North Carolina Population
Current Population
11,197,968
Census estimate · July 1, 2025
+747,753 residents(+7.2%)since 2020
Population History
Population changed from 10,450,215 in 2020 to 11,197,968 in 2025.
| Year | Population | Change | Percent change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 10,450,215 | — | — |
| 2021 | 10,565,503 | +115,288 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | 10,705,768 | +140,265 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 10,871,849 | +166,081 | +1.6% |
| 2024 | 11,052,061 | +180,212 | +1.7% |
| 2025 | 11,197,968 | +145,907 | +1.3% |
Source vintage: Vintage 2025
A later release can revise an earlier year's estimate, so these values may change in a future vintage.
Explore North Carolina
Largest places by population
- Charlotte964,784
- Raleigh506,306
- Greensboro308,667
- Durham305,561
- Winston-Salem257,271
Largest counties by population
- Wake County1,257,235
- Mecklenburg County1,233,383
- Guilford County562,234
- Forsyth County401,718
- Durham County347,240
Sources & Methodology
Current estimate — 11,197,968 · July 1, 2025
U.S. Census Bureau — Population Estimates Program — National/State Population Totals, Vintage 2025
Each estimate refers to July 1 of its year; the latest describes 2025.
The change since 2020 compares the July 1, 2020 and July 1, 2025 estimates from the same Population Estimates Program release.
Methodology details
The population figure on this page is an annual estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program. Each estimate refers to July 1 of its year, so the most recent figure describes 2025 — not the year you are reading it in.
How the change since 2020 is calculated
Both endpoints come from the same Population Estimates Program release, so the comparison is like for like: 10,450,215 on July 1, 2020 and 11,197,968 on July 1, 2025. The change is the later estimate minus the earlier one (+747,753), and the percentage is that change divided by the 2020 estimate (+7.2%).
See how North Carolina ranks among all states →
Geographic details
- Abbreviation
- NC
- FIPS code
- 37
- Jurisdiction type
- state