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NCNorth Carolina rankings

Fastest-growing towns in North Carolina

Ranked by population growth between the 2010 and 2020 censuses. 291 towns with 2,500+ residents.

U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year

Map of Holly Ridge 1 Holly Ridge +228.9% 2010 census 1,268 Map of Rolesville 2 Rolesville +150.3% 2010 census 3,786 Swepsonville 3 Swepsonville +111.9% 2010 census 1,154
#TownGrowth 2010–20202010 census2020 census
1 Map of Holly Ridge Holly Ridge4,904 people +228.9% 1,268 4,171
2 Map of Rolesville Rolesville10,766 people +150.3% 3,786 9,475
3 Swepsonville Swepsonville2,517 people +111.9% 1,154 2,445
4 Surf City4,396 people +108.7% 1,853 3,867
5 Map of Waxhaw Waxhaw22,275 people +108.3% 9,859 20,534
6 St. James7,072 people +106.3% 3,165 6,529
7 Fuquay-Varina40,485 people +90.4% 17,937 34,152
8 Bermuda Run3,211 people +80.9% 1,725 3,120
9 Map of Youngsville Youngsville3,011 people +74.2% 1,157 2,016
10 Hampstead9,292 people +71.8% 4,083 7,016
11 Map of Knightdale Knightdale20,214 people +70.5% 11,401 19,435
12 Whispering Pines5,211 people +70.3% 2,928 4,987
13 Leland29,607 people +69.4% 13,527 22,908
14 Map of Wendell Wendell13,064 people +67.5% 5,845 9,793
15 Map of Holly Springs Holly Springs45,248 people +67.2% 24,661 41,239
16 Harrisburg Harrisburg19,633 people +64.6% 11,526 18,967
17 Map of Clayton Clayton29,320 people +63.2% 16,116 26,307
18 Morrisville31,422 people +59.5% 18,576 29,630
19 Hillsborough Hillsborough9,724 people +58.7% 6,087 9,660
20 Wake Forest Wake Forest52,844 people +58.1% 30,117 47,601
21 Apex70,630 people +56.8% 37,476 58,780
22 Mebane19,538 people +56.2% 11,393 17,797
23 Zebulon8,711 people +55.7% 4,433 6,903
24 Map of Troutman Troutman3,995 people +55.2% 2,383 3,698
25 Locust5,840 people +54.8% 2,930 4,537
26 Lake Norman of Iredell12,494 people +53.8% 7,411 11,395
27 Mooresville Mooresville52,381 people +53.4% 32,711 50,193
28 Midland4,860 people +52.4% 3,073 4,684
29 Tabor City Tabor City3,777 people +50.6% 2,511 3,781
30 Carolina Shores5,017 people +50.5% 3,048 4,588
31 Map of Green Level Green Level3,230 people +50.1% 2,100 3,152
32 Belmont15,546 people +49.0% 10,076 15,010
33 Lillington4,709 people +48.2% 3,194 4,735
34 Weaverville Weaverville4,687 people +46.4% 3,120 4,567
35 Pineville Pineville11,055 people +41.8% 7,479 10,602
36 Map of Westport Westport5,915 people +41.7% 4,026 5,705
37 Map of Swansboro Swansboro3,997 people +40.6% 2,663 3,744
38 Southport4,205 people +40.2% 2,833 3,971
39 Map of Weddington Weddington13,805 people +39.3% 9,459 13,181
40 Gibsonville9,467 people +39.2% 6,410 8,920
41 Davidson Davidson15,660 people +38.0% 10,944 15,106
42 Moyock5,684 people +37.1% 3,759 5,154
43 Lake Royale3,168 people +35.4% 2,506 3,392
44 Aberdeen9,228 people +34.1% 6,350 8,516
45 Pinehurst Pinehurst18,256 people +34.0% 13,124 17,581
