Fastest Growing Cities in North Carolina (2025)

433 cities

City
Rank
Annual Change
2025 Pop.
2020 Pop.
Wendell110.17%18,5589,991
Zebulon28.24%11,3717,041
Calabash38.03%3,2142,017
Angier47.79%8,9295,702
Cypress Landing57.17%1,3151,383
Brandywine Bay67.17%1,6741,322
Nebo77.17%1,7791,318
Cherry Branch87.16%1,6011,397
Governors Club97.16%2,3201,512
Governors Village107.15%2,5181,738
Lake Norman Catawba117.14%11,2488,701
Anderson Creek127.14%18,05914,899
New Hope137.14%1,1551,328
Spout Springs147.14%12,9809,879
Grandy157.14%3,0472,939
Briar Chapel167.14%6,6653,617
Emma177.13%3,7112,532
Dudley187.13%2,4951,841
Springdale197.11%1,4011,237
Leland206.74%36,77325,163
Belville216.7%3,4732,382
Holly Ridge226.59%6,1464,243
Fuquay-Varina236.35%49,25734,556
Navassa245.52%1,8741,382
Surf City255.38%5,2283,893
Garner265.04%41,32831,412
Bonnetsville275%1,5111,315
Shallotte284.84%5,4114,161
Locust294.77%6,2784,848
Rolesville304.5%12,3889,716
Polkton314.15%2,8102,247
Carolina Shores324.1%5,6874,567
Clayton333.96%32,99026,698
Hampstead343.91%9,4046,940
Four Oaks353.88%2,7852,263
Holly Springs363.65%50,44941,574
Apex373.54%78,66865,212
Monroe383.35%41,39634,685
Avery Creek393.25%3,6853,256
Lake Norman Iredell403.19%13,80512,832
Five Points413.14%1,2481,201
Youngsville423.12%2,4492,076
Archer Lodge433.11%5,6944,832
Wake Forest443.1%58,52449,723
Boiling Spring Lakes453.09%6,9465,906
Wilson's Mills463.06%3,0022,554
Princeton473.05%1,5531,322
Franklinton483.01%2,9102,483
Selma492.99%7,4446,363
Pine Level502.98%2,4172,064
Benson512.93%4,6674,002
Mebane522.92%21,25818,238
La Grange532.87%3,0062,585
Smithfield542.8%13,16411,373
Graham552.78%19,84817,160
Chapel Hill562.74%65,78057,017
Kenly572.73%1,7331,503
Knightdale582.72%22,42219,454
St. James592.61%7,5066,549
Waxhaw602.58%23,77720,780
Northchase612.57%5,9924,987
Troutman622.5%4,3403,808
Oak Island632.5%9,5558,387
Aberdeen642.48%9,8108,625
Lincolnton652.46%12,65711,135
Statesville662.44%32,46628,599
Swansboro672.42%4,2663,760
Hoopers Creek682.39%1,6301,392
Advance692.32%1,7221,135
Moyock702.27%5,6345,180
Davidson712.19%16,63314,847
Louisburg722.13%3,4963,129
Kannapolis732.13%61,80955,369
Beaufort742.12%4,9994,476
Myrtle Grove752.12%12,89711,921
New Bern762.1%34,93831,338
Pittsboro772.08%5,0934,571
Sanford782.08%33,65630,231
Glen Raven792.07%3,9503,697
Cornelius802.07%35,07631,523
Cricket812.04%2,6502,453
Huntersville822.04%68,45661,609
Marvin832.03%7,1276,415
Indian Trail842.03%44,75740,304
Lake Royale852.03%3,5713,228
Wesley Chapel862.01%9,6868,730
Pineville872.01%11,79910,638
Stallings882%17,96916,207
Unionville892%7,4036,677
Mineral Springs902%3,5253,178
Mint Hill911.99%29,39826,532
Fairview921.99%3,8503,475
Weddington931.98%14,67613,248
Matthews941.97%32,68029,520
Sunset Beach951.97%4,6104,164
Morrisville961.96%33,26730,072
Southport971.96%4,4263,999
Foxfire981.93%1,4281,293
