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NCNorth Carolina rankings

Towns with the most residents 65 and older in North Carolina

Ranked by the share of residents aged 65 and older. 295 towns with 2,500+ residents.

U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year

1 St. James 62.8% Median age 68.0 Sunset Beach 2 Sunset Beach 59.7% Median age 69.1 Flat Rock 3 Flat Rock 53.5% Median age 67.1
#TownAge 65 and olderMedian agePopulation
1 St. James7,072 people 62.8% 68.0 7,072
2 Sunset Beach Sunset Beach4,351 people 59.7% 69.1 4,351
3 Flat Rock Flat Rock3,530 people 53.5% 67.1 3,530
4 Carolina Shores5,017 people 50.9% 65.3 5,017
5 Southport4,205 people 47.9% 64.2 4,205
6 Map of Seven Lakes Seven Lakes4,535 people 46.9% 62.2 4,535
7 Map of Fairfield Harbour Fairfield Harbour2,948 people 43.1% 62.2 2,948
8 Oak Island Oak Island9,030 people 42% 62.3 9,030
9 Pinehurst Pinehurst18,256 people 41% 60.6 18,256
10 Map of Nags Head Nags Head3,160 people 40% 58.4 3,160
11 Map of Black Mountain Black Mountain8,513 people 36.9% 58.4 8,513
12 Emerald Isle3,934 people 36.8% 60.3 3,934
13 Map of Trent Woods Trent Woods4,032 people 35.3% 57.8 4,032
14 Beaufort4,689 people 35.2% 55.0 4,689
15 Hendersonville Hendersonville15,408 people 33.5% 53.2 15,408
16 Porters Neck7,654 people 33.1% 50.6 7,654
17 River Bend2,874 people 32.7% 53.1 2,874
18 Wrightsville Beach Wrightsville Beach2,665 people 32.1% 58.0 2,665
19 Southern Shores Southern Shores3,139 people 31.7% 58.7 3,139
20 Brevard Brevard7,897 people 31.5% 50.3 7,897
21 Map of Wilkesboro Wilkesboro3,646 people 30.9% 47.9 3,646
22 Red Oak3,405 people 30.7% 49.5 3,405
23 Elizabethtown3,277 people 30.6% 51.8 3,277
24 Map of Tarboro Tarboro10,770 people 29.4% 51.2 10,770
25 Brices Creek3,415 people 29% 55.0 3,415
26 Map of Franklin Franklin4,268 people 28.8% 48.1 4,268
27 Map of Plymouth Plymouth3,250 people 28.8% 48.6 3,250
28 Map of Lake Junaluska Lake Junaluska3,175 people 28.6% 46.8 3,175
29 Leland29,607 people 28.4% 47.3 29,607
30 Lake Royale3,168 people 28.2% 47.9 3,168
31 Edenton Edenton4,494 people 27.9% 46.7 4,494
32 Map of Bethlehem Bethlehem4,101 people 27.9% 52.7 4,101
33 Weaverville Weaverville4,687 people 27.7% 54.8 4,687
34 Map of James City James City4,789 people 27.2% 51.7 4,789
35 Map of Etowah Etowah7,968 people 27.1% 45.5 7,968
36 Map of Mountain Home Mountain Home3,437 people 27.1% 50.5 3,437
37 Map of Farmville Farmville4,514 people 27% 41.4 4,514
38 Waynesville10,502 people 26.8% 46.0 10,502
39 Map of Cape Carteret Cape Carteret2,703 people 26.7% 46.3 2,703
40 Map of Rutherfordton Rutherfordton3,680 people 26.6% 38.9 3,680
41 Map of Jamestown Jamestown3,708 people 26.5% 43.4 3,708
42 Map of Oxford Oxford8,914 people 26.3% 42.6 8,914
43 Map of Louisburg Louisburg3,263 people 26% 37.4 3,263