46 Concord Concord108,719 people +33.1% 79,066 105,240
47 Map of Dallas Dallas6,104 people +32.1% 4,488 5,927
48 Map of Ranlo Ranlo4,617 people +31.4% 3,434 4,511
49 Huntersville Huntersville63,969 people +31.2% 46,773 61,376
50 Mount Holly Mount Holly18,208 people +29.6% 13,656 17,703
51 Map of Woodfin Woodfin8,048 people +29.6% 6,123 7,936
52 Myrtle Grove12,637 people +29.3% 8,875 11,476
53 Map of Cary Cary179,306 people +29.2% 135,234 174,721
54 Cramerton5,450 people +27.2% 4,165 5,296
55 Map of Cornelius Cornelius32,783 people +26.3% 24,866 31,412
56 Southern Pines Southern Pines16,420 people +26.0% 12,334 15,545
57 Map of Carthage Carthage2,896 people +25.9% 2,205 2,775
58 Kannapolis Kannapolis57,890 people +24.6% 42,625 53,114
59 Map of China Grove China Grove4,530 people +24.4% 3,563 4,434
60 Belville2,573 people +24.3% 1,936 2,406
61 Durham Durham291,467 people +24.2% 228,330 283,506
62 Oak Island Oak Island9,030 people +23.8% 6,783 8,396
63 Cullowhee Cullowhee7,973 people +23.3% 6,228 7,682
64 Map of Walkertown Walkertown5,873 people +21.8% 4,675 5,692
65 Map of Franklinton Franklinton2,645 people +21.4% 2,023 2,456
66 Graham Graham18,048 people +21.2% 14,153 17,157
67 Map of Ogden Ogden8,249 people +21.2% 6,766 8,200
68 Pittsboro Pittsboro4,752 people +21.2% 3,743 4,537
69 Garner34,473 people +21.0% 25,745 31,159
70 Angier6,241 people +21.0% 4,350 5,265
71 Map of Oak Ridge Oak Ridge7,744 people +20.8% 6,185 7,474
72 Map of Elon Elon11,032 people +20.4% 9,419 11,336
73 Benson Benson4,282 people +19.8% 3,311 3,967
74 Map of Mineral Springs Mineral Springs3,314 people +19.7% 2,639 3,159
75 Map of Charlotte Charlotte903,844 people +19.6% 731,424 874,579
76 Indian Trail Indian Trail42,036 people +19.3% 33,518 39,997
77 Porters Neck7,654 people +19.2% 6,204 7,397
78 Map of Landis Landis3,765 people +18.7% 3,109 3,690
79 Creedmoor Creedmoor4,997 people +18.0% 4,124 4,866
80 Map of Glen Raven Glen Raven3,506 people +17.8% 2,750 3,239
81 Map of Lake Junaluska Lake Junaluska3,175 people +17.7% 2,734 3,219
82 Map of Stokesdale Stokesdale6,004 people +17.4% 5,047 5,924
83 Hope Mills17,939 people +17.3% 15,176 17,808
84 Sunset Beach Sunset Beach4,351 people +16.9% 3,572 4,175
85 Map of Mocksville Mocksville6,068 people +16.8% 5,051 5,900
86 Murraysville Murraysville16,339 people +16.7% 14,215 16,582
87 Stallings16,886 people +16.5% 13,831 16,112
88 Mint Hill Mint Hill27,556 people +16.4% 22,722 26,450
89 Wesley Chapel Wesley Chapel9,090 people +16.3% 7,463 8,681
90 Wingate Wingate4,425 people +16.2% 3,491 4,055
91 Map of Silver Lake Silver Lake6,563 people +16.1% 5,598 6,500
92 Map of Cape Carteret Cape Carteret2,703 people +16.0% 1,917 2,224
93 Raleigh Raleigh481,031 people +15.8% 403,892 467,665
94 Map of Statesville Statesville29,894 people +15.8% 24,532 28,419
