(The Center Square) – Charlotte and Raleigh, the largest cities in North Carolina, have each grown by more than 7% since the outset of COVID-19, according to an October report from the Office of State Budget and Management.
Raleigh’s 500,639 population leads Wake County’s claim to having four of the eight cities in the state growing by 10,000 or more. Each of the state’s largest 25 municipalities grew in the analyzation of measurements from April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2024 – the latest time period available.
North Carolina is the nation’s ninth largest state at an estimated 11.1 million. The population was 10.4 million in April 2020. The state is regularly on lists showing growth through migration, usually behind Florida and Texas, respectively.
Charlotte’s estimated population is 944,742, growing by 70,055 (8%). The Queen City is 14th largest in the nation, second among the eight South Atlantic states, and 7th in the 16-state South as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Raleigh’s estimated population is 500,639, growing by 32,728 (7%) and topping half a million for the first time.
Eight municipalities grew by 10,000 or more, led by Wake County’s Cary (13,000), Wake Forest (11,000), Apex (11,000) and Fuquay-Varina (10,000). Also from the Triangle, Durham led at more than 17,000. Others were Wilmington (11,000), Leland (10,000) and Concord (10,000).
Six communities with 5,000 or more in 2020 grew by 20% or more by 2024. Wendell in Wake County added 7,000 residents (73%). Also swelling were Angier (46%) in Harnett County, and the Wake towns of Zebulon (33%), Fuquay-Varina (29%), Rolesville (24%) and Wake Forest (23%).
