NCNorth Carolina rankings

Towns with the most conserved land in North Carolina

Ranked by the share of the town's area that is permanently protected: town forests, state and federal land, land-trust preserves and conservation easements (USGS PAD-US). 15 towns with 2,500+ residents.

U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year

1 Spring Lake 81.9% Conserved acres 12,432

2 Jacksonville 51.5% Conserved acres 18,871

3 Boiling Spring Lakes 45.6% Conserved acres 7,072

#TownConserved landConserved acresTrails

Spring Lake11,573 people 81.9% 12,432 46.0 mi

Jacksonville71,279 people 51.5% 18,871 51.6 mi

Boiling Spring Lakes6,347 people 45.6% 7,072 21.1 mi

Whispering Pines5,211 people 12% 347 16.0 mi

Durham291,467 people 9.4% 7,219 82.3 mi

Franklinton2,645 people 7.2% 85 0.0 mi

Kings Mountain12,039 people 3.4% 324 3.3 mi

Swepsonville2,517 people 3.2% 31 1.4 mi

Murfreesboro3,170 people 2.5% 37 0.0 mi

Reidsville14,585 people 1.9% 199 0.9 mi

Elizabeth City18,871 people 1.8% 136 5.3 mi

Black Mountain8,513 people 1.5% 65 5.2 mi

Youngsville3,011 people 1.3% 22 0.1 mi

Waynesville10,502 people 1.1% 64 1.7 mi

15 Lake Norman of Catawba9,906 people 0.5% 105 2.9 mi

How this ranking works

We rank every town by the share of the town's area that is permanently protected: town forests, state and federal land, land-trust preserves and conservation easements (USGS PAD-US). Easements protect land from development but are often private, so not all of it is open to visitors. The town with the highest figure ranks #1.

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. Trails, streets and parks: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Conserved land: USGS PAD-US. Measured within each town's Census boundary. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

Same ranking in other states

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