Between 2017 and 2018, North Carolina gained nearly 113,000 new residents according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Looking specifically at race and ethnicity, nearly one-third (32%) of the state’s population growth since 2017 was from growth in the white population, which grew by 36,466 persons between 2017 and 2018. The state’s population of Hispanic or Latino residents had the second largest numeric increase over this period, growing by 32,355 persons (29% of statewide growth). The black population grew by 22,722 over this same time period while the Asian and Pacific Islander population increased by 14,302. The populations of individuals of two or more races (6,355) and American Indian (620) also increased over this time period.
As of 2018, North Carolina’s population was:
- 63% white
- 21% black or African-American
- 10% Hispanic or Latino
- 3.1% Asian or Pacific Islander
- 1.9% two or more races
- 1.1% were American Indian or Alaska Native.
Here are some of the county-specific highlights for each of these major racial/ethnic groups within the state:
White (Non-Hispanic)
Wakehad the largest non-Hispanic white population of any North Carolina county in 2018 (653,485) and the largest increase since 2017 (8,049). In 10 counties, the non-Hispanic white population was more than 90% of the total population in 2018.Madisonhad the highest percentage white (94%).
Tyrellhad the smallest non-Hispanic white population in 2018 (2,044).Robesonhad the smallest proportion white in 2018 (25%). Between 2017 and 2018, the non-Hispanic white population declined in nearly half of North Carolina’s counties (46);Cumberlandhad the largest estimated decrease (-2,265) since 2017.
Black (Non-Hispanic)
Mecklenburghad both the largest black population of any North Carolina county (344,243) and the largest numeric increase since 2017 (6,122). Seven counties are majority black;Bertiehas the highest percentage of black residents in the state (61%).
Grahamhad the smallest black population (37) in 2018, representing 0.4% of its population, the smallest proportion in the state. Mitchellalso had fewer than 100 black residents in 2018. The black population declined in 44 of the state’s 100 counties;Edgecombehad the largest numeric decrease (-498) in its black population since 2017.
Hispanic
Mecklenburghad the largest Hispanic population of any North Carolina county on July 1, 2018 (148,351) and the largest numeric increase of the Hispanic population since July 1, 2017 (5,398).Duplinhad the highest percentage of Hispanics at 23%.
Gateshad the smallest Hispanic population (263) in 2018.Bertiehad the lowest share of Hispanics (2%).
Asian and Pacific Islander (Non-Hispanic)
Wakehad both the largest Asian and Pacific Islander population (81,733) in 2018 and the largest numeric increase since 2017 (4,566).Orangehad the highest percentage of Asians, 8.2%.
Hydehad the smallest Asian population (40) in 2018. Fifteen additional counties had fewer than 100 Asian residents in 2018.Northamptonhad the smallest percentage of Asians (0.2%) in the state.
American Indian and Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
Robesonhad the largest population of American Indian and Alaska Natives (52,413) in July 2018, more than ten times larger than the second largest population inCumberland(4,870).Wakehad the largest numeric increase since 2017 (66). Robeson had the highest percentage of American Indian residents (40%), followed by Swain (27%).
Tyrrellhad the smallest American Indian and Alaska Native population (11) in 2018. Twenty other counties had fewer than 100 American Indian/Alaska Native residents in 2018.Wilkeshad the smallest percentage of American Indians (0.2%) in the state.
Multiracial (Non-Hispanic)
Wakehad the largest population of multiracial individuals (23,095) in July 2018 and the largest numeric increase since 2017 (843). Swain had the highest percentage of multiracial residents (4.4%). Other counties with high proportions of multiracial residents were notably in communities with a strong military presence: Onslow (Camp Lejeune) and Cumberland and Hoke (Fort Bragg).
Hydehad the smallest multiracial population (68) in 2018.Yanceyhad the smallest percentage of multiracial residents (0.9%) in the state.
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Categories: NC in Focus
FAQs
Wake had the largest non-Hispanic white population of any North Carolina county in 2018 (653,485) and the largest increase since 2017 (8,049). In 10 counties, the non-Hispanic white population was more than 90% of the total population in 2018. Madison had the highest percentage white (94%).
