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NCNorth Carolina rankings

Oldest towns in North Carolina

Ranked by the median age of residents — often lake, mountain and retirement towns. 297 towns with 2,500+ residents.

U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year

Sunset Beach 1 Sunset Beach 69.1 Population 4,351 2 St. James 68.0 Population 7,072 Flat Rock 3 Flat Rock 67.1 Population 3,530
#TownMedian agePopulationHome value
1 Sunset Beach Sunset Beach4,351 people 69.1 4,351 $410,900
2 St. James7,072 people 68.0 7,072 $636,800
3 Flat Rock Flat Rock3,530 people 67.1 3,530 $601,700
4 Carolina Shores5,017 people 65.3 5,017 $288,600
5 Southport4,205 people 64.2 4,205 $437,700
6 Oak Island Oak Island9,030 people 62.3 9,030 $456,500
7 Seven Lakes4,535 people 62.2 4,535 $394,500
8 Map of Fairfield Harbour Fairfield Harbour2,948 people 62.2 2,948 $300,600
9 Bermuda Run3,211 people 61.6 3,211 $347,600
10 Map of Pinehurst Pinehurst18,256 people 60.6 18,256 $476,600
11 Emerald Isle3,934 people 60.3 3,934 $603,700
12 Southern Shores Southern Shores3,139 people 58.7 3,139 $712,300
13 Black Mountain8,513 people 58.4 8,513 $358,900
14 Nags Head3,160 people 58.4 3,160 $490,800
15 Map of Wrightsville Beach Wrightsville Beach2,665 people 58.0 2,665 $1,168,700
16 Map of Trent Woods Trent Woods4,032 people 57.8 4,032 $343,100
17 Beaufort4,689 people 55.0 4,689 $354,900
18 Brices Creek3,415 people 55.0 3,415 $338,700
19 Weaverville Weaverville4,687 people 54.8 4,687 $463,700
20 Hendersonville Hendersonville15,408 people 53.2 15,408 $317,000
21 Carolina Beach6,745 people 53.2 6,745 $566,200
22 River Bend2,874 people 53.1 2,874 $266,100
23 Bethlehem4,101 people 52.7 4,101 $327,000
24 Map of Valdese Valdese4,704 people 52.6 4,704 $209,800
25 Elizabethtown3,277 people 51.8 3,277 $159,200
26 James City4,789 people 51.7 4,789 $204,400
27 Map of Tarboro Tarboro10,770 people 51.2 10,770 $185,500
28 Lake Norman of Catawba9,906 people 51.2 9,906 $492,600
29 Porters Neck7,654 people 50.6 7,654 $569,700
30 Mountain Home3,437 people 50.5 3,437 $400,000
31 Brevard Brevard7,897 people 50.3 7,897 $450,000
32 Red Oak3,405 people 49.5 3,405 $271,800
33 Map of Kitty Hawk Kitty Hawk3,724 people 49.3 3,724 $535,000
34 Eastover3,666 people 49.3 3,666 $241,600
35 Plymouth3,250 people 48.6 3,250 $87,000
36 Map of Kill Devil Hills Kill Devil Hills7,761 people 48.5 7,761 $442,200
37 Map of Forest Oaks Forest Oaks4,293 people 48.4 4,293 $349,300
38 Lake Norman of Iredell12,494 people 48.3 12,494 $887,400
39 Midway4,897 people 48.3 4,897 $274,100
40 Map of Franklin Franklin4,268 people 48.1 4,268 $195,000
41 Map of Wilkesboro Wilkesboro3,646 people 47.9 3,646 $223,700
42 Lake Royale3,168 people 47.9 3,168 $280,400
43 Leland29,607 people 47.3 29,607 $398,900
44 Wallburg3,150 people 47.2 3,150 $343,700
45 Boiling Spring Lakes6,347 people 47.1 6,347 $292,300
46 Erwin4,687 people 47.1 4,687 $161,100
47 River Road3,366 people 47.0 3,366 $232,800
48 Map of Washington Washington9,726 people 46.8 9,726 $206,800
49 Lake Junaluska3,175 people 46.8 3,175 $389,200
50 Edenton4,494 people 46.7 4,494 $274,100
51 Gamewell3,689 people 46.7 3,689 $170,100
52 Mills River Mills River7,281 people 46.4 7,281 $436,100
53 Map of Cape Carteret Cape Carteret2,703 people 46.3 2,703 $375,700
54 Map of Archdale Archdale12,087 people 46.1 12,087 $198,000
