100 Biggest Cities In North Carolina For 2026

Using the latest Census data, we detail the 100 biggest cities in North Carolina. You can all see a comprehensive list of all 439 cities and places in North Carolina.

We all love the biggest cities that the Tar Heel State has to offer. You know the places like Charlotte and Raleigh which make all the headlines.

But there are a bunch of other great large cities in North Carolina that don't get as much love.

We're going to change that right now.

Using the most recent Census data, we can tell you about all the places in North Carolina with a focus on the biggest. We update the data each year and this is our fourth time doing this.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Table

You can click here to see a full table of the full of the 100 biggest cities in North Carolina, along with every other place over 1,000 people big. It is sortable by clicking on the headers.

Read on below to see more on the biggest cities. Or for more reading on places to live in North Carolina, check out:

The 10 Biggest Cities In North Carolina

Charlotte, NC
Source: Wikipedia User Greengrass090 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility
7.5
/10

Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Population: 903,844.0
Population 2010: 705,896
Growth: 28.0%
More on Charlotte: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Raleigh, NC
Source: Wikipedia User Atlpedia | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility
8
/10

Rank Last Year: 2 (No Change)
Population: 481,031.0
Population 2010: 382,729
Growth: 25.7%
More on Raleigh: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Greensboro, NC
Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility
5
/10

Rank Last Year: 3 (No Change)
Population: 301,198.0
Population 2010: 263,358
Growth: 14.4%
More on Greensboro: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Durham, NC
Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility
6
/10

Rank Last Year: 4 (No Change)
Population: 291,467.0
Population 2010: 220,324
Growth: 32.3%
More on Durham: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Winston-Salem, NC
Source: Wikipedia User tweber1 | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility
7
/10

Rank Last Year: 5 (No Change)
Population: 252,037.0
Population 2010: 224,769
Growth: 12.1%
More on Winston-Salem: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Fayetteville, NC
Source: Wikipedia User Hegemanc | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility
4
/10

Rank Last Year: 6 (No Change)
Population: 210,815.0
Population 2010: 198,875
Growth: 6.0%
More on Fayetteville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Cary, NC
Source: Flickr User James Willamor | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility
9.5
/10

Rank Last Year: 7 (No Change)
Population: 179,306.0
Population 2010: 127,587
Growth: 40.5%
More on Cary: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Wilmington, NC
Source: Wikipedia User Jason W. Smith | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility
6
/10

Rank Last Year: 8 (No Change)
Population: 120,805.0
Population 2010: 104,730
Growth: 15.3%
More on Wilmington: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

High Point, NC
Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility
5
/10

Rank Last Year: 9 (No Change)
Population: 116,245.0
Population 2010: 100,903
Growth: 15.2%
More on High Point: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Concord, NC
Source: Wikipedia User AlexiusHoratius | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility
7
/10

Rank Last Year: 10 (No Change)
Population: 108,719.0
Population 2010: 75,172
Growth: 44.6%
More on Concord: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

How We Determined The Largest Cities In North Carolina

We've been ranking and dissecting cities in the Tar Heel State for over 4 years now -- making this actually the fourth time we've run the numbers. We always use the best data, the US Census. In this case, that means we are using the American Community Survey.

It what is probably the most simple analysis we run each year, we ranked every place in North Carolina from biggest to smallest. The biggest city this year? That would be Charlotte.

The smallest? Peletier, although there are places smaller than 1,000 people not listed here, so keep that in mind as we take a look at the top ten.

Now on to numbers 11-100 Biggest in North Carolina

We hope that you find the big city, or really any city, that's right for you. Below is a list of the rest of the biggest cities along with every other place in North Carolina.

Have fun snacking around in the Tar Heel State!

