North Carolina

North Carolina is a state in the Southeastern and South Atlantic regions of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, South Carolina to the south, Georgia to the southwest, and Tennessee to the west. The state is the 28th-largest and ninth-most populous of the United States, with a population of over ten million people.

The state has a rich history, with evidence of human occupation dating back 10,000 years. It was home to many Native American tribes before European settlers arrived. North Carolina was one of the original Thirteen Colonies and played an important role in the American Revolution. It was the twelfth state to ratify the United States Constitution and later joined the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.

A famous moment in history happened in North Carolina when Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft at Kitty Hawk in 1903. Because of this, North Carolina calls itself "First in Flight."

The state's landscape varies widely, from the high Appalachian Mountains in the west to the flat Atlantic coastal plain in the east. Mount Mitchell , the highest point in North America east of the Black Hills, is found in the mountains. Most of the state has a warm, humid climate, while the mountains have a cooler climate.

History

Main article: History of North Carolina

Ceremony of Secotan warriors in North Carolina. Watercolour painted by English colonist John White in 1585.

North Carolina has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. For at least 10,000 years, Indigenous cultures lived in the region, building earthworks and mounds for ceremonial purposes. Historic tribes included the Cherokee, Carolina Algonquian-speaking groups like the Chowanoc and Roanoke, and various Iroquoian and Siouan-speaking tribes.

European exploration began in the 16th century when Spanish explorers recorded meeting Mississippian culture people at Joara. In 1584, English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh established a colony on Roanoke Island, known as the "Lost Colony" because its settlers disappeared. Permanent English settlement began in the 17th century, with migrants from Virginia settling in the Albemarle Sound region. North Carolina became a separate colony from South Carolina in 1712 and a royal colony in 1729.

Sir Walter Raleigh, namesake of the state capital of North Carolina, Raleigh

During the American Revolutionary War, North Carolina played a key role. It was the first colony to instruct its delegates to vote for independence, and many battles took place there, including the Battle of King's Mountain and the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. After the war, North Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1789, becoming the twelfth state.

In the 19th century, the state developed a plantation economy in its eastern half, relying on slave labor. Cotton and tobacco became major crops. During the Civil War, North Carolina was a key Confederate state, contributing around 125,000 troops. The war ended with the surrender of Confederate forces in Durham County in 1865.

After the Civil War, North Carolina underwent Reconstruction, during which African Americans gained some political rights. However, by the late 19th century, new laws and violence suppressed these rights, leading to segregation and disenfranchisement.

In the 20th century, North Carolina transformed from a rural, agricultural state to a more industrialized and diverse economy. The Wright brothers made the first powered flight near Kitty Hawk in 1903. The state saw growth in cities like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham, especially after World War II. Research Triangle Park, established in 1959, became a major hub for technology and research. Today, North Carolina's economy includes technology, pharmaceuticals, banking, and tourism, marking a shift from its traditional industries of tobacco and textiles.

Geography

Main article: Geography of North Carolina

North Carolina is bordered by South Carolina on the south, Georgia on the southwest, Tennessee on the west, Virginia on the north, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. It has a total area of 53,819 square miles, of which 48,618 square miles is land and 5,201 square miles is water.

The state consists of three main geographic regions: the Atlantic coastal plain in the east, the central Piedmont region, and the western mountain region, which is part of the Appalachian Mountains. The coastal plain includes the Outer Banks, a string of sandy islands, and is home to plants like the venus flytrap and trees like the longleaf pine. The Piedmont region is the most populous part of the state. The western region includes the Blue Ridge Mountains, home to the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, Mount Mitchell.

North Carolina has many rivers, with 11 beginning within the state. The climate varies from cooler mountains to warmer coastal areas. The state experiences severe weather, including hurricanes and tornadoes. North Carolina offers many outdoor activities, such as swimming, skiing, hiking, and fishing. It also has many parks, forests, and historic sites to explore.