Lake Park991.93%3,6513,303
Whispering Pines1001.92%5,5205,000
Southern Pines1011.91%17,31215,686
Kernersville1021.89%29,30526,579
Robbins1031.89%1,2941,174
Hemby Bridge1041.89%1,7831,616
Wilmington1051.87%127,633115,887
Coats1061.86%2,3602,145
Carthage1071.83%3,0542,779
Vander1081.82%1,5651,375
Skippers Corner1091.82%3,8033,250
Charlotte1101.82%960,608874,948
Ogden1111.78%9,1829,071
King1121.75%7,9007,218
Erwin1131.75%4,9504,523
Harrisburg1141.75%20,69018,913
Midland1151.71%5,1134,682
Raleigh1161.7%508,316465,861
Stanfield1171.7%1,7381,593
Durham1181.67%306,917281,679
North Topsail Beach1191.67%1,0991,007
Concord1201.66%114,265104,913
Marshville1211.59%2,7532,538
Oakboro1221.59%2,3062,123
Burlington1231.55%62,31957,547
Norwood1241.55%2,5592,364
Green Level1251.55%3,4143,153
Broadway1261.54%1,3831,275
Mars Hill1271.54%2,2422,072
Gibsonville1281.53%9,8939,145
Mount Pleasant1291.52%1,8031,668
Richlands1301.51%2,4832,296
Midway1311.46%5,1274,754
Buies Creek1321.46%3,7513,388
Gastonia1331.45%86,77880,561
Wanchese1341.45%2,0962,092
Wallburg1351.44%3,3023,064
Tobaccoville1361.42%2,7792,584
Haw River1371.42%2,4252,255
Lowesville1381.42%3,7233,180
Fruitland1391.39%2,5512,216
Lewisville1401.39%14,40013,415
Rural Hall1411.38%3,6113,364
Clemmons1421.38%22,78021,233
Belmont1431.36%16,26315,165
Albemarle1441.36%17,58016,399
Denton1451.33%1,6011,493
Walkertown1461.33%6,1075,706
Brices Creek1471.32%3,8294,158
Edneyville1481.31%2,9442,782
Andrews1491.31%1,7851,669
East Flat Rock1501.3%6,1696,108
Lowell1511.29%3,9133,663
Denver1521.28%2,8472,964
Mount Holly1531.28%18,96217,764
Dallas1541.28%6,3505,949
Kings Mountain1551.27%11,94711,197
Bent Creek1561.27%1,5981,652
Ranlo1571.24%4,8154,520
Swepsonville1581.24%2,6142,451
Mocksville1591.24%6,3015,914
Cramerton1601.23%5,6735,325
Bessemer City1611.22%5,8005,450
Enochville1621.22%3,5763,358
Murraysville1631.19%17,28616,174
Bermuda Run1641.19%3,3293,134
Murphy1651.18%1,7131,613
Banner Elk1661.18%1,2001,129
Valley Hill1671.17%2,5042,215
Cove Creek1681.16%1,4001,087
Swannanoa1691.15%5,5284,360
Wingate1701.15%4,5694,308
Cherryville1711.14%6,4586,090
Buxton1721.13%1,5281,558
Pinehurst1731.11%18,70717,681
Carolina Beach1741.11%6,9406,559
Weaverville1751.1%4,8524,584
Pinebluff1761.1%1,5571,471
Greenville1771.1%96,18490,953
Mooresville1781.1%53,46450,562
Porters Neck1791.09%7,4057,693
Waynesville1801.08%10,82510,244
Cary1811.08%184,623174,803
Franklin1821.03%4,4074,181
Biltmore Forest1831.03%1,4771,400
Siler City1841.01%8,1697,759
Maiden1851.01%3,8933,697
Troy1861.01%3,0082,855
Highlands1870.98%1,1301,074
Westport1880.97%4,7064,153
Sylva1890.97%2,7202,587
Stanley1900.96%4,1873,985
Morehead City1910.95%10,0589,583
Emerald Isle1920.95%4,0393,846
Greensboro1930.94%310,258295,873
Mills River1940.93%7,4957,148
Dortches1950.92%1,0931,042
Red Oak1960.92%3,5123,351
Stony Point1970.92%1,5381,546
Long View1980.91%5,3375,095
