Economy, jobs and prices in North Carolina, United States: official figures
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.
How fast is the economy of North Carolina growing?
After adjusting for inflation, real GDP in North Carolina grew 1.8% in 2025, against 2.3% for the United States; 22nd slowest-growing of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the GDP per capita of North Carolina?
Dividing 2025 GDP by the Census Bureau's population estimate gives $80,007 of output per resident, against $90,294 for the US economy divided by the population of the 50 states and DC; 21st lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyIs the economy of North Carolina growing or shrinking?
In the second quarter of 2026, real GDP in North Carolina grew at an annual rate of 2.9% (United States: 2.2%); 9th fastest-growing of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat are the main industries in North Carolina?
In 2025 the largest private industry in North Carolina's economy was real estate, rental and leasing (12.7% of GDP), followed by manufacturing (12.4%) and finance and insurance (10.9%). Government accounted for 11.3%; the manufacturing share was 13th highest of 51 (United States: 9.5%).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyHow much do people in North Carolina spend?
Consumer spending (personal consumption expenditures) in North Carolina came to $55,700 per person in 2025 (United States: $61,062); 18th lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyIs North Carolina expensive to live in?
Prices in North Carolina were 5.7% below the national average in 2024, by BEA's regional price parity of 94.3 (US = 100), which covers goods, services and housing; 21st least expensive of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the inflation rate in North Carolina?
Prices in North Carolina rose 2.5% in 2024, measured by BEA's implicit regional price deflator, against 2.6% nationally (PCE price index).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the per capita income in North Carolina?
Personal income per person in North Carolina was $68,274 in 2025, against $77,028 for the United States; 16th lowest of 51. It was up 4.6% on 2024 and up 31.7% on 2020, before inflation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the disposable income per person in North Carolina?
After taxes, disposable personal income per person was $60,541 in 2025 (United States: $67,251); 17th lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyHow far does income go in North Carolina?
Adjusted for local price levels, real personal income per person in North Carolina was $56,310 in 2024 in 2017 dollars (United States: $59,195); 19th lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the median household income in North Carolina?
Median household income in North Carolina was $73,958 in 2024 (margin of error ±$863), against $81,604 for the United States; 15th lowest of 51 by the point estimate. It was up 1.5% on 2023 after adjusting for inflation (American Community Survey).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow unequal are incomes in North Carolina?
The Gini index of household income inequality in North Carolina was 0.478 in 2024 (0 means equal incomes, 1 means one household has everything; United States: 0.481); 10th most unequal of 51.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in North Carolina?
The unemployment rate in North Carolina was 3.4% in September 2026 (seasonally adjusted, preliminary), down from 3.9% a year earlier; tied for 14th lowest of 51. The rate for the 50 states and DC combined was 4.2%.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyHow many people are unemployed in North Carolina?
In September 2026, 179,830 people in North Carolina were unemployed and 5,053,743 employed, out of a labor force of 5,233,573.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat was the unemployment rate in North Carolina in 2025?
Over 2025 the unemployment rate in North Carolina averaged 3.8% (an 11-month average: October 2025 was not collected during the federal shutdown), against 3.7% in 2024; tied for 20th lowest of 51. The lowest annual rate since 1976 was 3.3% in 1999.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the average salary in North Carolina?
Workers covered by unemployment insurance in North Carolina were paid $71,533 on average in 2025 ($1,376 a week), up 4.1% on 2024; the US average was $78,720. That is 22nd highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyHow many jobs are there in North Carolina?
Employers in North Carolina had an average of 4,941,383 jobs on their payrolls in 2025 across 359,089 establishments, up 0.8% on 2024 (United States: up 0.5%).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median wage in North Carolina?
The median annual wage across all occupations in North Carolina was $47,970 in May 2025 (mean $64,290); tied for 16th lowest of 51. One in ten workers earned less than $28,580 and one in ten more than $119,640.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the most common job in North Carolina?
The most common occupation in North Carolina in May 2025 was retail salespersons, with 127,540 workers and a median annual wage of $31,370.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in North Carolina?
