North Carolina: government, population and official figures

North Carolina is a state of the United States, number 9 of 51 by population. North Carolina had an estimated 11,197,968 residents on 1 July 2025, 3.3% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 9th largest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 1.32%, 3rd fastest-growing of 51.

Who runs North Carolina?

The governor is Josh Stein. Governor's office. Phone: 1-919-814-2000. Address: 20301 Mail Service Center Raleigh , NC 27699.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in North Carolina: The economy of North Carolina (gross domestic product) was worth $895.9 billion in 2025 at current prices, 2.9% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 9th largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 4.8% on 2024.
• Health in North Carolina: Life expectancy at birth in North Carolina was 75.9 years in 2022, 15th shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in North Carolina: 86.4% of public high school students in North Carolina graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 25th highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in North Carolina: The Census Bureau estimates that 12.6% of people in North Carolina lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 1,353,622 people; joint 16th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in North Carolina: North Carolina's state government took in $87.1 billion in fiscal year 2024, $7,883 per resident, 9th lowest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in North Carolina

• North Carolina
• Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
• Division of Social Services
• Consumer Protection
• Department of Adult Correction
• Local governments
• District Attorneys
• Department of Public Instruction
• State Board of Elections
• Emergency Management
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Motor Vehicles
• Attorney General

Largest cities in North Carolina

1. Charlotte 964,784 (2025)
2. Raleigh 506,306 (2025)
3. Greensboro 308,667 (2025)
4. Durham 305,561 (2025)
5. Winston-Salem 257,271 (2025)
6. Fayetteville 209,120 (2025)
7. Cary 183,582 (2025)
8. Wilmington 126,809 (2025)
9. High Point 120,571 (2025)
10. Concord 114,598 (2025)
11. Greenville 96,443 (2025)
12. Asheville 93,523 (2025)
13. Gastonia 87,067 (2025)
14. Apex 80,419 (2025)
15. Jacksonville 72,732 (2025)
16. Huntersville 68,535 (2025)
17. Chapel Hill 63,565 (2025)
18. Kannapolis 61,708 (2025)
19. Burlington 61,496 (2025)
20. Wake Forest 58,147 (2025)
21. Mooresville 55,842 (2025)
22. Rocky Mount 55,120 (2025)
23. Holly Springs 50,288 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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