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State index

North Carolina state guide

Compare large North Carolina cities by 2025 Census population, young-grad fit, BLS state unemployment, schooling access, cost pressure, commute, and safety-check notes. The current North Carolina subset includes 151 South city pages with a combined 2025 population estimate of 5,944,332.

What the current North Carolina catalog shows

Wendell, North Carolina has the strongest verified population-growth signal in this North Carolina subset at +100.05% since the 2020 estimates base. Rolesville, North Carolina has the lowest ACS rent-to-income baseline among the matched catalog cities at 8.7%. These figures describe the WhereToLive.us city subset, not a statewide average.

Catalog cities 151

151 have matched ACS place data.

Catalog median rent $1,141

Median of matched city ACS gross-rent estimates; not a statewide rent.

Catalog median income $71,384

Median of matched city ACS household-income estimates; not a statewide income.

Catalog median home value $281,700

Median of matched city ACS owner-occupied home values.

Average grad fit 71/100

Apex, North Carolina leads this subset at 84/100.

Catalog median commute 25.4 min

Median of matched city approximate ACS commute estimates.

City Catalog Grad fit Median rent Median income 2025 population City unemployment Growth Jobs Cost
Charlotte, North Carolina #14 81/100 $1,612 $82,068 964,784 4.6% +10.30% competitive rent stretched
Raleigh, North Carolina #39 77/100 $1,572 $85,395 506,306 4.4% +8.16% competitive rent watch
Greensboro, North Carolina #67 69/100 $1,172 $61,515 308,667 5.1% +3.17% competitive rent watch
Durham, North Carolina #70 73/100 $1,508 $81,619 305,561 3.8% +7.64% competitive rent watch
Winston-Salem, North Carolina #90 72/100 $1,087 $59,268 257,271 5.7% +3.09% competitive rent watch
Fayetteville, North Carolina North Carolina coverage 65/100 $1,250 $58,407 209,120 7.9% +0.33% competitive rent stretched
Cary, North Carolina North Carolina coverage 77/100 $1,738 $134,905 183,582 3.5% +5.03% competitive rent-friendly
Wilmington, North Carolina North Carolina coverage 77/100 $1,395 $66,738 126,809 4.3% +9.80% competitive rent stretched
High Point, North Carolina North Carolina coverage 73/100 $1,116 $64,561 120,571 5.2% +5.69% competitive rent watch
Concord, North Carolina North Carolina coverage 77/100 $1,451 $86,921 114,598 5.5% +8.81% competitive rent watch
Greenville, North Carolina 2025 population #360 75/100 $1,007 $49,748 96,443 9.0% +8.04% competitive rent stretched
Asheville, North Carolina 2025 population #375 66/100 $1,402 $71,102 93,523 5.1% -1.28% competitive rent stretched
Gastonia, North Carolina 2025 population #416 68/100 $1,204 $64,059 87,067 5.7% +8.22% competitive rent watch
Apex, North Carolina 2025 population #463 84/100 $1,902 $144,135 80,419 3.8% +24.94% competitive rent-friendly
Jacksonville, North Carolina 2025 population #532 57/100 $1,321 $57,697 72,732 7.4% +0.13% competitive rent stretched
Huntersville, North Carolina 2025 population #571 81/100 $1,834 $120,516 68,535 3.2% +11.59% competitive rent watch
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 2025 population #628 70/100 $1,613 $85,989 63,565 4.5% +2.08% competitive rent watch
Kannapolis, North Carolina 2025 population #652 77/100 $1,319 $73,836 61,708 4.1% +16.04% competitive rent watch
Burlington, North Carolina 2025 population #655 72/100 $1,051 $56,880 61,496 6.5% +7.18% competitive rent watch
Wake Forest, North Carolina 2025 population #709 83/100 $1,596 $123,802 58,147 4.0% +21.12% competitive rent-friendly
Mooresville, North Carolina 2025 population #741 79/100 $1,626 $89,647 55,842 4.4% +11.04% competitive rent watch