For more reading on North Carolina, check out:

Detailed List Of The Biggest Cities In North Carolina

RankCityCurrent Population2010Growth
1Charlotte903,844.0705,89628.0%
2Raleigh481,031.0382,72925.7%
3Greensboro301,198.0263,35814.4%
4Durham291,467.0220,32432.3%
5Winston-Salem252,037.0224,76912.1%
6Fayetteville210,815.0198,8756.0%
7Cary179,306.0127,58740.5%
8Wilmington120,805.0104,73015.3%
9High Point116,245.0100,90315.2%
10Concord108,719.075,17244.6%
11Asheville94,535.081,97015.3%
12Greenville92,857.080,43915.4%
13Gastonia82,884.070,70917.2%
14Jacksonville71,279.068,9893.3%
15Apex70,630.034,427105.2%
16Huntersville63,969.043,10648.4%
17Chapel Hill61,607.055,18011.6%
18Burlington59,610.048,73622.3%
19Kannapolis57,890.041,66338.9%
20Rocky Mount54,297.057,776-6.0%
21Wake Forest52,844.026,79097.3%
22Mooresville52,381.030,58271.3%
23Wilson48,370.048,2190.3%
24Holly Springs45,248.021,968106.0%
25Hickory44,258.039,93210.8%
26Indian Trail42,036.030,36238.4%
27Fuquay-Varina40,485.016,152150.7%
28Monroe36,759.032,29713.8%
29Salisbury35,825.033,0188.5%
30Garner34,473.024,41741.2%
31Goldsboro34,383.036,816-6.6%
32Cornelius32,783.022,97042.7%
33New Bern32,734.028,07316.6%
34Sanford31,478.026,89717.0%
35Morrisville31,422.016,14794.6%
36Matthews30,577.026,55615.1%
37Statesville29,894.024,61921.4%
38Leland29,607.011,925148.3%
39Clayton29,320.014,71499.3%
40Kernersville27,830.022,33724.6%
41Asheboro27,580.024,47812.7%
42Mint Hill27,556.021,94025.6%
43Thomasville27,321.026,3193.8%
44Waxhaw22,275.08,754154.5%
45Shelby22,100.020,4178.2%
46Clemmons21,871.018,14520.5%
47Carrboro21,204.019,07411.2%
48Knightdale20,214.010,47792.9%
49Boone20,032.016,56620.9%
50Lexington19,690.019,1552.8%
51Harrisburg19,633.010,32890.1%
52Mebane19,538.010,40187.8%
53Kinston19,505.021,998-11.3%
54Elizabeth City18,871.018,6471.2%
55Lumberton18,859.021,448-12.1%
56Lenoir18,299.018,2250.4%
57Pinehurst18,256.012,52145.8%
58Mount Holly18,208.012,91441.0%
59Graham18,048.013,92129.6%
60Hope Mills17,939.014,41624.4%
61Havelock17,691.020,624-14.2%
62Morganton17,646.016,9724.0%
63Stallings16,886.012,68233.1%
64Albemarle16,762.015,9125.3%
65Southern Pines16,420.012,11635.5%
66Murraysville16,339.013,29322.9%
67Davidson15,660.010,32051.7%
68Belmont15,546.09,82958.2%
69Hendersonville15,408.012,90019.4%
70Eden15,356.015,602-1.6%
71Laurinburg15,087.016,067-6.1%
72Henderson14,885.015,540-4.2%
73Roanoke Rapids14,856.015,865-6.4%
74Reidsville14,585.014,5110.5%
75Piney Green14,078.013,8481.7%
76Lewisville13,828.012,51810.5%
77Weddington13,805.09,20749.9%
78Newton13,333.012,9672.8%
79Wendell13,064.05,563134.8%
80Myrtle Grove12,637.08,62846.5%
81Smithfield12,116.010,97210.4%
82Archdale12,087.010,96410.2%
