Facts About North Carolina's Small Towns

Ours is a state of small towns. There are 478 towns in North Carolina with fewer than 10,000 people. In fact, 437 towns have fewer than 5,000 people. Thousands of North Carolinians choose to live in small towns. More than 900,000 live in towns with fewer than 10,000 people.

Most small towns are located in rural counties. Nearly half are in the East. The eastern third of the state has 253 municipalities, most of which have fewer than 5,000 people. Small town residents are likely to be native-born. More than 65% of the population in small towns is native to North Carolina. Small town residents tend to be older and to have limited education. Forty percent are over 45 years of age. One in five small town residents has less than a high school education.

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