NC Hispanic and Asian populations keep growing. Here’s what to know

North Carolina’s Hispanic and Asian populations continued to expand last year, despite federal immigration crackdowns, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates released last month. The growth has helped slow the aging of the state’s overall population, because these two groups are younger on average than the white and Black population.

FULL STORY, with maps and charts: What does the latest Census data show about NC’s demographics? Find out here.

Here are key takeaways:

• North Carolina’s Hispanic population grew by an estimated 30,179 people, or 4.5%, in the year ending June 30, 2025. That’s slower than the 6.6% growth rate the previous year.
• The estimate covers the first six months of the Trump administration, which prioritized closing the Southern border and deporting unauthorized immigrants. Census estimates don’t factor in legal status.
• North Carolina’s Asian population has grown 32% since 2020, more than any other race or ethnic group in the state.
• The state’s under-18 population has grown by nearly 53,000 since 2020, helping slow the rise in median age to 39.5 years.
• Residents age 65 and older now make up 19% of North Carolina’s population, up from 17% in 2020, while those under 18 dropped from 22% to 21%.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.

This story was originally published July 18, 2026 at 7:05 AM.