Carolina; of these girls, some 295,000 were less than five years old.
1.1 million
The estimated number of women ages 65+ in North Carolina; of these, 115,000 were older than 85.
40.7 years of age
The estimated age of the typical North Carolina woman; put differently, half were older than that age, half younger. The figure for men was 38.1 years.
Education
39 percent
The share of North Carolina women ages 25+ who have earned at least a bachelor’s degree; the comparable share of men ages 25+ was 35 percent.
44 percent
The share of North Carolina women ages 18-24 enrolled in postsecondary education; the comparable share of men was 34 percent.
Work & Employment
2.7 million
The number of North Carolina women ages 16+ who participated in the civilian labor force; this represents 59 percent of the total age group.
4 percent
The share of North Carolina women who were unemployed.
$52,000
The amount earned by the typical North Carolina woman who worked on a full-time, year-round basis; put differently, half earned more than that amount, half less.
$0.84
The amount that the typical North Carolina woman who worked on a full-time, year-round basis earned for every $1 earned by a comparable male worker.
Civic Participation
83,000
The estimated number of female military veterans living in North Carolina.
3.7 million
The number of North Carolina women registered to vote as of Election Day 2025. (Source: NC State Board of Elections)
6 percent
The share of North Carolina women participating in volunteer activities on the average day, assuming consistency with national trends. (Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, American Time Use Survey: 2024)