Stop any random number of folks who have moved to North Carolina in the last decade and you'll get a variety of answers to the question: Why did you come here? They're not hard to find, by the way, as the U.S. Census reports that 1.5 million more people are North Carolina residents than in 2000, the year of the last census. Some were family additions, of course, but many are newcomers by choice.
Given that the pattern of growth seems to be continuing, one can only imagine what the reports will say a decade from now. Perhaps some of the traditional heavyweights like Ohio or Michigan or Illinois will see the Tar Heel State closing in the rear view mirror.
Professional observers such as social and political scientists and business experts say people have flocked to North Carolina for a variety of reasons, ranging from professional opportunity related to universities and growing high-tech industry to retirement to children's desire to stay close to aging parents.
Many graduates of the state's well-regarded universities have decided to grow roots here, and there are others who just can't get enough of the wide range of leisure activities the state offers, literally from mountains to coast.
And even with the growth of the last decade and of previous decades, there's still plenty of elbow room.
Bulking up
The Census officials say the state grew 18.5 percent in the last 10 years, tops in the Southeast. The growth was spread around all parts of the state, not confined to urban areas - although regions such as the Triangle and counties surrounding Charlotte experienced an outsized share. And the rate reflects continued double-digit growth in every decade of the last century.
Why is it important that North Carolina is now the 10th largest state in the country? More federal funding will be available for transportation and education, among other things. Growth signals optimism for the economy, despite the travails of the lingering recession. And the state will be in a position to gain clout politically. (Unfortunately, we were 15,000 new folks short of getting a 14th seat in the U.S. House.)
The state becomes, with this figure, not just one of the most significant in the South, but in the country. North Carolina's leaders will be looked to for advice on shaping national policy. And if we do it right, we can have an impact, for example, on conservation and energy initiatives. Gov. Beverly Perdue can perhaps use more of a national spotlight to promote North Carolina as a progressive state in a more progressive South.
Leaders' roles
Let us hope as well that the new leaders of the General Assembly - Republicans taking over after a long alienation from real power - will recognize that the state's new stature confers on them a responsibility to construct an enlightened legislative program. Such a program will be one that, while reflecting their conservative beliefs, goes beyond satisfying the few to serving the many.
North Carolina is no stranger to the national spotlight. Terry Sanford as governor in the dawn of the 1960s advocated enlightened civil rights policies and Jim Hunt and Jesse Helms also brought the state to that spotlight, albeit from different sides of the stage, during their long and largely parallel tenures as governor and U.S. senator.
But being the 10th largest state goes beyond having a charismatic political personality on site. It is a practical fact that should make North Carolina a bigger player in its own right.
