North Carolina Demographics

A map of North Carolina's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	6,438,593	6,312,148	60.0%	60.5%
Black	2,146,633	2,107,526	20.0%	20.2%
Hispanic	1,213,850	1,118,596	11.3%	10.7%
Multiracial	434,921	406,853	4.1%	3.9%
Asian	351,050	340,059	3.3%	3.3%
Native American/Other	145,357	154,206	1.4%	1.5%

North Carolina has an estimated population of 10,730,404, a slight increase from the 10,439,388 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 60.0% White, 20.0% Black, 11.3% Hispanic, 4.1% Multiracial, 3.3% Asian, and 1.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of North Carolina, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

North Carolina is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In North Carolina, that probability was 57.9% in 2020 and 58.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

North Carolina is ranked the 9th most populous state in the United States, out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. North Carolina was ranked the 9th most populous state in the 2020 Census.

North Carolina's White Population

6,438,593 residents of North Carolina, or 60.0% of the population, identify as White. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, North Carolina is 33rd in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, North Carolina's White population has grown by an estimated 2.0%. White residents' share of North Carolina's population has decreased from 60.5% to 60.0%.

North Carolina is more White than neighboring Virginia (58.4% White), District of Columbia (36.5% White), and Maryland (46.6% White). North Carolina is less White than neighboring South Carolina (61.9% White), and West Virginia (89.7% White),

North Carolina's Black Population

2,146,633 residents of North Carolina, or 20.0% of the population, identify as Black. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, North Carolina is 9th in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, North Carolina's Black population has grown by an estimated 1.9%. Black residents' share of North Carolina's population has remained roughly unchanged at 20.0%.

North Carolina is more Black than neighboring Virginia (18.3% Black), and West Virginia (3.1% Black). North Carolina is less Black than neighboring South Carolina (24.6% Black), District of Columbia (41.6% Black). and Maryland (28.9% Black).

North Carolina's Asian Population

351,050 residents of North Carolina, or 3.3% of the population, identify as Asian. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, North Carolina is 24th in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, North Carolina's Asian population has grown by an estimated 3.2%. Asian residents' share of North Carolina's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.3%.

North Carolina is more Asian than neighboring South Carolina (1.7% Asian), and West Virginia (0.8% Asian). North Carolina is less Asian than neighboring Virginia (6.9% Asian), District of Columbia (4.3% Asian). and Maryland (6.5% Asian).

North Carolina's Hispanic Population

1,213,850 residents of North Carolina, or 11.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, North Carolina is 23rd in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, North Carolina's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 8.5%. Hispanic residents' share of North Carolina's population has increased from 10.7% to 11.3%.

North Carolina is more Hispanic than neighboring Virginia (11% Hispanic), South Carolina (7.4% Hispanic), and West Virginia (2.1% Hispanic). North Carolina is less Hispanic than neighboring District of Columbia (11.9% Hispanic), and Maryland (12.5% Hispanic),

North Carolina's Native American/Other Population

145,357 residents of North Carolina, or 1.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, North Carolina is 15th in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, North Carolina's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 5.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of North Carolina's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.4%.

North Carolina is more Native American/Other than neighboring Virginia (0.8% Native American/Other), South Carolina (0.7% Native American/Other), West Virginia (0.4% Native American/Other), District of Columbia (0.8% Native American/Other), and Maryland (0.8% Native American/Other).

North Carolina's Multiracial Population

434,921 residents of North Carolina, or 4.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, North Carolina is 30th in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, North Carolina's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 6.9%. Multiracial residents' share of North Carolina's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.1%.

North Carolina is more Multiracial than neighboring South Carolina (3.7% Multiracial), and West Virginia (3.9% Multiracial). North Carolina is less Multiracial than neighboring Virginia (4.7% Multiracial), District of Columbia (4.9% Multiracial). and Maryland (4.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.