Population ranking
Most populated counties in North Carolina
North Carolina's 100 counties range from over 1.1 million residents (Wake) to just 3,245 (Tyrrell). The 25 most populated counties account for the lion's share of the state's people — the top 10 alone hold roughly 46% of all North Carolinians. Below is the full ranking with the latest U.S. Census Bureau data.
Last reviewed: June 2026 · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, NC OneMap
1,129,410 residents · Raleigh
1,115,482 residents · Charlotte
Wake, Mecklenburg, Guilford, Forsyth, Cumberland
Top 25 most populated NC counties
| Rank | County | County seat | Region | Population | % of state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wake | Raleigh | Piedmont | 1,129,410 | 10.82% |
| 2 | Mecklenburg | Charlotte | Piedmont | 1,115,482 | 10.68% |
| 3 | Guilford | Greensboro | Piedmont | 541,299 | 5.18% |
| 4 | Forsyth | Winston-Salem | Piedmont | 382,590 | 3.66% |
| 5 | Cumberland | Fayetteville | Coastal Plain | 334,728 | 3.21% |
| 6 | Durham | Durham | Piedmont | 324,833 | 3.11% |
| 7 | Buncombe | Asheville | Mountains | 269,452 | 2.58% |
| 8 | Union | Monroe | Piedmont | 238,267 | 2.28% |
| 9 | Gaston | Gastonia | Piedmont | 227,943 | 2.18% |
| 10 | Cabarrus | Concord | Piedmont | 225,804 | 2.16% |
| 11 | New Hanover | Wilmington | Coastal Plain | 225,702 | 2.16% |
| 12 | Johnston | Smithfield | Coastal Plain | 215,999 | 2.07% |
| 13 | Onslow | Jacksonville | Coastal Plain | 204,576 | 1.96% |
| 14 | Iredell | Statesville | Piedmont | 186,693 | 1.79% |
| 15 | Alamance | Graham | Piedmont | 171,415 | 1.64% |
| 16 | Pitt | Greenville | Coastal Plain | 170,243 | 1.63% |
| 17 | Davidson | Lexington | Piedmont | 168,930 | 1.62% |
| 18 | Catawba | Newton | Piedmont | 160,610 | 1.54% |
| 19 | Orange | Hillsborough | Piedmont | 148,696 | 1.42% |
| 20 | Rowan | Salisbury | Piedmont | 146,875 | 1.41% |
| 21 | Randolph | Asheboro | Piedmont | 144,171 | 1.38% |
| 22 | Brunswick | Bolivia | Coastal Plain | 136,693 | 1.31% |
| 23 | Harnett | Lillington | Piedmont | 133,568 | 1.28% |
| 24 | Wayne | Goldsboro | Coastal Plain | 117,333 | 1.12% |
| 25 | Robeson | Lumberton | Coastal Plain | 116,530 | 1.12% |
Where North Carolina's population is concentrated
North Carolina's population is heavily concentrated in the Piedmont. Of the 10 most populated counties, nine are Piedmont counties — anchored by Mecklenburg (Charlotte), Wake (Raleigh), Guilford (Greensboro/High Point), Forsyth (Winston-Salem), Durham, and the fast-growing inner-ring suburbs in Cabarrus, Union, and Johnston. The lone non-Piedmont entry in the top 10 is Cumberland County in the Coastal Plain, where the population is anchored by Fayetteville and Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg).
The growth pattern over the past three Census cycles has been clear: the Charlotte and Research Triangle metropolitan areas have absorbed the majority of net domestic migration into North Carolina, while many rural Coastal Plain counties have seen flat or declining population. Buncombe County (Asheville) is the only Mountains county with population above 200,000.
How to read these numbers
County population figures on this page come from the latest U.S. Census Bureau data — Decennial Census P1 (Race) totals, refreshed annually with the Vintage Population Estimates program. For the officially certified state estimates used in NC government planning, the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) publishes annual county-level estimates that may differ slightly. See our methodology page for full sourcing detail.
What is the most populated county in North Carolina?
Wake County (Raleigh) is the most populated county in North Carolina, with 1,129,410 residents in the latest U.S. Census Bureau data. Mecklenburg County (Charlotte) is a very close second.
How many NC counties have more than 500,000 people?
Five NC counties currently exceed 500,000 residents: Wake, Mecklenburg, Guilford, Forsyth, and Cumberland. Together they account for roughly one-third of the state's total population.
How many NC counties have more than 1 million people?
Two — Wake County and Mecklenburg County. Both crossed the 1 million threshold in the early 2020s.
Which NC region has the most populated counties?
The Piedmont, by a wide margin. Nine of the ten most populated NC counties are in the Piedmont; the exception is Cumberland County in the Coastal Plain (home to Fort Liberty/Fayetteville).
Is 'most populated' the same as 'biggest'?
Not necessarily — 'biggest' can refer to either population or land area. By population, Wake is largest; by land area, Robeson County (approximately 949 sq mi) is largest. This page ranks by population.