83Kings Mountain12,039.010,63113.2%
84Lincolnton11,783.010,44012.9%
85Spring Lake11,573.011,829-2.2%
86Summerfield11,116.09,61515.6%
87Pineville11,055.07,25152.5%
88Elon11,032.08,93323.5%
89Tarboro10,770.011,424-5.7%
90Rolesville10,766.03,289227.3%
91Winterville10,725.08,46226.7%
92Mount Airy10,633.010,5201.1%
93Waynesville10,502.09,9345.7%
94Lake Norman Of Catawba9,906.06,93142.9%
95Morehead City9,806.08,52315.1%
96Washington9,726.09,7080.2%
97Hillsborough9,724.05,97262.8%
98Gibsonville9,467.06,06356.1%
99St. Stephens9,457.09,3441.2%
100Hampstead9,292.03,707150.7%
101Aberdeen9,228.05,88456.8%
102Wesley Chapel9,090.06,70235.6%
103Oak Island9,030.06,81832.4%
104Kings Grant9,003.08,3487.8%
105Rockingham8,967.09,524-5.8%
106Oxford8,914.08,4905.0%
107Zebulon8,711.04,36899.4%
108Conover8,580.07,9288.2%
109Dunn8,559.09,123-6.2%
110Black Mountain8,513.07,8099.0%
111Clinton8,304.08,584-3.3%
112Ogden8,249.06,65224.0%
113Roxboro8,182.08,490-3.6%
114Fletcher8,098.06,68821.1%
115Butner8,065.07,4148.8%
116Woodfin8,048.05,91336.1%
117Siler City7,995.07,8012.5%
118Cullowhee7,973.04,74867.9%
119Etowah7,968.06,47923.0%
120Brevard7,897.07,4895.4%
121Kill Devil Hills7,761.06,63017.1%
122Oak Ridge7,744.05,80533.4%
123Porters Neck7,654.04,98853.4%
124Marion7,579.08,062-6.0%
125King7,408.06,66011.2%
126Half Moon7,378.08,162-9.6%
127Forest City7,363.07,487-1.7%
128Mills River7,281.06,6339.8%
129Trinity7,111.06,6287.3%
130St. James7,072.02,790153.5%
131Unionville6,954.05,85318.8%
132Swannanoa6,901.04,20064.3%
133Selma6,817.06,07212.3%
134Carolina Beach6,745.05,66519.1%
135Marvin6,692.04,88936.9%
136Silver Lake6,563.05,42621.0%
137Boiling Spring Lakes6,347.04,98227.4%
138East Flat Rock6,323.05,7539.9%
139Wrightsboro6,287.05,33217.9%
140Angier6,241.04,14050.7%
141Cherryville6,226.05,6979.3%
142Dallas6,104.04,35240.3%
143Mocksville6,068.04,95222.5%
144Stokesdale6,004.04,73226.9%
145Hamlet5,961.06,420-7.1%
146Westport5,915.03,30678.9%
147Northchase5,896.02,938100.7%
148Walke5,873.04,58128.2%
149Locust5,840.02,95997.4%
150Nashville5,729.05,21010.0%
151Moyock5,684.03,98742.6%
152Bessemer City5,580.05,3334.6%
153Cramerton5,450.03,94538.1%
154Whispering Pines5,211.02,77288.0%
155Archer Lodge5,186.04,04928.1%
156Ayden5,150.04,8625.9%
157Williamston5,112.05,514-7.3%
158Pleasant Garden5,060.04,53111.7%
159Sawmills5,042.05,193-2.9%
160Carolina Shores5,017.02,86375.2%
161Long View5,011.04,7725.0%
162Creedmoor4,997.03,82030.8%
163Wadesboro4,972.05,882-15.5%
164Granite Falls4,929.04,7214.4%
165Holly Ridge4,904.0667635.2%
166Midway4,897.04,6665.0%
167Midland4,860.02,97863.2%
168James City4,789.06,236-23.2%
169Ahoskie4,764.05,109-6.8%
170Boiling Springs4,757.04,4975.8%
171Pittsboro4,752.03,55533.7%
172Lillington4,709.03,17848.2%