44 River Road3,366 people 25.8% 47.0 3,366
45 Map of Valdese Valdese4,704 people 25.7% 52.6 4,704
46 Map of Forest Oaks Forest Oaks4,293 people 25.7% 48.4 4,293
47 Southern Pines Southern Pines16,420 people 25.6% 38.7 16,420
48 Map of Mount Airy Mount Airy10,633 people 25.6% 46.0 10,633
49 Map of Washington Washington9,726 people 25.6% 46.8 9,726
50 Map of Jonesville Jonesville2,860 people 25.5% 40.9 2,860
51 Map of Hudson Hudson3,772 people 25.4% 45.1 3,772
52 Map of Lake Park Lake Park3,431 people 25.3% 43.6 3,431
53 New Bern32,734 people 24.5% 38.9 32,734
54 Kinston19,505 people 24.5% 42.9 19,505
55 Clinton8,304 people 24.3% 39.9 8,304
56 Mills River Mills River7,281 people 24.3% 46.4 7,281
57 Shallotte4,639 people 23.7% 45.5 4,639
58 Eastover Eastover3,666 people 23.7% 49.3 3,666
59 Map of Spencer Spencer3,349 people 23.4% 44.2 3,349
60 Map of King King7,408 people 23.1% 42.3 7,408
61 Elroy3,251 people 23.1% 45.0 3,251
62 Lenoir18,299 people 22.9% 45.7 18,299
63 Morehead City Morehead City9,806 people 22.7% 44.2 9,806
64 Map of Reidsville Reidsville14,585 people 22.6% 42.0 14,585
65 Map of Archdale Archdale12,087 people 22.6% 46.1 12,087
66 Map of Royal Pines Royal Pines4,325 people 22.5% 41.0 4,325
67 Dunn8,559 people 22.4% 43.2 8,559
68 Map of Swansboro Swansboro3,997 people 22.4% 44.7 3,997
69 Roxboro8,182 people 22.3% 45.3 8,182
70 Elkin Elkin4,043 people 22.3% 41.6 4,043
71 Map of Wallburg Wallburg3,150 people 22.3% 47.2 3,150
72 Lake Norman of Catawba9,906 people 22.2% 51.2 9,906
73 Morganton17,646 people 22% 37.8 17,646
74 Williamston Williamston5,112 people 22% 45.4 5,112
75 Nashville5,729 people 21.8% 40.7 5,729
76 Fletcher Fletcher8,098 people 21.7% 41.7 8,098
77 Erwin4,687 people 21.7% 47.1 4,687
78 Warsaw2,746 people 21.6% 38.9 2,746
79 Map of Ogden Ogden8,249 people 21.4% 45.0 8,249
80 Valley Hill2,675 people 21.4% 46.0 2,675
81 Map of Silver Lake Silver Lake6,563 people 21.3% 42.9 6,563
82 Map of Raeford Raeford4,552 people 21.3% 37.0 4,552
83 Map of Bayshore Bayshore2,949 people 21.3% 41.9 2,949
84 Map of Westport Westport5,915 people 21.2% 44.0 5,915
85 Tabor City Tabor City3,777 people 21.2% 41.2 3,777
86 Map of Landis Landis3,765 people 21.1% 40.2 3,765
87 Midway4,897 people 21% 48.3 4,897
88 Wentworth2,692 people 21% 44.3 2,692
89 Spindale Spindale4,131 people 20.9% 44.9 4,131
90 Ayden5,150 people 20.8% 41.9 5,150
91 Map of Shelby Shelby22,100 people 20.7% 39.3 22,100
92 Mount Olive4,453 people 20.7% 42.9 4,453
93 Map of Matthews Matthews30,577 people 20.5% 40.1 30,577
94 Map of Newton Newton13,333 people 20.5% 38.2 13,333
95 Newport4,441 people 20.5% 44.1 4,441
96 Mountain View3,982 people 20.5% 42.1 3,982
97 Albemarle Albemarle16,762 people 20.4% 39.5 16,762
