Share of the population by age and sex, five-year groups

Population of North Carolina, 2010–2025 · click to pick a year
Estimates up to 2019 are built on the 2010 Census, those from 2020 on the 2020 Census. A line that steps up or down between 2019 and 2020 reflects this re-basing, not a sudden change in population.

Year

-5 -1   2023  +1 +5

10,871,849 people lived in North Carolina on July 1, 2023: the 9th-largest population among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The median age was 39.4 years (United States: 39.1); more residents are 65 or older (18.2%) than under 15 (17.6%): an ageing, top-heavy pyramid. There were 94.0 men for every 100 women. Since 2010 the population has grown by 13.5%. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025 estimates (resident population on July 1; public domain). Median age, shares, dependency ratios and rankings are calculated by PopulationPyramid.net from these estimates; the Census Bureau does not endorse this site.

Key indicators, 2023
Population
10,871,849
Rank by population
9th of 51
Median age
39.4
Men per 100 women
94.0
Under 15
17.6%
15–64
64.2%
65 and over
18.2%
Child dependency
27.4
Old-age dependency
28.4
Change since 2010
+13.5%
Dependency ratios count children under 15 or adults 65 and over per 100 residents aged 15 to 64.
Show the population by age group, 2023
AgeMenWomenTotalShare
0-4311,857299,217611,0745.6%
5-9327,351313,706641,0575.9%
10-14338,077324,222662,2996.1%
15-19367,187350,925718,1126.6%
20-24384,812371,679756,4917.0%
25-29347,155349,494696,6496.4%
30-34356,838373,423730,2616.7%
35-39337,966358,457696,4236.4%
40-44326,159350,556676,7156.2%
45-49310,364331,600641,9645.9%
50-54334,601356,924691,5256.4%
55-59324,865352,539677,4046.2%
60-64324,822364,233689,0556.3%
65-69291,373340,385631,7585.8%
70-74238,023289,416527,4394.9%
75-79175,472218,912394,3843.6%
80-8499,196134,755233,9512.2%
85+70,389124,899195,2881.8%
How North Carolina compares with similar-sized states, 2023
RankStateResidentsRelative
6 Illinois 12,633,389
7 Ohio 11,808,390
8 Georgia 11,063,669
9 North Carolina 10,871,849
10 Michigan 10,062,124
11 New Jersey 9,395,315
12 Virginia 8,732,034
Frequently asked questions about North Carolina's population
What is the population of North Carolina?
North Carolina had an estimated 10,871,849 residents on July 1, 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program. That ranks 9th among the 51 states and the District of Columbia.
What is the median age in North Carolina?
The median age in North Carolina was 39.4 years in 2023, the 24th oldest of the 51 states and DC. That is 0.3 years older than the national median of 39.1.
How many people in North Carolina are 65 or older?
About 1,982,820 residents of North Carolina (18.2%) were 65 or older in 2023, against 17.6% under 15 and 64.2% aged 15 to 64.
What does the population pyramid of North Carolina show?
In 2023, North Carolina: more residents are 65 or older (18.2%) than under 15 (17.6%): an ageing, top-heavy pyramid. There were 94.0 men for every 100 women.
How fast is the population of North Carolina changing?
The population of North Carolina grew by 13.5% between 2010 and 2023, and by 1.6% in the last year.
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