Rocky Mount, North Carolina 2025 population #750 65/100 $957 $55,534 55,120 8.0% +1.31% competitive rent watch
Holly Springs, North Carolina 2025 population #817 83/100 $2,021 $135,578 50,288 3.4% +21.87% competitive rent-friendly
Wilson, North Carolina 2025 population #833 63/100 $971 $52,485 49,572 6.7% +2.26% competitive rent watch
Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina 2025 population #852 83/100 $1,720 $115,497 48,536 3.6% +41.59% competitive rent-friendly
Hickory, North Carolina 2025 population #899 72/100 $1,063 $64,576 45,975 3.8% +5.39% competitive rent watch
Indian Trail, North Carolina 2025 population #940 76/100 $2,077 $108,483 44,303 5.3% +10.32% competitive rent watch
Monroe, North Carolina 2025 population #974 73/100 $1,246 $72,540 42,644 4.6% +23.12% competitive rent watch
Garner, North Carolina 2025 population #995 75/100 $1,549 $78,756 41,562 6.2% +32.10% competitive rent stretched
Salisbury, North Carolina 2025 population #1130 67/100 $1,071 $53,716 36,879 5.8% +4.08% competitive rent stretched
Leland, North Carolina 2025 population #1156 76/100 $1,735 $91,977 35,731 4.7% +52.93% competitive rent watch
Cornelius, North Carolina 2025 population #1185 81/100 $1,722 $113,767 35,094 2.4% +11.70% competitive rent watch
Goldsboro, North Carolina 2025 population #1188 63/100 $971 $48,540 35,012 8.0% +2.32% competitive rent stretched
New Bern, North Carolina 2025 population #1198 79/100 $1,081 $61,031 34,724 4.6% +10.87% competitive rent watch
Sanford, North Carolina 2025 population #1216 74/100 $1,052 $57,586 34,138 4.4% +13.05% competitive rent watch
Matthews, North Carolina 2025 population #1259 81/100 $1,764 $108,611 32,769 2.1% +11.36% competitive rent watch
Clayton, North Carolina 2025 population #1266 75/100 $1,661 $78,822 32,633 2.8% +24.01% competitive rent stretched
Morrisville, North Carolina 2025 population #1276 82/100 $1,858 $125,396 32,466 3.3% +8.77% competitive rent-friendly
Statesville, North Carolina 2025 population #1288 72/100 $1,000 $52,880 32,181 6.8% +12.96% competitive rent watch
Mint Hill, North Carolina 2025 population #1376 78/100 $1,528 $100,860 29,476 4.1% +11.44% competitive rent watch
Kernersville, North Carolina 2025 population #1391 78/100 $1,082 $71,918 29,128 2.7% +9.86% competitive rent watch
Asheboro, North Carolina 2025 population #1443 64/100 $906 $47,197 27,990 4.0% +2.87% competitive rent watch
Thomasville, North Carolina 2025 population #1454 68/100 $879 $60,935 27,733 4.6% +2.43% competitive rent-friendly
Shelby, North Carolina 2025 population #1711 67/100 $945 $48,376 23,309 3.6% +6.46% competitive rent stretched
Knightdale, North Carolina 2025 population #1721 80/100 $1,674 $103,220 23,144 3.4% +18.57% competitive rent watch
Waxhaw, North Carolina 2025 population #1722 82/100 $1,840 $131,894 23,140 4.9% +12.61% competitive rent-friendly
Clemmons, North Carolina 2025 population #1741 79/100 $1,269 $87,655 22,808 4.5% +7.70% competitive rent-friendly
Mebane, North Carolina 2025 population #1801 78/100 $1,283 $83,174 21,952 3.9% +23.66% competitive rent watch
Carrboro, North Carolina 2025 population #1866 67/100 $1,470 $85,743 20,962 3.6% -1.55% competitive rent watch
Harrisburg, North Carolina 2025 population #1882 80/100 $2,640 $148,254 20,742 3.0% +9.09% competitive rent watch
Lexington, North Carolina 2025 population #1928 63/100 $893 $43,128 20,238 6.0% +3.07% competitive rent stretched
Graham, North Carolina 2025 population #1935 70/100 $1,071 $56,239 20,131 6.8% +17.27% competitive rent watch
Boone, North Carolina 2025 population #1952 62/100 $1,111 $30,065 19,929 12.0% +4.19% competitive high rent burden