City	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monthly normal high and low temperatures (Fahrenheit) for various North Carolina cities.
Asheville	47/27	51/30	59/35	68/43	75/51	81/60	84/64	83/63	77/56	68/45	59/36	49/29
Boone	42/21	45/23	52/29	61/37	69/46	76/54	79/58	78/57	72/50	63/39	54/31	45/24
Cape Hatteras	52/39	54/40	59/45	66/53	74/61	81/69	85/74	84/73	80/69	72/60	64/51	56/43
Charlotte	51/30	55/33	63/39	72/47	79/56	86/64	89/68	88/67	81/60	72/49	62/39	53/32
Fayetteville	54/33	59/35	66/42	75/50	82/59	89/68	91/72	90/70	84/64	75/52	67/43	56/35
Greensboro	48/30	53/32	61/39	70/47	78/56	85/65	88/69	86/68	80/61	70/49	61/40	51/32
Raleigh	51/31	55/34	63/40	72/48	80/57	87/66	90/70	88/69	82/62	73/50	64/41	54/33
Wilmington	56/36	60/38	66/44	74/52	81/60	87/69	90/73	88/71	84/66	76/55	68/45	59/38

Largest cities or towns in North Carolina (2023 census estimate)
Rank	Name	County	Pop.	Rank	Name	County	Pop.
1	Charlotte	Mecklenburg	911,311	11	Asheville	Buncombe	95,056
2	Raleigh	Wake	482,295	12	Greenville	Pitt	90,053
3	Greensboro	Guilford	302,296	13	Gastonia	Gaston	83,942
4	Durham	Durham	296,186	14	Jacksonville	Onslow	72,879
5	Winston-Salem	Forsyth	252,975	15	Apex	Wake	72,225
6	Fayetteville	Cumberland	209,749	16	Huntersville	Mecklenburg	64,688
7	Cary	Wake	180,010	17	Chapel Hill	Orange	62,043
8	Wilmington	New Hanover	122,698	18	Burlington	Alamance	60,032
9	High Point	Guilford	116,926	19	Kannapolis	Cabarrus	59,321
10	Concord	Cabarrus	110,119	20	Wake Forest	Wake	54,337

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of North Carolina

North Carolina is a busy state with lots of people! In 2020, the United States Census Bureau counted 10,439,388 people living there. By 2024, the number grew to about 11,046,024. Most of these people were born in North Carolina itself, but many also came from other states or countries like Mexico, India, and Honduras.

The state has many different age groups. Young children, school-age kids, and teenagers are all well-represented. There are also plenty of adults and older people, with the number of people aged 70 and above growing steadily. North Carolina’s largest cities, such as those in Wake and Mecklenburg counties, are where most people live.

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1790	393,751	—
1800	478,103	21.4%
1810	556,526	16.4%
1820	638,829	14.8%
1830	737,987	15.5%
1840	753,419	2.1%
1850	869,039	15.3%
1860	992,622	14.2%
1870	1,071,361	7.9%
1880	1,399,750	30.7%
1890	1,617,949	15.6%
1900	1,893,810	17.1%
1910	2,206,287	16.5%
1920	2,559,123	16.0%
1930	3,170,276	23.9%
1940	3,571,623	12.7%
1950	4,061,929	13.7%
1960	4,556,155	12.2%
1970	5,082,059	11.5%
1980	5,881,766	15.7%
1990	6,628,637	12.7%
2000	8,049,313	21.4%
2010	9,535,483	18.5%
2020	10,439,388	9.5%
2025 (est.)	11,197,968	7.3%
Source: 1910–2020

Ethnic composition as of the 2020 census
Race and Ethnicity	Alone
White (non-Hispanic)	60.5%	63.9%
African American (non-Hispanic)	20.2%	21.8%
Hispanic or Latino	—	10.7%
Asian	3.3%	4.0%
Native American	1.0%	2.5%
Pacific Islander	0.1%	0.2%
Other	0.4%	1.1%

**Historical racial demographics**
Racial composition	1990	2000	2010	2020
White	75.6%	72.1%	68.5%	62.2%
Black	22.0%	21.6%	21.4%	20.5%
Asian	0.8%	1.4%	2.2%	3.3%
Native	1.2%	1.2%	1.3%	1.2%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander	–	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%
Other race	0.5%	2.3%	4.3%	5.9%
Two or more races	–	1.3%	2.3%	6.8%