95 Map of East Flat Rock East Flat Rock6,323 people +15.3% 4,995 5,757
96 Brices Creek3,415 people +15.3% 3,073 3,542
97 Hendersonville Hendersonville15,408 people +15.2% 13,137 15,137
98 Carolina Beach6,745 people +15.0% 5,706 6,564
99 Map of Nags Head Nags Head3,160 people +14.9% 2,757 3,168
100 Map of Avery Creek Avery Creek2,887 people +14.9% 1,950 2,241
101 Map of Burlington Burlington59,610 people +14.7% 49,963 57,303
102 Map of Kill Devil Hills Kill Devil Hills7,761 people +14.6% 6,683 7,656
103 Map of Oakboro Oakboro2,683 people +14.5% 1,859 2,128
104 Map of Kernersville Kernersville27,830 people +14.4% 23,123 26,449
105 Rural Hall3,466 people +14.1% 2,937 3,351
106 Map of Marvin Marvin6,692 people +14.0% 5,579 6,358
107 Shallotte4,639 people +13.9% 3,675 4,185
108 Southern Shores Southern Shores3,139 people +13.9% 2,714 3,090
109 Clemmons21,871 people +13.6% 18,627 21,163
110 Map of Asheville Asheville94,535 people +13.4% 83,393 94,589
111 Map of Bayshore Bayshore2,949 people +13.0% 3,393 3,833
112 Winterville10,725 people +12.9% 9,269 10,462
113 Wrightsboro Wrightsboro6,287 people +12.9% 4,896 5,526
114 Maiden Maiden3,788 people +12.9% 3,310 3,736
115 Map of Kitty Hawk Kitty Hawk3,724 people +12.7% 3,272 3,689
116 Gastonia82,884 people +12.1% 71,741 80,411
117 Map of Unionville Unionville6,954 people +12.0% 5,929 6,643
118 Flat Rock Flat Rock3,530 people +11.9% 3,114 3,486
119 Archer Lodge Archer Lodge5,186 people +11.8% 4,292 4,797
120 Map of Randleman Randleman4,644 people +11.7% 4,113 4,595
121 Map of Boone Boone20,032 people +11.5% 17,122 19,092
122 Map of Pleasant Garden Pleasant Garden5,060 people +11.4% 4,489 5,000
123 Map of Stanley Stanley4,069 people +11.4% 3,556 3,963
124 Map of Lowesville Lowesville3,874 people +11.4% 2,945 3,281
125 Wilson's Mills2,753 people +11.3% 2,277 2,534
126 Fletcher Fletcher8,098 people +11.1% 7,187 7,987
127 Map of Greensboro Greensboro301,198 people +10.9% 269,666 299,035
128 Butner8,065 people +10.6% 7,591 8,397
129 Boiling Spring Lakes6,347 people +10.6% 5,372 5,943
130 Dana4,147 people +10.6% 3,329 3,683
131 Map of Buies Creek Buies Creek3,746 people +10.6% 2,942 3,253
132 Beaufort4,689 people +10.5% 4,039 4,464
133 Morehead City Morehead City9,806 people +10.3% 8,661 9,556
134 Map of Etowah Etowah7,968 people +10.1% 6,944 7,642
135 Swannanoa Swannanoa6,901 people +9.7% 4,576 5,021
136 Map of High Point High Point116,245 people +9.3% 104,371 114,059
137 Rockwell Rockwell2,782 people +9.2% 2,108 2,302
138 Map of Winston-Salem Winston-Salem252,037 people +8.7% 229,617 249,545
139 Map of Hickory Hickory44,258 people +8.7% 40,010 43,490
140 Map of Carrboro Carrboro21,204 people +8.7% 19,582 21,295
141 Asheboro Asheboro27,580 people +8.6% 25,012 27,156
142 Map of Franklin Franklin4,268 people +8.6% 3,845 4,175
143 Map of Jamestown Jamestown3,708 people +8.5% 3,382 3,668