98 Map of Smithfield Smithfield12,116 people 20.4% 44.9 12,116
99 Pittsboro Pittsboro4,752 people 20.4% 43.0 4,752
100 Map of North Wilkesboro North Wilkesboro4,421 people 20.4% 43.1 4,421
101 Map of St. Stephens St. Stephens9,457 people 20.3% 43.2 9,457
102 Map of Trinity Trinity7,111 people 20.3% 42.0 7,111
103 Boiling Spring Lakes6,347 people 20.3% 47.1 6,347
104 Map of Pleasant Garden Pleasant Garden5,060 people 20.2% 38.8 5,060
105 Map of Windsor Windsor3,269 people 20.2% 42.1 3,269
106 Map of Asheville Asheville94,535 people 20.1% 40.7 94,535
107 Map of Rocky Mount Rocky Mount54,297 people 20.1% 40.7 54,297
108 Map of Lowesville Lowesville3,874 people 20.1% 43.2 3,874
109 Map of Cornelius Cornelius32,783 people 20% 44.0 32,783
110 Mint Hill Mint Hill27,556 people 20% 45.1 27,556
111 Carolina Beach6,745 people 20% 53.2 6,745
112 Map of Cherryville Cherryville6,226 people 20% 38.0 6,226
113 Map of Wadesboro Wadesboro4,972 people 20% 43.3 4,972
114 Map of Kitty Hawk Kitty Hawk3,724 people 20% 49.3 3,724
115 Rural Hall3,466 people 19.9% 42.1 3,466
116 Map of Roanoke Rapids Roanoke Rapids14,856 people 19.7% 40.3 14,856
117 Sneads Ferry2,728 people 19.7% 37.9 2,728
118 Burgaw3,850 people 19.6% 44.8 3,850
119 Map of Carthage Carthage2,896 people 19.5% 44.7 2,896
120 Locust5,840 people 19.4% 36.2 5,840
121 Map of Avery Creek Avery Creek2,887 people 19.4% 40.8 2,887
122 Lincolnton Lincolnton11,783 people 19.3% 37.1 11,783
123 Tobaccoville Tobaccoville2,664 people 19.3% 40.7 2,664
124 Benson Benson4,282 people 19.1% 35.6 4,282
125 Clemmons21,871 people 19% 41.8 21,871
126 Map of Kill Devil Hills Kill Devil Hills7,761 people 19% 48.5 7,761
127 Map of Yadkinville Yadkinville3,004 people 19% 34.6 3,004
128 Liberty Liberty2,682 people 19% 36.1 2,682
129 Map of Troy Troy2,926 people 18.9% 36.9 2,926
130 Map of Laurinburg Laurinburg15,087 people 18.8% 37.4 15,087
131 Map of Mineral Springs Mineral Springs3,314 people 18.7% 45.5 3,314
132 Map of Neuse Forest Neuse Forest2,671 people 18.7% 36.2 2,671
133 Map of Goldsboro Goldsboro34,383 people 18.6% 36.8 34,383
134 Elizabeth City Elizabeth City18,871 people 18.6% 36.5 18,871
135 Belville2,573 people 18.5% 32.9 2,573
136 Gibsonville9,467 people 18.4% 39.8 9,467
137 Map of Granite Falls Granite Falls4,929 people 18.4% 40.7 4,929
138 Asheboro Asheboro27,580 people 18.3% 37.3 27,580
139 Map of Walkertown Walkertown5,873 people 18.3% 38.2 5,873
140 Canton4,419 people 18.3% 36.7 4,419
141 Map of Wilmington Wilmington120,805 people 18.2% 37.1 120,805
142 Lake Norman of Iredell12,494 people 18.2% 48.3 12,494
143 Map of Grifton Grifton2,515 people 18.2% 35.6 2,515
144 Wilson48,370 people 18.1% 39.5 48,370
145 Rockingham8,967 people 18.1% 39.2 8,967
146 Map of Ahoskie Ahoskie4,764 people 18.1% 37.2 4,764
147 St. Pauls2,688 people 18.1% 35.9 2,688