173Valdese4,704.04,5343.7%
174Whiteville4,696.05,255-10.6%
175Beaufort4,689.03,99717.3%
176Weaverville4,687.03,10650.9%
177Erwin4,687.04,3477.8%
178Randleman4,644.04,00516.0%
179Shallotte4,639.03,36138.0%
180Ranlo4,617.03,22143.3%
181Raeford4,552.04,4422.5%
182Seven Lakes4,535.04,660-2.7%
183China Grove4,530.03,58626.3%
184Farmville4,514.04,614-2.2%
185Edenton4,494.05,111-12.1%
186Mount Olive4,453.04,588-2.9%
187Newport4,441.03,98111.6%
188Wingate4,425.03,39830.2%
189North Wilkesboro4,421.04,3002.8%
190Canton4,419.04,2434.1%
191Surf City4,396.01,727154.5%
192Sunset Beach4,351.03,33330.5%
193Royal Pines4,325.04,2042.9%
194Forest Oaks4,293.03,39826.3%
195Benson4,282.03,25031.8%
196Franklin4,268.03,84810.9%
197Southport4,205.02,77851.4%
198Dana4,147.03,8846.8%
199Spindale4,131.04,268-3.2%
200Bethlehem4,101.04,249-3.5%
201Stanley4,069.03,47017.3%
202Elkin4,043.04,193-3.6%
203Trent Woods4,032.04,118-2.1%
204Swansboro3,997.02,41065.9%
205Troutman3,995.02,39267.0%
206Mountain View3,982.03,48914.1%
207Emerald Isle3,934.03,6208.7%
208Lowesville3,874.02,63047.3%
209Burgaw3,850.03,8310.5%
210Tyro3,833.03,925-2.3%
211Skippers Corner3,792.02,29565.2%
212Maiden3,788.03,32513.9%
213Tabor City3,777.02,51250.4%
214Hudson3,772.03,6642.9%
215Lowell3,768.03,36811.9%
216Landis3,765.03,10421.3%
217Buies Creek3,746.03,7230.6%
218Kitty Hawk3,724.03,26514.1%
219Jame3,708.03,30312.3%
220Gamewell3,689.04,025-8.3%
221Rutherfordton3,680.04,202-12.4%
222Eastover3,666.03,5981.9%
223Wilkesboro3,646.03,4057.1%
224Fairview3,619.03,3238.9%
225Rockfish3,574.03,2709.3%
226Flat Rock3,530.03,04915.8%
227Welcome3,521.04,484-21.5%
228Glen Raven3,506.02,66331.7%
229Rural Hall3,466.02,85321.5%
230Wallace3,457.03,777-8.5%
231Mountain Home3,437.03,2037.3%
232Lake Park3,431.03,2435.8%
233Brices Creek3,415.02,76723.4%
234Red Oak3,405.03,2953.3%
235River Road3,366.04,762-29.3%
236Spencer3,349.03,2881.9%
237Enochville3,321.02,57928.8%
238Mineral Springs3,314.02,55329.8%
239Elizabet3,277.03,636-9.9%
240Windsor3,269.03,328-1.8%
241Louisburg3,263.03,328-2.0%
242Elroy3,251.03,890-16.4%
243Plymouth3,250.03,912-16.9%
244Green Level3,230.02,02259.7%
245Bermuda Run3,211.01,66792.6%
246Lake Junaluska3,175.02,71716.9%
247Murfreesboro3,170.02,77014.4%
248Lake Royale3,168.02,49227.1%
249Nags Head3,160.02,78513.5%
250Wallburg3,150.03,0174.4%
251Southern Shores3,139.02,65618.2%
252Red Springs3,125.03,439-9.1%
253Granite Quarry3,043.02,7879.2%
254Mars Hill3,025.02,72611.0%
255Youngsville3,011.01,108171.8%
256Yadkinville3,004.02,9452.0%
257Bayshore2,949.04,230-30.3%
258Fairfield Harbour2,948.02,7646.7%
259Troy2,926.03,219-9.1%
260Carthage2,896.01,402106.6%
261Avery Creek2,887.02,26727.3%
262Mar-Mac2,877.03,401-15.4%