**North Carolina – Racial and ethnic composition**
*Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.*
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	5,647,155	6,223,995	6,312,148	70.16%	65.27%	60.46%
Black or African American alone (NH)	1,723,301	2,019,854	2,107,526	21.41%	21.18%	20.19%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	95,333	108,829	100,886	1.18%	1.14%	0.97%
Asian alone (NH)	112,416	206,579	340,059	1.40%	2.17%	3.26%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	3,165	5,259	6,980	0.04%	0.06%	0.07%
Other race alone (NH)	9,015	15,088	46,340	0.11%	0.16%	0.44%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	79,965	155,759	406,853	0.99%	1.63%	3.90%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	378,963	800,120	1,118,596	4.71%	8.39%	10.71%
Total	8,049,313	9,535,483	10,439,388	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

**Most common languages other than English spoken in North Carolina**
Language	Percentage of population (in 2010)
Spanish	6.93%
French	0.32%
German	0.27%
Chinese (including Mandarin)	0.27%
Vietnamese	0.24%
Arabic	0.17%
Korean	0.16%
Tagalog	0.13%
Hindi	0.12%
Gujarati, Russian, and Hmong (tied)	0.11%
Italian and Japanese (tied)	0.08%
Cherokee	0.01%

Economy

Main article: Economy of North Carolina

North Carolina has a diverse economy, helped by its natural resources, pleasant climate, and varied soils. The state is a leader in farming, especially known for producing tobacco, sweet potatoes, and pigs. Charlotte, the largest city, is an important center for business and trade.

Many small businesses are found throughout North Carolina, and the state is also strong in technology and science industries. While cities in North Carolina are growing and doing well economically, some rural areas have faced challenges with job losses and population decline.

Arts and culture

Main articles: Culture of North Carolina and List of museums in North Carolina

North Carolina has a rich tradition in art, music, and food. The state supports a strong arts community, with the nonprofit arts industry creating jobs and bringing visitors. The North Carolina Museum of Art is one of the first state-funded art museums in the United States.

One famous arts place is Seagrove, known for its handmade pottery, where artists have been creating beautiful pottery for over 200 years.

TV and film

Further information: Category:Films shot in North Carolina; Category:Television shows filmed in North Carolina; and Films and television shows produced in Wilmington, North Carolina

Internet

MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), the most subscribed individual on YouTube since 2024, is from Greenville.

Good Mythical Morning co-hosts Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal grew up in Buies Creek, a small town in Harnett County.

Music

North Carolina has many famous jazz musicians, including John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone. The state is also known for its old-time and country music, with musicians like the North Carolina Ramblers and Doc Watson.

Other well-known musicians from North Carolina include James Taylor, J. Cole, and Luke Combs. The state has produced many winners and finalists from American Idol, including Fantasia Barrino and Scotty McCreery.

North Carolina has several opera companies and symphony orchestras, as well as performing arts centers in cities like Durham, Raleigh, and Charlotte.

Shopping

North Carolina has many shopping places. SouthPark Mall in Charlotte is one of the largest and most upscale malls in the area. Other big malls include Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh and Concord Mills in Concord.

Cuisine and agriculture

A popular food in North Carolina is pork barbecue, with different regions having their own styles of sauce and cooking methods. The state is also famous for foods like Krispy Kreme doughnuts, started in Winston-Salem, and Cook Out fast food, begun in Greensboro.

North Carolina has become known for its wine, cheeses, and breweries. The Yadkin Valley is a growing area for grape farming, and cities like Asheville have many breweries. The state also has large farms for beef and dairy cattle, and it is a major producer of tobacco.

Ships named for the state

Further information: USS North Carolina

Several ships have been named after North Carolina, including the famous USS North Carolina, which served in World War II and is now a museum in Wilmington. Another USS North Carolina is a nuclear submarine commissioned in 2008.

State parks

The state has many protected areas called the North Carolina State Park System, managed by the state government.

Armed forces installations

Fort Bragg near Fayetteville is a major military base, home to the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division. Other important bases include Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro.

Tourism

Charlotte is the most-visited city in North Carolina, drawing 28.3 million visitors in 2018. Popular attractions include the Carolina Panthers football team, Charlotte Hornets basketball team, Carowinds amusement park, and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The Appalachian Mountains in the western part of the state attract many tourists, especially to the historic Biltmore Estate. The scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are among the most visited national parks in the United States. In Raleigh, the capital, visitors enjoy museums such as the North Carolina Museum of Art and North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, as well as the Carolina Hurricanes hockey team. The Outer Banks beaches are also a major draw for visitors each year.