148 Map of Burlington Burlington59,610 people 18% 40.1 59,610
149 Henderson14,885 people 18% 37.7 14,885
150 Map of Conover Conover8,580 people 18% 36.8 8,580
151 Forest City Forest City7,363 people 18% 35.1 7,363
152 Map of Skippers Corner Skippers Corner3,792 people 18% 42.5 3,792
153 Eden15,356 people 17.9% 36.8 15,356
154 Graham Graham18,048 people 17.8% 37.8 18,048
155 Hillsborough Hillsborough9,724 people 17.8% 42.5 9,724
156 Whiteville4,696 people 17.8% 35.7 4,696
157 Map of Stokesdale Stokesdale6,004 people 17.7% 45.7 6,004
158 Map of Kernersville Kernersville27,830 people 17.6% 39.3 27,830
159 Long View Long View5,011 people 17.6% 43.5 5,011
160 Archer Lodge Archer Lodge5,186 people 17.5% 42.3 5,186
161 Myrtle Grove12,637 people 17.4% 42.7 12,637
162 Surf City4,396 people 17.4% 36.9 4,396
163 Dana4,147 people 17.4% 40.7 4,147
164 Brogden2,733 people 17.4% 30.5 2,733
165 Belmont15,546 people 17.3% 39.4 15,546
166 Briar Chapel6,049 people 17.2% 42.0 6,049
167 Swepsonville Swepsonville2,517 people 17.2% 38.6 2,517
168 Map of Hickory Hickory44,258 people 17.1% 37.5 44,258
169 Map of Salisbury Salisbury35,825 people 17.1% 36.5 35,825
170 Map of Thomasville Thomasville27,321 people 17.1% 38.3 27,321
171 Map of Woodfin Woodfin8,048 people 17.1% 42.4 8,048
172 Map of Welcome Welcome3,521 people 17.1% 41.6 3,521
173 Red Springs3,125 people 17.1% 32.7 3,125
174 Map of Oakboro Oakboro2,683 people 17.1% 38.9 2,683
175 Map of Kings Mountain Kings Mountain12,039 people 17% 37.2 12,039
176 Angier6,241 people 17% 39.9 6,241
177 Hamlet5,961 people 17% 39.5 5,961
178 Map of Green Level Green Level3,230 people 17% 32.0 3,230
179 East Rockingham2,779 people 17% 36.5 2,779
180 Bessemer City Bessemer City5,580 people 16.9% 34.3 5,580
181 Edneyville2,716 people 16.9% 37.5 2,716
182 Kings Grant Kings Grant9,003 people 16.8% 37.4 9,003
183 Butner8,065 people 16.8% 40.3 8,065
184 Wrightsboro Wrightsboro6,287 people 16.8% 38.0 6,287
185 Map of Mocksville Mocksville6,068 people 16.6% 42.7 6,068
186 Map of Stanley Stanley4,069 people 16.6% 36.9 4,069
187 Marion Marion7,579 people 16.5% 39.1 7,579
188 Map of Ranlo Ranlo4,617 people 16.5% 35.0 4,617
189 Mar-Mac2,877 people 16.5% 39.0 2,877
190 Garner34,473 people 16.4% 37.7 34,473
191 Swannanoa Swannanoa6,901 people 16.4% 37.1 6,901
192 Fairview3,619 people 16.4% 39.7 3,619
193 Map of Statesville Statesville29,894 people 16.3% 37.1 29,894
194 Map of Lumberton Lumberton18,859 people 16.2% 34.6 18,859
195 Creedmoor Creedmoor4,997 people 16.2% 40.5 4,997
196 Lewisville Lewisville13,828 people 16.1% 40.8 13,828
197 Map of Lowell Lowell3,768 people 16.1% 41.3 3,768
198 Map of High Point High Point116,245 people 15.9% 37.7 116,245
199 Map of Murfreesboro Murfreesboro3,170 people 15.9% 25.7 3,170