144 Map of Wilmington Wilmington120,805 people +8.4% 106,476 115,451
145 Chapel Hill Chapel Hill61,607 people +8.3% 57,233 61,960
146 Map of Matthews Matthews30,577 people +8.2% 27,198 29,435
147 Map of Piney Green Piney Green14,078 people +8.2% 13,293 14,386
148 Map of Kings Mountain Kings Mountain12,039 people +8.2% 10,296 11,142
149 Map of Forest Oaks Forest Oaks4,293 people +8.2% 3,890 4,209
150 Map of Wilkesboro Wilkesboro3,646 people +8.0% 3,413 3,687
151 Map of Shelby Shelby22,100 people +7.8% 20,323 21,918
152 Sanford Sanford31,478 people +7.7% 28,094 30,261
153 Map of Black Mountain Black Mountain8,513 people +7.4% 7,848 8,426
154 Map of Mars Hill Mars Hill3,025 people +7.4% 1,869 2,007
155 Map of Summerfield Summerfield11,116 people +7.0% 10,232 10,951
156 Map of Bethlehem Bethlehem4,101 people +6.6% 4,214 4,491
157 Valley Hill2,675 people +6.6% 2,070 2,207
158 New Bern32,734 people +6.0% 29,524 31,291
159 Lewisville Lewisville13,828 people +5.9% 12,639 13,381
160 Map of Trinity Trinity7,111 people +5.9% 6,614 7,006
161 Lincolnton Lincolnton11,783 people +5.8% 10,486 11,091
162 Map of Salisbury Salisbury35,825 people +5.6% 33,662 35,540
163 Tobaccoville Tobaccoville2,664 people +5.6% 2,441 2,578
164 Map of Cherryville Cherryville6,226 people +5.5% 5,760 6,078
165 Monroe Monroe36,759 people +5.4% 32,797 34,562
166 Emerald Isle3,934 people +5.3% 3,655 3,847
167 Nashville5,729 people +5.2% 5,352 5,632
168 Newport4,441 people +5.2% 4,150 4,364
169 Map of Neuse Forest Neuse Forest2,671 people +5.2% 2,005 2,110
170 Map of Granite Falls Granite Falls4,929 people +5.1% 4,722 4,965
171 Map of Marshville Marshville2,615 people +5.0% 2,402 2,522
172 Canton4,419 people +4.6% 4,227 4,422
173 Map of Skippers Corner Skippers Corner3,792 people +4.6% 2,785 2,912
174 Long View Long View5,011 people +4.5% 4,871 5,088
175 Kings Grant Kings Grant9,003 people +4.4% 8,113 8,466
176 Map of Valdese Valdese4,704 people +4.4% 4,490 4,689
177 Map of Archdale Archdale12,087 people +4.3% 11,415 11,907
178 Map of King King7,408 people +4.2% 6,904 7,197
179 Mills River Mills River7,281 people +4.1% 6,802 7,078
180 Fayetteville210,815 people +4.0% 200,564 208,501
181 Map of Selma Selma6,817 people +4.0% 6,073 6,317
182 Fairview3,619 people +4.0% 3,324 3,456
183 Map of Jacksonville Jacksonville71,279 people +3.7% 70,145 72,723
184 Lexington Lexington19,690 people +3.7% 18,931 19,632
185 Map of Lowell Lowell3,768 people +3.6% 3,526 3,654
186 Map of Greenville Greenville92,857 people +3.5% 84,554 87,521
187 Morganton17,646 people +3.3% 16,918 17,474
188 Albemarle Albemarle16,762 people +3.3% 15,903 16,432
189 Map of North Wilkesboro North Wilkesboro4,421 people +3.2% 4,245 4,382
190 Map of Conover Conover8,580 people +3.1% 8,165 8,421
191 Erwin4,687 people +3.1% 4,405 4,542
192 Map of Smithfield Smithfield12,116 people +3.0% 10,966 11,292
193 Elkin Elkin4,043 people +3.0% 4,001 4,122