What is the blackest county in North Carolina? ›
Bertie County had the highest population proportion black or African American in 2013, 61.6%.
What are the demographics of the US population by race? ›
Racial categories
| 2021 estimates, including separate category for Latino / Hispanic |
|---|
| White | 59.3% |
| Hispanic and Latino | 18.9% |
| Black | 12.6% |
| Asian | 5.9% |
5 more rowsThe 5 largest ethnic groups in North Carolina are White (Non-Hispanic) (62.1%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (20.8%), White (Hispanic) (4.16%), Other (Hispanic) (3.27%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.01%).
What city in NC has the highest white population? ›
What is the whitest city in North Carolina for ? According to the most recent census data Oak Island ranks as the whitest.
What city in NC has a high black population? ›
Based on its research, RoadSnacks reports that Wadesboro - population 5, 305- had the highest percentage of citizens identifying as African American in the state of North Carolina for 2021, at 72.05%. Henderson - population 14, 948 - had the second largest percentage of Black citizens at 66.66%.
What is the predominantly black town in North Carolina? ›
Princeville is a town in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, United States established by freed slaves after the Civil War. It was established in 1865 and known as Freedom Hill. It was incorporated in 1885 as Princeville, the first independently governed African American community chartered in the United States.
What part of North Carolina is mostly black? ›
African-American communities number by the hundreds in rural counties in the south-central and northeast North Carolina, and in predominantly black neighborhoods in the cities of Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, Fayetteville, Wilmington, and Winston-Salem.
Where is the poorest county in North Carolina? ›
Washington County, the poorest county in North Carolina, was established in 1799, carved from the western part of Tyrrell County. It was named in honor of George Washington.
What is the biggest race in America? ›
Currently, the white population makes up the vast majority of the United States' population, accounting for some 251.6 million people in 2022. This ethnicity group contributes to the highest share of the population in every region, but is especially noticeable in the Midwestern region.
The Han Chinese are the world's largest single ethnic group, constituting over 19% of the global population in 2011.
What race has the largest population in the world? ›
The world's largest ethnic group is Han Chinese with Mandarin being the world's most spoken language in terms of native speakers.
What state has the most black people? ›
The ten states with the largest non-Hispanic black population in 2020 were Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia.
What are the fastest growing counties in NC? ›
The three fastest growing counties in NC from the decennial 2020 Census to July 2023 were along the coast. Brunswick County grew the most at 17%, followed by Pender (13.8%) and Currituck (12.4%). Franklin (12.2%) and Johnston (12%) counties rounded out the top five. Eighteen counties lost population (shaded yellow).
Why are there so many Mexicans in NC? ›
Most Hispanic North Carolinians are descendants of immigrants, and many, like Izzi, were born and raised in North Carolina. In fact, of those living in North Carolina in 2021, one of every three (34%) was born in North Carolina and another 27% were born in another state or were born abroad of American citizens.
What is the whitest neighborhood in NC? ›
North Carolina White Population Percentage City Rank
| Rank | White Population Percentage ▼ | City / Population |
|---|
| 1. | 100.0% | Aquadale, NC / 397 |
| 1. | 100.0% | Grandfather, NC / 25 |
| 3. | 99.7% | Cedar Rock, NC / 300 |
| 4. | 98.6% | Davis, NC / 422 |
160 more rowsRaleigh was the second-most ethnically diverse city in North Carolina on the list, followed by Durham, Cary, High Point and Fayetteville. Wilmington is the least diverse city in the state among those included on the list, according to the report.
What race is dominant in North Carolina? ›
Race and ethnicity (White alone 61.6%; Black alone 12.4%; Hispanic 18.7%; Asian alone 6%; American Indian and Alaska Native alone 1.1%; Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone 0.2%; Some Other Race alone 8.4%; Two or More Races 10.2%). Diversity Index (61.1%, up from 54.9%).
What percent of NC is white? ›
Statewide, 60% of North Carolina's residents identified as White, 20% as Black or African American, 11% as Hispanic or Latinx, 3.9% as Multiracial, 3.3% as Asian, 1% as American Indian, 0.4% as some other race, and 0.1% as Pacific Islander.
