New census data shows growth picked up in NC. How many people live here now?
North Carolina’s population growth accelerated last year, as the state topped 11 million residents for the first time, according to new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
North Carolina added an estimated 164,835 people to its population in the year ending last July 1, more than all other states except Texas, Florida and California. The state’s rate of growth — 1.5% — was the eighth fastest during that time and outpaced the national growth rate of about 1%.
North Carolina had an estimated 11,046,024 residents last July 1, the Census Bureau said Thursday. It remains the country’s ninth most populous state but is gaining on Georgia, which had nearly 11.2 million residents.
The South was the only region with net migration from other parts of the country, and North Carolina continues to be a popular destination. An estimated 82,288 new residents arrived from other states last year, second only to Texas with 85,267 and well ahead of third place South Carolina, at 68,043.
Nationwide, migrants from outside the country accounted for the bulk of population growth. About 84% of the 3.3 million increase in the national population between 2023 and 2024 was the result of international migration, according to the Census Bureau.
Natural population growth — the surplus of births over deaths — has rebounded since reaching historic lows during the COVID-19 pandemic, but remains below levels in recent decades.
“An annual growth rate of 1% is higher than what we’ve seen over recent years but well within historical norms,” Census Bureau demographer Kristie Wilder said in a written statement. “What stands out is the diminishing role of natural increase over the last five years, as net international migration has become the primary driver of the nation’s growth.”
Births outnumbered deaths in 33 states and the District of Columbia, while 17 states saw more deaths than births. Every state added population last year except for three: West Virginia, Mississippi and Vermont. Their combined loss was less than 900 people.