194 Map of Mount Airy Mount Airy10,633 people +2.8% 10,388 10,676
195 Waynesville10,502 people +2.7% 9,869 10,140
196 Map of Rockfish Rockfish3,574 people +2.6% 3,298 3,383
197 Northchase5,896 people +2.5% 3,747 3,842
198 Map of Oxford Oxford8,914 people +2.0% 8,461 8,628
199 Brevard Brevard7,897 people +1.8% 7,609 7,744
200 Map of Granite Quarry Granite Quarry3,043 people +1.8% 2,930 2,984
201 Map of Thomasville Thomasville27,321 people +1.6% 26,757 27,183
202 Bessemer City Bessemer City5,580 people +1.6% 5,340 5,428
203 Map of Newton Newton13,333 people +1.4% 12,968 13,148
204 Map of Washington Washington9,726 people +1.3% 9,744 9,875
205 Midway4,897 people +1.3% 4,679 4,742
206 Map of Spencer Spencer3,349 people +1.3% 3,267 3,308
207 Map of Yadkinville Yadkinville3,004 people +1.2% 2,959 2,995
208 Edneyville2,716 people +1.2% 2,367 2,395
209 Map of St. Stephens St. Stephens9,457 people +1.1% 8,759 8,852
210 Mountain View3,982 people +1.1% 3,552 3,590
211 Map of Jonesville Jonesville2,860 people +1.0% 2,285 2,308
212 Ayden5,150 people +0.9% 4,932 4,977
213 Eastover Eastover3,666 people +0.8% 3,628 3,656
214 Lenoir18,299 people +0.7% 18,228 18,352
215 St. Pauls2,688 people +0.5% 2,035 2,045
216 Map of Reidsville Reidsville14,585 people +0.4% 14,520 14,583
217 Map of Seven Lakes Seven Lakes4,535 people +0.2% 4,888 4,900
218 Map of Hudson Hudson3,772 people +0.1% 3,776 3,780
219 Map of Wallburg Wallburg3,150 people +0.1% 3,047 3,051
220 Liberty Liberty2,682 people 0.0% 2,656 2,655
221 Wrightsville Beach Wrightsville Beach2,665 people −0.2% 2,477 2,473
222 Elizabeth City Elizabeth City18,871 people −0.3% 18,683 18,631
223 Map of Sylva Sylva2,646 people −0.4% 2,588 2,578
224 Eden15,356 people −0.7% 15,527 15,421
225 Boiling Springs Boiling Springs4,757 people −0.7% 4,647 4,615
226 Map of Welcome Welcome3,521 people −0.7% 4,162 4,131
227 Map of Raeford Raeford4,552 people −1.1% 4,611 4,559
228 Map of Enochville Enochville3,321 people −1.1% 2,925 2,893
229 Forest City Forest City7,363 people −1.3% 7,476 7,377
230 Map of Windsor Windsor3,269 people −1.3% 3,630 3,582
231 Marion Marion7,579 people −1.5% 7,838 7,717
232 Map of Trent Woods Trent Woods4,032 people −1.9% 4,155 4,074
233 Henderson14,885 people −2.0% 15,368 15,060
234 Haw River2,824 people −2.0% 2,298 2,252
235 Spindale Spindale4,131 people −2.2% 4,321 4,225
236 Siler City7,995 people −2.3% 7,887 7,702
237 Spring Lake11,573 people −2.5% 11,964 11,660
238 Red Oak3,405 people −2.6% 3,430 3,342
239 Wilson48,370 people −2.7% 49,167 47,851
240 Roxboro8,182 people −2.7% 8,362 8,134
241 Map of Ahoskie Ahoskie4,764 people −2.9% 5,039 4,891
242 Elroy3,251 people −2.9% 3,869 3,755
243 Clinton8,304 people −3.0% 8,639 8,383
244 Tyro3,833 people −3.2% 3,879 3,753
245 Map of Roanoke Rapids Roanoke Rapids14,856 people −3.3% 15,754 15,229