200 Maiden Maiden3,788 people 15.8% 41.9 3,788
201 Stallings16,886 people 15.7% 40.8 16,886
202 Davidson Davidson15,660 people 15.7% 41.9 15,660
203 Map of Selma Selma6,817 people 15.7% 34.1 6,817
204 Wallace3,457 people 15.7% 43.6 3,457
205 Map of Wendell Wendell13,064 people 15.6% 38.0 13,064
206 Map of China Grove China Grove4,530 people 15.6% 39.2 4,530
207 Map of Randleman Randleman4,644 people 15.5% 37.4 4,644
208 Map of La Grange La Grange2,756 people 15.5% 35.3 2,756
209 Cajah's Mountain2,704 people 15.5% 40.3 2,704
210 Map of Winston-Salem Winston-Salem252,037 people 15.4% 35.9 252,037
211 Lexington Lexington19,690 people 15.4% 36.7 19,690
212 Mebane19,538 people 15.4% 38.5 19,538
213 Map of Summerfield Summerfield11,116 people 15.2% 44.0 11,116
214 Sanford Sanford31,478 people 15.1% 34.7 31,478
215 Gastonia82,884 people 14.9% 36.5 82,884
216 Monroe Monroe36,759 people 14.9% 35.5 36,759
217 Map of Granite Quarry Granite Quarry3,043 people 14.9% 38.6 3,043
218 Whispering Pines5,211 people 14.8% 37.2 5,211
219 Map of Sylva Sylva2,646 people 14.6% 31.4 2,646
220 Kannapolis Kannapolis57,890 people 14.5% 36.9 57,890
221 Lillington4,709 people 14.5% 37.2 4,709
222 Map of Greensboro Greensboro301,198 people 14.4% 34.3 301,198
223 Winterville10,725 people 14.4% 36.5 10,725
224 Cramerton5,450 people 14.4% 34.0 5,450
225 Map of Sawmills Sawmills5,042 people 14.4% 38.8 5,042
226 Map of Marshville Marshville2,615 people 14.4% 40.1 2,615
227 Fuquay-Varina40,485 people 14.3% 37.0 40,485
228 Murraysville Murraysville16,339 people 14.2% 38.7 16,339
229 Wesley Chapel Wesley Chapel9,090 people 14.2% 41.7 9,090
230 Rockwell Rockwell2,782 people 14.2% 37.2 2,782
231 Map of Cary Cary179,306 people 14.1% 40.2 179,306
232 Map of Mars Hill Mars Hill3,025 people 14% 27.6 3,025
233 Map of Weddington Weddington13,805 people 13.9% 43.3 13,805
234 Hampstead9,292 people 13.8% 35.8 9,292
235 Aberdeen9,228 people 13.8% 35.8 9,228
236 Map of Franklinton Franklinton2,645 people 13.8% 38.4 2,645
237 Map of East Flat Rock East Flat Rock6,323 people 13.6% 36.4 6,323
238 Tyro3,833 people 13.6% 36.4 3,833
239 Durham Durham291,467 people 13.5% 35.1 291,467
240 Huntersville Huntersville63,969 people 13.5% 40.1 63,969
241 Map of Dallas Dallas6,104 people 13.4% 40.9 6,104
242 Map of Elon Elon11,032 people 13.2% 21.2 11,032
243 Fayetteville210,815 people 12.9% 30.6 210,815
244 Zebulon8,711 people 12.9% 38.3 8,711
245 Map of Half Moon Half Moon7,378 people 12.9% 28.3 7,378
246 Wake Forest Wake Forest52,844 people 12.8% 38.6 52,844
247 Pineville Pineville11,055 people 12.8% 33.4 11,055
248 Mooresville Mooresville52,381 people 12.7% 35.8 52,381
249 Hope Mills17,939 people 12.7% 34.0 17,939
250 Chapel Hill Chapel Hill61,607 people 12.6% 25.8 61,607