Median household income in North Carolina was $74,055 in 2024, 15th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $81,604). In 2019 it was $57,388, so it has risen 29.0% before allowing for inflation.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the average rent in North Carolina?
The median gross rent in North Carolina, including utilities, was $1,338 a month in 2024, up 7.5% on 2023 ($1,245); 24th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $1,487).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the median home value in North Carolina?
Homeowners in North Carolina valued their homes at a median of $333,000 in 2024, up 7.9% on 2023 ($308,600); 24th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $360,600).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow affordable are homes in North Carolina?
The median home value in North Carolina was 4.5 times the median household income in 2024 ($333,000 against $74,055); 19th highest ratio among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 4.4).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyIs rent affordable in North Carolina?
A household on the median income in North Carolina would spend 21.7% of its income on the median rent of $1,338 a month in 2024 (U.S.: 21.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow North Carolina compares with other states
Gross domestic product, 2025 (current dollars) (2025)
North Carolina ranks 9 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross domestic product, 2025 (current dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Pennsylvania | $1.06 trillion |
| 7 | Ohio | $976.9 billion |
| 8 | Georgia | $936.1 billion |
| 9 | North Carolina | $895.9 billion |
| 10 | Washington | $892.3 billion |
| 11 | New Jersey | $887.8 billion |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $813.6 billion |
GDP per resident, 2025 (BEA GDP / Census population) (2025)
North Carolina ranks 31 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | GDP per resident, 2025 (BEA GDP / Census population) |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Oregon | $80,317 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $80,160 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $80,137 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $80,007 |
| 32 | Rhode Island | $79,174 |
| 33 | Kansas | $77,961 |
| 34 | Indiana | $77,790 |
Real GDP growth, 2025 (2025)
North Carolina ranks 30 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Colorado | 1.9% |
| 28 | Indiana | 1.9% |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | 1.8% |
| 30 | North Carolina | 1.8% |
| 31 | New Mexico | 1.8% |
| 32 | South Dakota | 1.8% |
| 33 | New Hampshire | 1.7% |
Real GDP growth, 2026:Q2 (annual rate) (2026:Q2)
North Carolina ranks 9 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2026:Q2 (annual rate) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Georgia | 3.1% |
| 7 | Florida | 3.0% |
| 8 | Connecticut | 3.0% |
| 9 | North Carolina | 2.9% |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 2.7% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 2.7% |
| 12 | Vermont | 2.7% |
Personal income per person, 2025 (2025)
North Carolina ranks 36 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Personal income per person, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Kansas | $69,149 |
| 34 | Delaware | $68,630 |
| 35 | Arizona | $68,373 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $68,274 |
| 37 | Ohio | $67,584 |
| 38 | Iowa | $67,321 |
| 39 | Michigan | $67,245 |
Real personal income per person, 2024 (adjusted for local prices, 2017 dollars) (2024)
North Carolina ranks 33 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real personal income per person, 2024 (adjusted for local prices, 2017 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Florida | $57,131 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $56,789 |
| 32 | Nevada | $56,503 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $56,310 |
| 34 | Ohio | $56,232 |
| 35 | Rhode Island | $55,878 |
| 36 | Indiana | $55,562 |
Median household income, 2024 (ACS) (2024)
North Carolina ranks 37 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Median household income, 2024 (ACS) |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Kansas | $75,514 |
| 35 | Iowa | $75,501 |
| 36 | Montana | $75,340 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $73,958 |
| 38 | Michigan | $72,389 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $72,350 |
| 40 | Ohio | $72,212 |
Regional price parity, 2024 (US = 100) (2024)
North Carolina ranks 31 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Regional price parity, 2024 (US = 100) |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Michigan | 96.2 |
| 29 | Idaho | 95.5 |
| 30 | Montana | 94.6 |
| 31 | North Carolina | 94.3 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | 94.1 |
| 33 | South Carolina | 93.7 |
| 34 | Indiana | 93.3 |
Unemployment rate, September 2026 (seasonally adjusted) (September 2026)
North Carolina ranks 36 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, September 2026 (seasonally adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Alabama | 3.5% |
| 34 | Utah | 3.5% |
| 35 | Ohio | 3.4% |
| 36 | North Carolina | 3.4% |
| 37 | Tennessee | 3.4% |
| 38 | Indiana | 3.4% |
| 39 | Georgia | 3.3% |
Unemployment rate, 2025 annual average (2025)