263River Bend2,874.03,041-5.5%
264Jonesville2,860.02,39719.3%
265Haw River2,824.01,84852.8%
266Pembroke2,822.02,931-3.7%
267Rockwell2,782.01,71662.1%
268East Rockingham2,779.03,988-30.3%
269La Grange2,756.02,860-3.6%
270Wilson's Mills2,753.02,11430.2%
271Warsaw2,746.03,066-10.4%
272Brogden2,733.02,4909.8%
273Sneads Ferry2,728.02,12828.2%
274Edneyville2,716.01,93040.7%
275Cajah's Mountain2,704.02,790-3.1%
276Cape Carteret2,703.01,96837.3%
277Wentworth2,692.02,788-3.4%
278St. Pauls2,688.02,05131.1%
279Oakboro2,683.01,91240.3%
280Liberty2,682.02,688-0.2%
281Valley Hill2,675.02,6261.9%
282Neuse Forest2,671.01,52175.6%
283Wrightsville Beach2,665.02,5873.0%
284Tobaccoville2,664.02,34613.6%
285Sylva2,646.02,5712.9%
286Franklinton2,645.02,07027.8%
287Marshville2,615.02,3919.4%
288Belville2,573.01,88436.6%
289Polkton2,555.03,270-21.9%
290Swepsonville2,517.01,209108.2%
291Grifton2,515.02,516-0.0%
292Denver2,497.01,92329.8%
293South Rosemary2,475.03,118-20.6%
294Kure Beach2,466.01,61752.5%
295Fairmont2,463.02,657-7.3%
296Four Oaks2,459.01,86631.8%
297Snow Hill2,438.01,90727.8%
298Norwood2,433.02,12214.7%
299Connelly Springs2,427.01,58952.7%
300Laurel Park2,408.02,2945.0%
301Mayodan2,401.02,506-4.2%
302Spruce Pine2,398.02,2526.5%
303Fruitland2,398.01,57552.3%
304Salem2,377.02,2147.4%
305Calabash2,377.01,86427.5%
306Kenly2,359.01,69739.0%
307Fearrington Village2,356.02,3500.3%
308Richlands2,335.01,49456.3%
309Maxton2,330.03,162-26.3%
310Cricket2,317.02,1318.7%
311Bladenboro2,249.02,2261.0%
312Madison2,242.02,506-10.5%
313Mount Pleasant2,230.01,72729.1%
314Yanceyville2,215.02,516-12.0%
315Hildebran2,207.01,37860.2%
316Taylorsville2,201.01,90215.7%
317Badin2,184.01,77423.1%
318Icard2,153.02,716-20.7%
319Enfield2,153.02,560-15.9%
320Ramseur2,150.01,67128.7%
321Drexel2,146.01,90712.5%
322Biscoe2,116.02,493-15.1%
323Walnut Cove2,115.01,38352.9%
324Maggie Valley2,112.01,06997.6%
325Hemby Bridge2,096.01,57033.5%
326Burnsville2,082.02,156-3.4%
327Cherokee2,059.03,182-35.3%
328Navassa2,039.01,80912.7%
329Mulberry2,037.02,152-5.3%
330Pine Level2,031.01,53132.7%
331Manteo2,020.01,71717.6%
332Scotland Neck2,006.02,317-13.4%
333Andrews1,998.02,117-5.6%
334Glen Alpine1,991.01,58525.6%
335Wanchese1,956.01,75211.6%
336Sparta1,928.01,69413.8%
337Foxfire1,925.0779147.1%
338Claremont1,922.01,38538.8%
339Vander1,922.099593.2%
340Cedar Point1,917.01,26551.5%
341Bryson City1,902.01,54223.3%
342Robbins1,893.01,11969.2%
343Jefferson1,864.01,60316.3%
344Sea Breeze1,849.01,947-5.0%
345Broad Creek1,836.02,236-17.9%
346Tryon1,810.01,7771.9%
347Pinebluff1,806.01,51918.9%
348Fairplains1,803.02,143-15.9%
349Lake Waccamaw1,770.01,02373.0%
350Plain View1,741.01,895-8.1%
351Atlantic Beach1,719.01,919-10.4%