Kinston, North Carolina 2025 population #1973 56/100 $867 $36,878 19,705 16.1% -0.52% competitive rent stretched
Wendell, North Carolina 2025 population #1974 79/100 $1,457 $95,787 19,687 1.3% +100.05% competitive rent watch
Elizabeth City, North Carolina 2025 population #1980 66/100 $1,117 $52,141 19,622 7.0% +5.26% competitive rent stretched
Mount Holly, North Carolina 2025 population #2020 73/100 $1,256 $79,385 19,033 5.5% +7.59% competitive rent watch
Lumberton, North Carolina 2025 population #2033 59/100 $866 $42,877 18,955 5.6% -1.84% competitive rent stretched
Pinehurst, North Carolina 2025 population #2052 77/100 $1,664 $109,802 18,670 5.2% +6.17% competitive rent watch
Lenoir, North Carolina 2025 population #2080 65/100 $664 $49,910 18,372 4.6% +0.07% competitive rent-friendly
Hope Mills, North Carolina 2025 population #2082 65/100 $1,141 $65,774 18,324 8.2% +2.55% competitive rent watch
Morganton, North Carolina 2025 population #2128 63/100 $944 $51,355 17,849 3.8% +2.25% competitive rent watch
Albemarle, North Carolina 2025 population #2131 69/100 $880 $46,881 17,769 5.6% +8.01% competitive rent watch
Stallings, North Carolina 2025 population #2132 81/100 $1,882 $115,974 17,760 5.3% +10.24% competitive rent watch
Havelock, North Carolina 2025 population #2166 66/100 $1,280 $58,408 17,430 4.9% +4.15% competitive rent stretched
Southern Pines, North Carolina 2025 population #2176 81/100 $1,354 $88,535 17,357 6.7% +11.21% competitive rent watch
Davidson, North Carolina 2025 population #2245 83/100 $1,652 $166,556 16,662 4.1% +9.95% competitive rent-friendly
Belmont, North Carolina 2025 population #2271 81/100 $1,365 $94,883 16,415 4.0% +9.39% competitive rent-friendly
Hendersonville, North Carolina 2025 population #2324 67/100 $1,332 $53,449 15,867 3.2% +4.51% competitive rent stretched
Eden, North Carolina 2025 population #2365 64/100 $799 $47,260 15,500 8.3% +0.55% competitive rent watch
Henderson, North Carolina 2025 population #2404 59/100 $848 $39,969 15,013 9.4% -0.92% competitive rent stretched
Reidsville, North Carolina 2025 population #2437 61/100 $822 $42,921 14,692 6.4% +0.74% competitive rent watch
Laurinburg, North Carolina 2025 population #2455 61/100 $774 $42,170 14,582 11.0% -2.59% competitive rent watch
Weddington, North Carolina 2025 population #2464 82/100 $1,927 $190,766 14,517 1.8% +10.15% competitive rent-friendly
Lewisville, North Carolina 2025 population #2478 79/100 $1,095 $100,917 14,421 1.9% +7.76% competitive rent-friendly
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina 2025 population #2484 56/100 $858 $53,690 14,386 8.1% -5.59% competitive rent watch
Newton, North Carolina 2025 population #2558 69/100 $1,091 $62,015 13,822 6.2% +5.28% competitive rent watch
Smithfield, North Carolina 2025 population #2654 74/100 $658 $43,270 13,114 7.2% +16.01% competitive rent watch
Rolesville, North Carolina 2025 population #2697 83/100 $1,085 $149,565 12,839 3.7% +32.87% competitive rent-friendly
Lincolnton, North Carolina 2025 population #2760 71/100 $965 $46,320 12,465 3.8% +12.53% competitive rent stretched
Archdale, North Carolina 2025 population #2792 67/100 $1,034 $64,757 12,254 2.5% +3.07% competitive rent watch
Kings Mountain, North Carolina 2025 population #2816 68/100 $959 $49,564 12,117 7.7% +7.49% competitive rent stretched
Zebulon, North Carolina 2025 population #2843 77/100 $1,109 $79,112 11,933 7.1% +72.57% competitive rent-friendly
Pineville, North Carolina 2025 population #2859 76/100 $1,552 $69,354 11,851 5.2% +11.75% competitive rent stretched
Elon, North Carolina 2025 population #2931 63/100 $2,080 $84,773 11,366 5.1% +0.20% competitive rent stretched
Summerfield, North Carolina 2025 population #2940 76/100 $1,521 $160,275 11,327 2.1% +3.42% competitive rent-friendly