55 Map of Mount Airy Mount Airy10,633 people 46.0 10,633 $181,900
56 Waynesville10,502 people 46.0 10,502 $281,700
57 Valley Hill2,675 people 46.0 2,675 $353,100
58 Lenoir18,299 people 45.7 18,299 $179,400
59 Stokesdale6,004 people 45.7 6,004 $379,100
60 Etowah7,968 people 45.5 7,968 $338,100
61 Shallotte4,639 people 45.5 4,639 $349,500
62 Map of Mineral Springs Mineral Springs3,314 people 45.5 3,314 $389,900
63 Williamston Williamston5,112 people 45.4 5,112 $107,100
64 Roxboro8,182 people 45.3 8,182 $157,700
65 Mint Hill Mint Hill27,556 people 45.1 27,556 $428,900
66 Map of Hudson Hudson3,772 people 45.1 3,772 $223,000
67 Ogden8,249 people 45.0 8,249 $463,700
68 Elroy3,251 people 45.0 3,251 $133,100
69 Map of Smithfield Smithfield12,116 people 44.9 12,116 $242,500
70 Spindale4,131 people 44.9 4,131 $167,400
71 Burgaw3,850 people 44.8 3,850 $242,200
72 Swansboro3,997 people 44.7 3,997 $378,700
73 Map of Carthage Carthage2,896 people 44.7 2,896 $208,200
74 Wentworth2,692 people 44.3 2,692 $170,300
75 Morehead City9,806 people 44.2 9,806 $357,400
76 Oak Ridge7,744 people 44.2 7,744 $529,300
77 Spencer3,349 people 44.2 3,349 $201,700
78 Newport4,441 people 44.1 4,441 $233,600
79 Map of Cornelius Cornelius32,783 people 44.0 32,783 $559,400
80 Summerfield11,116 people 44.0 11,116 $521,900
81 Westport5,915 people 44.0 5,915 $580,000
82 Wallace3,457 people 43.6 3,457 $178,000
83 Map of Lake Park Lake Park3,431 people 43.6 3,431 $334,500
84 Long View Long View5,011 people 43.5 5,011 $157,300
85 Jamestown3,708 people 43.4 3,708 $326,800
86 Map of Weddington Weddington13,805 people 43.3 13,805 $824,100
87 Wadesboro4,972 people 43.3 4,972 $153,200
88 Map of St. Stephens St. Stephens9,457 people 43.2 9,457 $213,300
89 Dunn8,559 people 43.2 8,559 $193,900
90 Map of Lowesville Lowesville3,874 people 43.2 3,874 $406,500
91 Map of North Wilkesboro North Wilkesboro4,421 people 43.1 4,421 $212,700
92 Pittsboro Pittsboro4,752 people 43.0 4,752 $376,300
93 Kinston19,505 people 42.9 19,505 $119,300
94 Silver Lake6,563 people 42.9 6,563 $325,500
95 Mount Olive4,453 people 42.9 4,453 $153,500
96 Myrtle Grove12,637 people 42.7 12,637 $439,100
97 Map of Mocksville Mocksville6,068 people 42.7 6,068 $240,700
98 Map of Oxford Oxford8,914 people 42.6 8,914 $196,200
99 Hillsborough9,724 people 42.5 9,724 $460,100
100 Skippers Corner3,792 people 42.5 3,792 $247,500
101 Map of Woodfin Woodfin8,048 people 42.4 8,048 $366,700
102 Map of King King7,408 people 42.3 7,408 $238,200
103 Archer Lodge Archer Lodge5,186 people 42.3 5,186 $324,500
104 Mountain View3,982 people 42.1 3,982 $222,500
105 Rural Hall3,466 people 42.1 3,466 $189,600
106 Map of Windsor Windsor3,269 people 42.1 3,269 $102,700
107 Map of Reidsville Reidsville14,585 people 42.0 14,585 $138,800
108 Trinity7,111 people 42.0 7,111 $216,600
109 Briar Chapel6,049 people 42.0 6,049 $570,300
110 Davidson Davidson15,660 people 41.9 15,660 $687,700
111 Ayden5,150 people 41.9 5,150 $182,400
112 Maiden3,788 people 41.9 3,788 $233,800
113 Bayshore2,949 people 41.9 2,949 $525,800
114 Clemmons21,871 people 41.8 21,871 $335,800
115 Wesley Chapel9,090 people 41.7 9,090 $535,500
116 Fletcher Fletcher8,098 people 41.7 8,098 $331,100
117 Elkin4,043 people 41.6 4,043 $226,900
118 Welcome3,521 people 41.6 3,521 $200,800
119 Map of Farmville Farmville4,514 people 41.4 4,514 $183,000
