Get ready-to-use data, reports, analysis, and visualizations covering the demographics of North Carolina based on the current United States Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates.
North Carolina Demographics: 2024 Age & Gender Distribution
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates, the total population of North Carolina is 11,046,024. The median age of the population in North Carolina is 39.4 years. The median age for males is 38.1 years, and for females it is 40.7 years.
The age distribution of the population in North Carolina by age group is as follows:
| Age Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 5.48% |
| 5–17 years (children) | 15.79% |
| 18–24 years (young adults) | 9.51% |
| 25–34 years | 13.41% |
| 35–54 years | 25.44% |
| 55–64 years | 12.43% |
| 65 years and over (seniors) | 17.93% |
The total dependency ratio in North Carolina is 64.48. The youth dependency ratio is 34.98, and the old-age dependency ratio is 29.49. In demographic terms, the dependency ratio measures the size of the population typically not in the labor force (children under 18 and older adults 65+) relative to the working age (18-64) population. A higher ratio indicates a greater financial and social burden on the working population to support the non-working age groups.
North Carolina Demographics: 2024 Race & Ethnicity Distribution
The racial and ethnic composition (racial demographics) of North Carolina is detailed below, based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates.
The Diversity Index for North Carolina is calculated at 59.64, suggesting a moderate level of racial and ethnic diversity. This index measures the probability that two people chosen at random will be from different racial or ethnic groups.
The following table provides the breakdown of the population of North Carolina by race and ethnicity:
Race & Ethnicity Population Breakdown
| Racial/Ethnic Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White Alone (Non-Hispanic) | 58.97% |
| Black/African American Alone | 19.48% |
| Hispanic or Latino (Any Race) | 11.99% |
| Two or More Races | 4.63% |
| Asian Alone | 3.58% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native Alone | 0.80% |
| Some Other Race Alone | 0.48% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone | 0.07% |
North Carolina Demographics: 2024 Household Income Distribution
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the median household income in North Carolina over the past 12 months, adjusted for 2024 inflation, was $73,958. This figure is based on a total of 4,496,359 households.
The distribution of household income in North Carolina across various income brackets is as follows:
| Income Range | Percentage of Households |
|---|---|
| Less than $20,000 | 11.78% |
| $20,000 to $34,999 | 10.60% |
| $35,000 to $49,999 | 11.06% |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | 17.08% |
| $75,000 to $149,999 | 29.95% |
| $150,000 or more | 19.52% |
North Carolina Demographics: 2024 Educational Attainment Distribution
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the educational attainment data covers the population 25 years and older in North Carolina, totaling 7,646,520 individuals.
A significant portion of the population, 90.85%, has attained a high school diploma or higher. Furthermore, the percentage of individuals who hold a Bachelor's Degree or a higher professional/graduate degree is 37.14%.
The detailed breakdown by educational level is presented below:
| Educational Attainment Level | Percentage of Population 25+ |
|---|---|
| Less than high school graduate | 9.15% |
| High school graduate (incl. equivalency) | 24.73% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 28.98% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 22.61% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 14.53% |
North Carolina Demographics: 2024 Health Insurance Coverage
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the health insurance coverage data for North Carolina shows that 8.6% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 927,893 individuals out of a total population of 10,837,928 people.
The uninsured rates vary significantly by age group. Young adults (18-34 years) have uninsured rates of 17.6% for males and 12.0% for females. In the 35-64 age bracket, 12.0% of males and 9.4% of females are uninsured.
Children under 18 and seniors aged 65+ generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare. In North Carolina, uninsured rates for children are 5.5% for males and 5.5% for females, while seniors have rates of 0.6% for males and 0.8% for females.
| Age Group | Male Uninsured % | Female Uninsured % |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 5.5% | 5.5% |
| 18-34 years | 17.6% | 12.0% |
| 35-64 years | 12.0% | 9.4% |
| 65+ years | 0.6% | 0.8% |
North Carolina Demographics: 2024 Nativity and Citizenship Status
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the nativity and citizenship data for North Carolina shows that 94.3% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes both native-born and naturalized citizens, representing 10,413,661 individuals out of a total population of 11,046,024 people.
The nativity breakdown reveals diverse origins: 88.7% were born in the United States, 0.4% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, and 1.0% were born abroad of American parent(s).
Among the foreign-born population, 4.2% of the total population have become naturalized U.S. citizens (460,803 individuals), while 5.7% are non-citizens (632,363 individuals).
| Nativity/Citizenship Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Born in the United States | 88.7% |
| Born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas | 0.4% |
| Born abroad of American parent(s) | 1.0% |
| U.S. citizen by naturalization | 4.2% |
| Not a U.S. citizen | 5.7% |
| Total U.S. Citizens | 94.3% |
Means of Transportation to Work in North Carolina Demographics: 2024 Gender & Age Distribution
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the commuting patterns for North Carolina show that 80.7% of workers commute by car, truck, or van. This represents 4,336,331 workers out of a total workforce of 5,375,927 people.
Public transportation usage stands at 0.8% (43,422 workers), which includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries, but excludes taxicabs. Active transportation methods include walking (1.6%) and bicycling (0.2%).
Remote work has become an increasingly important commuting option, with 15.4% of workers in North Carolina working from home. An additional 1.3% use other means such as taxicabs, motorcycles, or other forms of transportation. These alternative commuting patterns reflect changing work arrangements and transportation preferences in the modern workforce.
| Transportation Method | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Car, truck, or van | 80.7% |
| Public transportation | 0.8% |
| Bicycle | 0.2% |
| Walked | 1.6% |
| Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means | 1.3% |
| Worked from home | 15.4% |
| Total Workers | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
The age breakdown for the population of North Carolina is as follows:
| Age Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 5.48% |
| 5–17 years (children) | 15.79% |
| 18–24 years (young adults) | 9.51% |
| 25–34 years | 13.41% |
| 35–54 years | 25.44% |
| 55–64 years | 12.43% |
| 65 years and over (seniors) | 17.93% |