Spring Lake, North Carolina 2025 population #2952 53/100 $1,351 $51,958 11,252 5.4% -3.70% competitive high rent burden
Waynesville, North Carolina 2025 population #3004 74/100 $1,070 $54,923 11,006 1.9% +8.65% competitive rent stretched
Tarboro, North Carolina 2025 population #3010 66/100 $843 $49,796 10,979 4.5% +2.49% competitive rent watch
Winterville, North Carolina 2025 population #3011 71/100 $1,534 $83,193 10,973 5.4% +4.86% competitive rent watch
Mount Airy, North Carolina 2025 population #3067 63/100 $725 $40,275 10,682 4.1% +0.15% competitive rent watch
Morehead City, North Carolina 2025 population #3121 74/100 $1,134 $56,233 10,434 2.0% +9.03% competitive rent stretched
Aberdeen, North Carolina 2025 population #3211 76/100 $1,244 $75,078 10,066 3.7% +18.13% competitive rent watch
Washington, North Carolina 2025 population #3245 58/100 $856 $40,186 9,910 3.5% -1.46% competitive rent stretched
Gibsonville, North Carolina 2025 population #3249 79/100 $1,034 $95,861 9,876 3.3% +10.41% competitive rent-friendly
Hillsborough, North Carolina 2025 population #3268 73/100 $1,368 $98,163 9,778 4.1% +1.28% competitive rent-friendly
Wesley Chapel, North Carolina 2025 population #3309 71/100 $3,191 $132,188 9,566 3.8% +10.28% competitive rent stretched
Angier, North Carolina 2025 population #3347 75/100 $894 $52,214 9,410 5.1% +75.36% competitive rent watch
Oak Island, North Carolina 2025 population #3370 79/100 $1,339 $85,872 9,337 3.0% +11.21% competitive rent watch
Oxford, North Carolina 2025 population #3465 57/100 $995 $43,054 8,985 7.0% +2.30% competitive rent stretched
Conover, North Carolina 2025 population #3475 72/100 $898 $65,972 8,938 3.3% +6.03% competitive rent-friendly
Rockingham, North Carolina 2025 population #3514 57/100 $659 $37,224 8,815 11.3% -4.66% competitive rent watch
Dunn, North Carolina 2025 population #3515 67/100 $788 $46,830 8,814 3.2% +4.16% competitive rent watch
Black Mountain, North Carolina 2025 population #3599 68/100 $1,652 $77,042 8,491 3.9% +0.78% competitive rent stretched
Clinton, North Carolina 2025 population #3609 64/100 $759 $44,953 8,466 4.9% +1.10% competitive rent watch
Roxboro, North Carolina 2025 population #3633 58/100 $860 $36,553 8,380 13.5% +3.23% competitive rent stretched
Fletcher, North Carolina 2025 population #3635 70/100 $1,484 $75,272 8,373 3.0% +5.25% competitive rent stretched
Woodfin, North Carolina 2025 population #3681 69/100 $1,546 $71,384 8,229 3.0% +3.63% competitive rent stretched
Siler City, North Carolina 2025 population #3706 67/100 $1,000 $46,566 8,155 4.7% +5.69% competitive rent stretched
Butner, North Carolina 2025 population #3713 66/100 $1,307 $74,739 8,112 5.5% +2.04% competitive rent watch
Brevard, North Carolina 2025 population #3718 72/100 $979 $54,103 8,098 3.6% +4.67% competitive rent watch
King, North Carolina 2025 population #3752 74/100 $895 $57,817 7,977 1.0% +10.84% competitive rent watch
Oak Ridge, North Carolina 2025 population #3773 71/100 $3,009 $155,385 7,896 2.5% +3.40% competitive rent stretched
Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina 2025 population #3830 70/100 $1,626 $89,773 7,731 7.1% +1.16% competitive rent watch
Mills River, North Carolina 2025 population #3895 76/100 $1,551 $105,398 7,504 2.8% +5.44% competitive rent-friendly
Marion, North Carolina 2025 population #3916 61/100 $762 $51,314 7,440 5.4% -3.14% competitive rent-friendly
Forest City, North Carolina 2025 population #3927 55/100 $813 $35,524 7,410 7.5% +0.76% competitive rent stretched
Selma, North Carolina 2025 population #3929 70/100 $820 $41,368 7,406 4.9% +17.28% competitive rent stretched