120 Map of Lowell Lowell3,768 people 41.3 3,768 $200,600
121 Tabor City Tabor City3,777 people 41.2 3,777 $115,900
122 Map of Marvin Marvin6,692 people 41.0 6,692 $906,000
123 Royal Pines4,325 people 41.0 4,325 $400,200
124 Map of Dallas Dallas6,104 people 40.9 6,104 $254,000
125 Jonesville2,860 people 40.9 2,860 $102,900
126 Stallings16,886 people 40.8 16,886 $428,000
127 Map of Lewisville Lewisville13,828 people 40.8 13,828 $325,400
128 Avery Creek2,887 people 40.8 2,887 $412,900
129 Asheville94,535 people 40.7 94,535 $440,000
130 Map of Rocky Mount Rocky Mount54,297 people 40.7 54,297 $165,700
131 Nashville5,729 people 40.7 5,729 $205,300
132 Map of Granite Falls Granite Falls4,929 people 40.7 4,929 $202,400
133 Dana4,147 people 40.7 4,147 $249,700
134 Tobaccoville Tobaccoville2,664 people 40.7 2,664 $234,200
135 Map of Rolesville Rolesville10,766 people 40.6 10,766 $535,000
136 Creedmoor4,997 people 40.5 4,997 $281,400
137 Map of Roanoke Rapids Roanoke Rapids14,856 people 40.3 14,856 $142,700
138 Butner8,065 people 40.3 8,065 $231,100
139 Cajah's Mountain2,704 people 40.3 2,704 $201,800
140 Map of Cary Cary179,306 people 40.2 179,306 $580,200
141 Map of Landis Landis3,765 people 40.2 3,765 $252,100
142 Map of Huntersville Huntersville63,969 people 40.1 63,969 $472,900
143 Map of Burlington Burlington59,610 people 40.1 59,610 $199,200
144 Map of Matthews Matthews30,577 people 40.1 30,577 $445,100
145 Harrisburg19,633 people 40.1 19,633 $478,000
146 Map of Marshville Marshville2,615 people 40.1 2,615 $172,300
147 Clinton8,304 people 39.9 8,304 $212,000
148 Angier6,241 people 39.9 6,241 $268,200
149 Gibsonville9,467 people 39.8 9,467 $298,000
150 Fairview3,619 people 39.7 3,619 $382,300
151 Wilson48,370 people 39.5 48,370 $210,700
152 Albemarle16,762 people 39.5 16,762 $204,800
153 Hamlet5,961 people 39.5 5,961 $112,600
154 Belmont15,546 people 39.4 15,546 $395,000
155 Map of Kernersville Kernersville27,830 people 39.3 27,830 $290,700
156 Map of Shelby Shelby22,100 people 39.3 22,100 $197,200
157 Rockingham8,967 people 39.2 8,967 $150,800
158 Map of China Grove China Grove4,530 people 39.2 4,530 $225,800
159 Map of Marion Marion7,579 people 39.1 7,579 $163,500
160 Mount Holly18,208 people 39.0 18,208 $337,800
161 Map of Unionville Unionville6,954 people 39.0 6,954 $336,200
162 Mar-Mac2,877 people 39.0 2,877 $149,200
163 New Bern32,734 people 38.9 32,734 $240,100
164 Midland4,860 people 38.9 4,860 $369,100
165 Map of Rutherfordton Rutherfordton3,680 people 38.9 3,680 $288,400
166 Warsaw2,746 people 38.9 2,746 $112,500
167 Map of Oakboro Oakboro2,683 people 38.9 2,683 $282,600
168 Map of Pleasant Garden Pleasant Garden5,060 people 38.8 5,060 $223,500
169 Map of Sawmills Sawmills5,042 people 38.8 5,042 $219,600
170 Southern Pines Southern Pines16,420 people 38.7 16,420 $451,100
171 Murraysville16,339 people 38.7 16,339 $320,700
172 Wake Forest Wake Forest52,844 people 38.6 52,844 $474,500
173 Moyock5,684 people 38.6 5,684 $405,100
174 Granite Quarry3,043 people 38.6 3,043 $257,300
175 Swepsonville Swepsonville2,517 people 38.6 2,517 $311,200
176 Mebane19,538 people 38.5 19,538 $338,900
177 Franklinton2,645 people 38.4 2,645 $249,100
178 Map of Thomasville Thomasville27,321 people 38.3 27,321 $179,300
179 Zebulon8,711 people 38.3 8,711 $320,700
180 Map of Newton Newton13,333 people 38.2 13,333 $186,300