North Carolina ranks 30 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, 2025 annual average |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Connecticut | 4.0% |
| 28 | Florida | 3.9% |
| 29 | Minnesota | 3.9% |
| 30 | North Carolina | 3.8% |
| 31 | Kansas | 3.8% |
| 32 | Mississippi | 3.8% |
| 33 | Indiana | 3.7% |
Labor force participation rate, September 2026 (September 2026)
North Carolina ranks 45 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Labor force participation rate, September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Maine | 58.5% |
| 43 | Louisiana | 58.3% |
| 44 | Kentucky | 57.9% |
| 45 | North Carolina | 57.8% |
| 46 | Delaware | 57.8% |
| 47 | Florida | 57.3% |
| 48 | Alabama | 56.8% |
Average annual pay, 2025 (QCEW) (2025)
North Carolina ranks 22 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average annual pay, 2025 (QCEW) |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Georgia | $73,032 |
| 20 | Arizona | $72,894 |
| 21 | Florida | $72,772 |
| 22 | North Carolina | $71,533 |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $71,123 |
| 24 | Michigan | $70,809 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $70,649 |
Median annual wage, all occupations, May 2025 (OEWS) (May 2025)
North Carolina ranks 35 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Median annual wage, all occupations, May 2025 (OEWS) |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Iowa | $48,540 |
| 33 | Georgia | $48,170 |
| 34 | Kansas | $48,010 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $47,970 |
| 36 | Idaho | $47,970 |
| 37 | Florida | $47,880 |
| 38 | Indiana | $47,860 |
Median household income (2024)
North Carolina ranks 37 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau SAIPE model estimates
| Rank | Region | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Iowa | $75,623 |
| 35 | Montana | $75,520 |
| 36 | Kansas | $75,402 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $74,055 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $72,507 |
| 39 | Michigan | $72,336 |
| 40 | Ohio | $72,259 |
Median gross rent (monthly) (2024)
North Carolina ranks 24 of 51, highest first. Renter-occupied units paying cash rent
| Rank | Region | Median gross rent (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Alaska | $1,444 |
| 22 | Rhode Island | $1,418 |
| 23 | Idaho | $1,384 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $1,338 |
| 25 | Illinois | $1,322 |
| 26 | Vermont | $1,319 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $1,291 |
Median value of owner-occupied homes (2024)
North Carolina ranks 28 of 51, highest first. Owner-reported value
| Rank | Region | Median value of owner-occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Georgia | $343,300 |
| 26 | Maine | $341,900 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $339,500 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $333,000 |
| 29 | Tennessee | $332,600 |
| 30 | Texas | $313,200 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $299,500 |
More on North Carolina: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: Household Income in States and Metropolitan Areas: 2024 (ACSBR-025), Appendix Table 1: median household income and Gini index by state, 2023 and 2024 American Community Survey, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5de1b0d5ec46…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SASUMMARY: State annual summary statistics: personal income, GDP, consumer spending, price indexes, and employment (updated 30 September 2026), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a3757d207c05…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SAGDP: Annual GDP by state, 1997-2025 (table SAGDP2, GDP in current dollars by industry), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3d3c5bc7bd24…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SQGDP: Quarterly GDP by state, 2005-2026 Q2 (table SQGDP11, percent change in real GDP at annual rate), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1649260cdceb…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Local Area Unemployment Statistics: employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population, states, monthly, seasonally adjusted, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7bb6f18d4145…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Local Area Unemployment Statistics: employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population, states, annual averages 1976-2025, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 262aba7d00df…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates (state_M2025_dl.xlsx), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 74d5be0e1df8…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages, all industries (open data CSV slice), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5a5f89142aae…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Median gross rent (B25064), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 8624f9775add…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Median value of owner-occupied homes (B25077), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 27120d5d8a5f…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE): 2024 poverty and median household income, states and counties, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 cb52c47d75c1…)
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