246 Rockingham8,967 people −3.3% 9,558 9,243
247 Map of Royal Pines Royal Pines4,325 people −3.4% 4,272 4,127
248 Map of Mountain Home Mountain Home3,437 people −3.6% 3,622 3,490
249 Cajah's Mountain2,704 people −3.6% 2,823 2,722
250 Sneads Ferry2,728 people −3.7% 2,646 2,548
251 Map of Farmville Farmville4,514 people −4.1% 4,654 4,461
252 Map of Sawmills Sawmills5,042 people −4.2% 5,240 5,020
253 Map of Lake Park Lake Park3,431 people −4.5% 3,422 3,269
254 Brogden2,733 people −4.7% 2,633 2,510
255 Williamston Williamston5,112 people −4.8% 5,511 5,248
256 Pembroke2,822 people −5.0% 2,973 2,823
257 Wentworth2,692 people −5.2% 2,807 2,662
258 Map of Rocky Mount Rocky Mount54,297 people −5.5% 57,477 54,341
259 Map of Tarboro Tarboro10,770 people −6.1% 11,415 10,721
260 Map of Laurinburg Laurinburg15,087 people −6.2% 15,962 14,978
261 Map of Fairfield Harbour Fairfield Harbour2,948 people −6.3% 2,952 2,767
262 Map of Grifton Grifton2,515 people −6.5% 2,617 2,448
263 River Bend2,874 people −7.0% 3,119 2,902
264 East Rockingham2,779 people −7.1% 3,736 3,471
265 Hamlet5,961 people −7.2% 6,495 6,025
266 Map of Goldsboro Goldsboro34,383 people −7.6% 36,437 33,657
267 Map of Murfreesboro Murfreesboro3,170 people −7.6% 2,835 2,619
268 River Road3,366 people −7.9% 4,394 4,048
269 Elizabethtown3,277 people −8.0% 3,583 3,296
270 Kinston19,505 people −8.2% 21,677 19,900
271 Mount Olive4,453 people −8.5% 4,589 4,198
272 Gamewell3,689 people −8.6% 4,051 3,702
273 Dunn8,559 people −8.8% 9,263 8,446
274 Map of Louisburg Louisburg3,263 people −8.8% 3,359 3,064
275 Map of Half Moon Half Moon7,378 people −9.7% 8,352 7,543
276 Map of La Grange La Grange2,756 people −9.7% 2,873 2,595
277 Red Springs3,125 people −9.9% 3,428 3,087
278 Map of James City James City4,789 people −10.3% 5,899 5,291
279 Warsaw2,746 people −10.5% 3,054 2,733
280 Map of Troy Troy2,926 people −10.6% 3,189 2,850
281 Edenton Edenton4,494 people −10.9% 5,004 4,460
282 Whiteville4,696 people −11.6% 5,394 4,766
283 Map of Lumberton Lumberton18,859 people −11.7% 21,542 19,025
284 Mar-Mac2,877 people −11.9% 3,615 3,184
285 Wallace3,457 people −12.0% 3,880 3,413
286 Map of Rutherfordton Rutherfordton3,680 people −13.6% 4,213 3,640
287 Map of Wadesboro Wadesboro4,972 people −13.8% 5,813 5,008
288 Map of Plymouth Plymouth3,250 people −14.4% 3,878 3,320
289 Map of Havelock Havelock17,691 people −19.8% 20,735 16,621
290 Burgaw3,850 people −20.2% 3,872 3,088
291 Polkton Polkton2,555 people −33.3% 3,375 2,250

How this ranking works

We rank every town by population growth between the 2010 and 2020 censuses. These are official census counts, not estimates. The town with the highest figure ranks #1. For comparison, the figure for North Carolina as a whole is +9.5%.

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

Same ranking in other states

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