352Northlakes1,716.01,744-1.6%
353Millers Creek1,689.01,5955.9%
354Hoopers Creek1,683.01,08055.8%
355Stedman1,670.01,07755.1%
356Coats1,664.02,118-21.4%
357Princeton1,658.01,30427.1%
358Broadway1,657.01,17840.7%
359Dobson1,652.01,867-11.5%
360Vass1,644.0606171.3%
361Weldon1,642.01,716-4.3%
362Pumpkin Center1,636.01,907-14.2%
363Cove Creek1,629.01,4829.9%
364Princeville1,619.02,455-34.1%
365Hertford1,618.01,848-12.4%
366Efland1,611.0591172.6%
367Sharpsburg1,605.02,156-25.6%
368Murphy1,604.02,181-26.5%
369Boonville1,593.01,5711.4%
370Gorman1,591.0663140.0%
371Biltmore Forest1,587.01,5621.6%
372Belhaven1,577.01,937-18.6%
373Bethel1,544.01,15333.9%
374Lake Lure1,543.01,24024.4%
375Southmont1,525.01,33014.7%
376Stanfield1,522.01,573-3.2%
377Denton1,506.01,661-9.3%
378Horse Shoe1,490.02,800-46.8%
379Pilot Mountain1,483.01,690-12.2%
380Banner Elk1,473.093158.2%
381West Jefferson1,436.01,4350.1%
382East Spencer1,434.01,717-16.5%
383Pinetops1,426.01,26312.9%
384Walnut Creek1,422.095049.7%
385West Canton1,412.01,15622.1%
386Advance1,408.01,14822.6%
387Spring Hope1,387.01,25310.7%
388Bent Creek1,384.01,427-3.0%
389Rutherford College1,374.01,18416.0%
390Stony Point1,372.01,441-4.8%
391Cordova1,372.01,05729.8%
392Clyde1,359.01,00135.8%
393Chadbourn1,352.02,361-42.7%
394Pine Knoll Shores1,351.01,501-10.0%
395Maury1,339.0499168.3%
396Rose Hill1,309.01,399-6.4%
397Beulaville1,307.01,675-22.0%
398Saxapahaw1,301.01,12815.3%
399Elm City1,292.01,370-5.7%
400Moravian Falls1,285.01,633-21.3%
401Star1,282.01,03024.5%
402Buxton1,267.095832.3%
403Alamance1,267.080956.6%
404Bayboro1,266.01,405-9.9%
405Stem1,249.078858.5%
406Foscoe1,226.081949.7%
407Robersonville1,220.01,547-21.1%
408Hayesville1,208.068177.4%
409Lucama1,205.096125.4%
410Mount Gilead1,197.01,834-34.7%
411Rhodhiss1,166.01,272-8.3%
412Candor1,160.086334.4%
413Dortches1,158.078946.8%
414Barker Ten Mile1,156.01,179-2.0%
415Balfour1,134.01,0824.8%
416Franklinville1,131.01,168-3.2%
417Roseboro1,123.01,555-27.8%
418Camden1,115.0534108.8%
419Stoneville1,094.01,0385.4%
420Kenansville1,090.01,0820.7%
421Norlina1,087.09998.8%
422Germanton1,087.067361.5%
423Woodlawn1,085.01,249-13.1%
424Cleveland1,080.064966.4%
425Highlands1,074.09849.1%
426Barker Heights1,074.01,479-27.4%
427Columbus1,071.01,299-17.6%
428West Marion1,066.02,012-47.0%
429Bonnetsville1,063.055691.2%
430Harkers Island1,060.01,093-3.0%
431Hays1,053.01,601-34.2%
432Moncure1,039.053295.3%
433Ellerbe1,036.091413.3%
434Vanceboro1,030.081726.1%
435Magnolia1,024.01,824-43.9%
436Maysville1,022.01,082-5.5%
437Rocky Point1,020.01,815-43.8%
438Mcadenville1,010.050898.8%
439Peletier1,009.062760.9%

USA Cities By State

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