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in North Carolina

North Carolina has many ways to travel, including roads, airports, trains, and ferries. It has the second-largest road system in the United States and the biggest ferry system on the East Coast.

The state's airports, like Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, connect North Carolina to many places in the U.S. and around the world. The state also has train services with Amtrak and a light rail system in Charlotte called LYNX.

Major highways

Primary Interstates

Auxiliary (three-digit) Interstates

Education

Main article: Education in North Carolina

North Carolina has a well-organized system of schools and colleges. Public schools are managed by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, with policies decided by the North Carolina State Board of Education. The state has 115 school districts, with big systems like the Wake County Public School System and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. There are over 2,400 public schools, including special charter schools.

North Carolina was the first state to open a public university in the United States, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Today, the University of North Carolina System includes 16 public universities and many community colleges. Some of the most well-known universities are North Carolina State University, Duke University, and Wake Forest University. The state also has many private colleges, such as Davidson College and Elon University. North Carolina is also home to the oldest folk school in the United States, the John C. Campbell Folk School.

Health

People living in North Carolina tend to live shorter lives than the average person in the United States. In 2014, men in North Carolina lived about 75 years on average, which is a bit less than the national average of 77 years. Women in the state lived around 80 years, also a little less than the national average of 82 years.

Life expectancy can vary a lot depending on the county. For example, in Swain County people lived about 71 years, while in Orange County it was around 82 years. Overall, the average life expectancy for the whole state was about 78 years.

Media

North Carolina has a long history of newspapers, with the first ones starting in the eastern part of the state in the mid-1700s. One of the oldest newspapers still being published today is The Fayetteville Observer, which began in 1816. Another important paper is the Wilmington Star-News, which has been running since 1867. As of 2020, there were around 240 newspapers being published in North Carolina.

Today, the largest newspaper in the state is the News and Observer, founded in 1871. Another major paper is The Charlotte Observer, which was bought by the same company in 2006 and is the second-largest newspaper in North Carolina.

Government and politics

Main articles: Government of North Carolina, Politics of North Carolina, and Political party strength in North Carolina

The government of North Carolina is divided into three parts: executive, legislative, and judicial. The executive branch is led by the Governor and includes the Council of State. The legislature, called the General Assembly, has two parts. The judicial branch is headed by the North Carolina Supreme Court. The state constitution explains how the government works. Many towns and cities in North Carolina use a council–manager system for their local governments.

North Carolina’s political leanings have changed over time. In 2010, voters elected a Republican majority in the legislature for the first time in over a hundred years. The state has become a swing state in presidential races. In 2008, Democrat Barack Obama became the first Democrat to win the state since 1976. In 2012, Republican Mitt Romney won the state by a small margin. Republican Donald Trump won the state in 2016, 2020, and 2024. In 2012, North Carolina elected a Republican governor for the first time in over two decades. In 2016, voters elected Democrat Roy Cooper as governor, partly due to an unpopular law passed by the previous governor. Cooper was re-elected in 2020. After the 2020 census, North Carolina gained another seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, for a total of 14 seats. After the 2024 elections, the state was represented by 10 Republicans and 4 Democrats.

Number of Voters	Percentage
Republican	2,325,833	30.14%
Democratic	2,316,946	30.02%
Minor parties	51,256	0.66%
Unaffiliated	3,022,660	39.17%
7,716,695	100.00%

Sports

Main article: Sports in North Carolina

North Carolina is home to several major league sports teams. The Carolina Panthers play football, the Charlotte Hornets play basketball, Charlotte FC play soccer, and the Carolina Hurricanes play hockey. The Hurricanes won a big championship called the Stanley Cup in 2006.

Even though North Carolina doesn’t have a Major League Baseball team, it has many minor league teams, like the Charlotte Knights and the Durham Bulls. The state is also famous for car racing, especially NASCAR, with big races held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Golf is popular too, with North Carolina hosting important tournaments at places like Pinehurst Resort.

College sports are very popular in North Carolina. Many schools compete at the top level, and games between rival teams like North Carolina, Duke, North Carolina State, and Wake Forest draw big crowds. Charlotte hosts big college basketball events and has been the site of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four twice.