181 Walkertown5,873 people 38.2 5,873 $236,900
182 Holly Ridge4,904 people 38.1 4,904 $360,300
183 Wendell13,064 people 38.0 13,064 $330,500
184 Wrightsboro6,287 people 38.0 6,287 $255,700
185 Cherryville6,226 people 38.0 6,226 $232,100
186 Enochville3,321 people 38.0 3,321 $265,700
187 Sneads Ferry2,728 people 37.9 2,728 $269,300
188 Graham18,048 people 37.8 18,048 $233,800
189 Morganton17,646 people 37.8 17,646 $221,700
190 Map of High Point High Point116,245 people 37.7 116,245 $235,800
191 Garner34,473 people 37.7 34,473 $355,000
192 Henderson14,885 people 37.7 14,885 $123,800
193 Hickory44,258 people 37.5 44,258 $278,400
194 Edneyville2,716 people 37.5 2,716 $286,400
195 Laurinburg15,087 people 37.4 15,087 $134,200
196 Kings Grant Kings Grant9,003 people 37.4 9,003 $300,700
197 Map of Randleman Randleman4,644 people 37.4 4,644 $184,700
198 Map of Louisburg Louisburg3,263 people 37.4 3,263 $262,500
199 Asheboro Asheboro27,580 people 37.3 27,580 $188,100
200 Map of Kings Mountain Kings Mountain12,039 people 37.2 12,039 $204,100
201 Whispering Pines5,211 people 37.2 5,211 $464,800
202 Map of Ahoskie Ahoskie4,764 people 37.2 4,764 $143,200
203 Lillington4,709 people 37.2 4,709 $247,200
204 Rockwell Rockwell2,782 people 37.2 2,782 $237,200
205 Wilmington120,805 people 37.1 120,805 $383,800
206 Statesville29,894 people 37.1 29,894 $248,000
207 Map of Lincolnton Lincolnton11,783 people 37.1 11,783 $248,700
208 Swannanoa6,901 people 37.1 6,901 $287,500
209 Fuquay-Varina40,485 people 37.0 40,485 $451,500
210 Map of Raeford Raeford4,552 people 37.0 4,552 $201,800
211 Kannapolis57,890 people 36.9 57,890 $276,400
212 Surf City4,396 people 36.9 4,396 $512,300
213 Stanley4,069 people 36.9 4,069 $270,200
214 Map of Troy Troy2,926 people 36.9 2,926 $160,100
215 Map of Goldsboro Goldsboro34,383 people 36.8 34,383 $200,400
216 Eden15,356 people 36.8 15,356 $120,700
217 Map of Conover Conover8,580 people 36.8 8,580 $271,300
218 Lexington19,690 people 36.7 19,690 $179,900
219 Canton4,419 people 36.7 4,419 $246,700
220 Concord Concord108,719 people 36.5 108,719 $353,700
221 Gastonia82,884 people 36.5 82,884 $277,600
222 Map of Holly Springs Holly Springs45,248 people 36.5 45,248 $535,800
223 Salisbury35,825 people 36.5 35,825 $242,500
224 Elizabeth City Elizabeth City18,871 people 36.5 18,871 $187,700
225 Winterville10,725 people 36.5 10,725 $245,100
226 East Rockingham2,779 people 36.5 2,779 $111,800
227 Apex70,630 people 36.4 70,630 $576,100
228 East Flat Rock6,323 people 36.4 6,323 $245,900
229 Tyro3,833 people 36.4 3,833 $191,800
230 Polkton2,555 people 36.3 2,555 $130,100
231 Indian Trail42,036 people 36.2 42,036 $385,000
232 Waxhaw22,275 people 36.2 22,275 $549,400
233 Locust5,840 people 36.2 5,840 $322,100
234 Neuse Forest2,671 people 36.2 2,671 $228,000
235 Map of Liberty Liberty2,682 people 36.1 2,682 $194,500
236 Map of Winston-Salem Winston-Salem252,037 people 35.9 252,037 $233,800
237 St. Pauls2,688 people 35.9 2,688 $111,000
238 Mooresville Mooresville52,381 people 35.8 52,381 $390,900
239 Hampstead9,292 people 35.8 9,292 $402,100
240 Aberdeen9,228 people 35.8 9,228 $314,900
241 Map of Troutman Troutman3,995 people 35.8 3,995 $398,800
242 Whiteville4,696 people 35.7 4,696 $187,500
243 Siler City7,995 people 35.6 7,995 $154,600
244 Benson4,282 people 35.6 4,282 $279,800