251 Moyock5,684 people 12.6% 38.6 5,684
252 Map of Oak Ridge Oak Ridge7,744 people 12.5% 44.2 7,744
253 Map of Rolesville Rolesville10,766 people 12.4% 40.6 10,766
254 Map of Holly Ridge Holly Ridge4,904 people 12.1% 38.1 4,904
255 Concord Concord108,719 people 12% 36.5 108,719
256 Raleigh Raleigh481,031 people 11.9% 34.7 481,031
257 Map of Unionville Unionville6,954 people 11.9% 39.0 6,954
258 Map of Piney Green Piney Green14,078 people 11.7% 30.1 14,078
259 Map of Marvin Marvin6,692 people 11.7% 41.0 6,692
260 Map of Enochville Enochville3,321 people 11.7% 38.0 3,321
261 Mount Holly Mount Holly18,208 people 11.6% 39.0 18,208
262 Gamewell3,689 people 11.6% 46.7 3,689
263 Pembroke2,822 people 11.6% 24.2 2,822
264 Northchase5,896 people 11.4% 28.3 5,896
265 Siler City7,995 people 11.2% 35.6 7,995
266 Polkton Polkton2,555 people 11.2% 36.3 2,555
267 Map of Greenville Greenville92,857 people 11.1% 27.3 92,857
268 Map of Charlotte Charlotte903,844 people 11% 34.5 903,844
269 Harrisburg Harrisburg19,633 people 10.7% 40.1 19,633
270 Midland4,860 people 10.7% 38.9 4,860
271 Map of Carrboro Carrboro21,204 people 10.4% 33.4 21,204
272 Spout Springs11,242 people 10.3% 32.0 11,242
273 Map of Clayton Clayton29,320 people 10.2% 33.0 29,320
274 Map of Glen Raven Glen Raven3,506 people 10.2% 31.8 3,506
275 Haw River2,824 people 10.1% 32.4 2,824
276 Map of Troutman Troutman3,995 people 10% 35.8 3,995
277 Apex70,630 people 9.5% 36.4 70,630
278 Map of Knightdale Knightdale20,214 people 9.5% 33.6 20,214
279 Indian Trail Indian Trail42,036 people 9.4% 36.2 42,036
280 Boiling Springs Boiling Springs4,757 people 9.1% 22.4 4,757
281 Map of Holly Springs Holly Springs45,248 people 8.9% 36.5 45,248
282 Map of Buies Creek Buies Creek3,746 people 8.9% 22.3 3,746
283 Barbecue5,910 people 8.6% 35.0 5,910
284 Map of Waxhaw Waxhaw22,275 people 8.4% 36.2 22,275
285 Spring Lake11,573 people 7.9% 26.1 11,573
286 Map of Jacksonville Jacksonville71,279 people 7.8% 23.4 71,279
287 Wingate Wingate4,425 people 7.6% 21.8 4,425
288 Map of Rockfish Rockfish3,574 people 7.6% 33.6 3,574
289 Anderson Creek13,927 people 7.4% 31.0 13,927
290 Map of Youngsville Youngsville3,011 people 7.2% 30.1 3,011
291 Map of Boone Boone20,032 people 7% 21.3 20,032
292 Morrisville31,422 people 6.9% 35.2 31,422
293 Wilson's Mills2,753 people 6.3% 29.0 2,753
294 Map of Havelock Havelock17,691 people 6% 24.7 17,691
295 Cullowhee Cullowhee7,973 people 3% 21.0 7,973

How this ranking works

We rank every town by the share of residents aged 65 and older. Retirement, lake and coastal towns lead this list. The town with the highest figure ranks #1. For comparison, the figure for North Carolina as a whole is 17.2%.

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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