Unionville, North Carolina 2025 population #3966 76/100 $978 $96,028 7,322 4.1% +10.42% competitive rent-friendly
St. James, North Carolina 2025 population #3969 74/100 ACS pending $116,383 7,318 6.2% +12.00% competitive watch rent
Trinity, North Carolina 2025 population #3981 69/100 $955 $82,664 7,274 3.2% +3.44% competitive rent-friendly
Marvin, North Carolina 2025 population #4052 78/100 ACS pending $250,001 7,040 4.0% +10.31% competitive watch rent
Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina 2025 population #4114 71/100 $1,385 $62,676 6,875 3.5% +15.82% competitive rent stretched
Carolina Beach, North Carolina 2025 population #4116 75/100 $1,513 $94,398 6,870 7.8% +4.49% competitive rent watch
Cherryville, North Carolina 2025 population #4237 73/100 $1,059 $70,625 6,523 3.0% +7.22% competitive rent-friendly
Dallas, North Carolina 2025 population #4285 74/100 $872 $58,403 6,392 4.5% +7.85% competitive rent-friendly
Mocksville, North Carolina 2025 population #4319 70/100 $892 $55,367 6,282 4.2% +6.62% competitive rent watch
Stokesdale, North Carolina 2025 population #4365 73/100 $1,450 $121,071 6,133 1.9% +3.58% competitive rent-friendly
Locust, North Carolina 2025 population #4374 74/100 $895 $76,504 6,120 3.6% +34.42% competitive rent-friendly
Walkertown, North Carolina 2025 population #4375 75/100 $1,379 $82,615 6,120 2.5% +7.71% competitive rent watch
Nashville, North Carolina 2025 population #4457 69/100 $1,073 $61,000 5,911 7.0% +4.99% competitive rent watch
Holly Ridge, North Carolina 2025 population #4458 83/100 $1,315 $104,788 5,908 1.6% +41.61% competitive rent-friendly
Hamlet, North Carolina 2025 population #4478 60/100 $640 $41,590 5,870 8.7% -2.56% competitive rent watch
Bessemer City, North Carolina 2025 population #4491 71/100 $1,053 $60,300 5,834 5.9% +7.46% competitive rent watch
Cramerton, North Carolina 2025 population #4549 75/100 $1,364 $82,160 5,713 3.5% +7.53% competitive rent watch
Archer Lodge, North Carolina 2025 population #4571 76/100 $1,458 $91,188 5,649 0.0% +18.03% competitive rent watch
Carolina Shores, North Carolina 2025 population #4628 68/100 $1,973 $76,087 5,540 3.9% +20.93% competitive high rent burden
Whispering Pines, North Carolina 2025 population #4645 78/100 $2,336 $126,450 5,505 3.3% +10.74% competitive rent watch
Long View, North Carolina 2025 population #4700 70/100 $794 $46,739 5,387 2.5% +5.96% competitive rent watch
Shallotte, North Carolina 2025 population #4718 77/100 $1,256 $88,367 5,335 3.1% +27.11% competitive rent-friendly
Ayden, North Carolina 2025 population #4755 67/100 $778 $42,413 5,263 6.7% +3.64% competitive rent watch
Pleasant Garden, North Carolina 2025 population #4796 69/100 $1,416 $88,204 5,165 1.9% +3.44% competitive rent watch
Midland, North Carolina 2025 population #4805 78/100 $1,418 $101,477 5,151 1.8% +8.97% competitive rent-friendly
Surf City, North Carolina 2025 population #4813 78/100 $1,707 $81,433 5,142 2.8% +32.87% competitive rent stretched
Sawmills, North Carolina 2025 population #4836 67/100 $730 $71,067 5,105 8.0% +1.31% competitive rent-friendly
Midway, North Carolina 2025 population #4837 74/100 $778 $83,446 5,104 2.7% +7.63% competitive rent-friendly
Williamston, North Carolina 2025 population #4846 60/100 $684 $38,738 5,086 9.8% -2.99% competitive rent watch
Pittsboro, North Carolina 2025 population #4868 80/100 $1,211 $81,639 5,054 1.1% +11.27% competitive rent-friendly
Creedmoor, North Carolina 2025 population #4872 70/100 $1,065 $82,961 5,046 8.2% +2.81% competitive rent-friendly
Lillington, North Carolina 2025 population #4876 68/100 $997 $81,760 5,040 3.9% +3.05% competitive rent-friendly
Wadesboro, North Carolina 2025 population #4882 59/100 $906 $42,667 5,035 7.0% +0.08% competitive rent stretched