245 Grifton2,515 people 35.6 2,515 $152,700
246 Monroe Monroe36,759 people 35.5 36,759 $309,100
247 Map of La Grange La Grange2,756 people 35.3 2,756 $83,800
248 Morrisville31,422 people 35.2 31,422 $518,800
249 Durham Durham291,467 people 35.1 291,467 $392,800
250 Map of Forest City Forest City7,363 people 35.1 7,363 $160,800
251 Barbecue5,910 people 35.0 5,910 $219,800
252 Ranlo4,617 people 35.0 4,617 $200,200
253 Raleigh Raleigh481,031 people 34.7 481,031 $415,800
254 Sanford31,478 people 34.7 31,478 $245,400
255 Map of Lumberton Lumberton18,859 people 34.6 18,859 $152,600
256 Map of Yadkinville Yadkinville3,004 people 34.6 3,004 $183,800
257 Charlotte903,844 people 34.5 903,844 $385,700
258 Map of Greensboro Greensboro301,198 people 34.3 301,198 $244,800
259 Bessemer City Bessemer City5,580 people 34.3 5,580 $206,100
260 Map of Selma Selma6,817 people 34.1 6,817 $171,600
261 Hope Mills17,939 people 34.0 17,939 $190,600
262 Cramerton5,450 people 34.0 5,450 $343,400
263 Map of Knightdale Knightdale20,214 people 33.6 20,214 $380,100
264 Rockfish3,574 people 33.6 3,574 $199,900
265 Map of Carrboro Carrboro21,204 people 33.4 21,204 $539,400
266 Pineville Pineville11,055 people 33.4 11,055 $395,100
267 Map of Clayton Clayton29,320 people 33.0 29,320 $329,600
268 Belville2,573 people 32.9 2,573 $282,600
269 Red Springs3,125 people 32.7 3,125 $100,800
270 Haw River2,824 people 32.4 2,824 $162,400
271 Spout Springs11,242 people 32.0 11,242 $358,500
272 Map of Green Level Green Level3,230 people 32.0 3,230 $168,400
273 Map of Glen Raven Glen Raven3,506 people 31.8 3,506 $224,000
274 Map of Sylva Sylva2,646 people 31.4 2,646 $201,200
275 Anderson Creek13,927 people 31.0 13,927 $282,200
276 Fayetteville210,815 people 30.6 210,815 $188,000
277 Brogden2,733 people 30.5 2,733 $96,400
278 Map of Piney Green Piney Green14,078 people 30.1 14,078 $227,600
279 Map of Youngsville Youngsville3,011 people 30.1 3,011 $434,100
280 Emma2,657 people 29.7 2,657 $92,300
281 Wilson's Mills2,753 people 29.0 2,753 $241,800
282 Map of Half Moon Half Moon7,378 people 28.3 7,378 $182,500
283 Northchase5,896 people 28.3 5,896 $318,400
284 Map of Mars Hill Mars Hill3,025 people 27.6 3,025 $294,700
285 Map of Greenville Greenville92,857 people 27.3 92,857 $233,500
286 Spring Lake11,573 people 26.1 11,573 $124,000
287 Chapel Hill61,607 people 25.8 61,607 $613,700
288 Map of Murfreesboro Murfreesboro3,170 people 25.7 3,170 $158,600
289 Map of Havelock Havelock17,691 people 24.7 17,691 $207,700
290 Pembroke2,822 people 24.2 2,822 $129,400
291 Map of Jacksonville Jacksonville71,279 people 23.4 71,279 $210,100
292 Boiling Springs4,757 people 22.4 4,757 $265,400
293 Map of Buies Creek Buies Creek3,746 people 22.3 3,746 $361,500
294 Wingate Wingate4,425 people 21.8 4,425 $229,800
295 Map of Boone Boone20,032 people 21.3 20,032 $411,100
296 Map of Elon Elon11,032 people 21.2 11,032 $366,300
297 Cullowhee7,973 people 21.0 7,973 $382,300

How this ranking works

We rank every town by the median age of residents — often lake, mountain and retirement towns. The town with the highest figure ranks #1. For comparison, the figure for North Carolina as a whole is 39.1.

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. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

Same ranking in other states

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