Shelby1990.9%22,98421,953
Dunn2000.9%8,8338,438
Conover2010.9%8,8398,442
Winterville2020.89%10,99610,510
China Grove2030.89%4,6514,446
Newport2040.89%4,5414,341
Rockwell2050.88%2,4112,305
Tryon2060.87%1,6251,553
Granite Quarry2070.87%3,1342,996
Beulaville2080.86%1,1701,117
Landis2090.86%3,8713,703
Salisbury2100.85%36,89135,328
Nashville2110.84%5,8995,652
Fletcher2120.84%8,3207,975
Pine Knoll Shores2130.84%1,4471,385
Mountain Home2140.83%4,1304,352
Summerfield2150.83%11,42710,956
Wallace2160.82%3,5603,412
Piney Green2170.82%15,13614,309
Oak Ridge2180.81%7,9647,641
Spring Hope2190.81%1,3691,313
High Point2200.81%119,559114,767
Flat Rock2210.81%3,6313,485
Franklinville2220.8%1,2551,205
Fearrington Village2230.8%2,6432,692
Wentworth2240.8%2,7702,660
East Spencer2250.8%1,6381,571
Claremont2260.8%1,7671,695
Etowah2270.79%7,8757,840
Sparta2280.79%1,9091,831
Stokesdale2290.79%6,1595,917
Laurel Park2300.78%2,3372,247
Atlantic Beach2310.77%1,4321,377
Hickory2320.77%45,42943,688
Elon2330.77%11,36910,932
Newton2340.77%13,67513,153
Red Springs2350.75%3,2053,085
Stoneville2360.74%1,3611,309
Pleasant Garden2370.74%5,1894,997
St. Stephens2380.74%9,8409,298
Royal Pines2390.72%4,7834,499
Rose Hill2400.71%1,4171,366
Cedar Point2410.71%1,8461,779
Hendersonville2420.71%15,76715,210
Spencer2430.7%3,4303,307
Jamestown2440.69%3,7993,668
Boone2450.68%20,21719,532
Neuse Forest2460.68%2,2192,016
Dana2470.68%3,7043,830
Sharpsburg2480.68%1,7861,724
Grifton2490.68%2,5312,445
Lake Junaluska2500.66%3,0383,252
West Canton2510.66%1,3811,432
Hertford2520.65%2,0051,940
Warsaw2530.64%2,8212,730
Winston-Salem2540.64%257,403249,231
Rockfish2550.64%3,6373,700
Creedmoor2560.63%5,0814,918
Biscoe2570.63%1,9071,847
Asheboro2580.61%28,09927,243
Cape Carteret2590.61%2,3022,230
Tarboro2600.61%11,02110,684
Mayodan2610.61%2,4932,415
Cullowhee2620.6%6,8376,798
Ayden2630.6%5,2215,065
Woodfin2640.55%8,2037,978
Burgaw2650.55%3,8463,738
Oxford2660.53%9,0208,777
Mount Olive2670.53%4,5224,399
Trinity2680.53%7,2287,035
Forest Oaks2690.53%4,2084,102
Madison2700.51%2,1872,131
Elizabeth City2710.5%19,12418,644
Butner2720.5%8,1757,967
Bethel2730.5%1,4141,376
Archdale2740.49%12,20711,906
Lexington2750.49%20,00119,513
Liberty2760.48%2,7282,661
Brevard2770.48%8,0117,819
Lucama2780.47%1,0651,040
Farmville2790.46%4,5684,460
Spindale2800.46%4,1874,089
Walnut Creek2810.45%1,1081,081
Randleman2820.45%4,7134,608
West Jefferson2830.45%1,3471,317
Morganton2840.44%17,90317,510
Roxboro2850.43%8,3258,145
Thomasville2860.43%27,72427,126
Kings Grant2870.43%8,6738,596
Pembroke2880.42%2,8762,813
Connelly Springs2890.39%1,5511,521
Hope Mills2900.39%18,17217,821
Stedman2910.38%1,3081,280
Rutherfordton2920.38%3,7323,661
Black Mountain2930.37%8,6048,441
Silver Lake2940.37%5,9236,146
Brogden2950.36%2,7722,306
Lake Lure2960.36%1,3951,367
Eastover2970.35%3,7233,658
Roseboro2980.34%1,1741,153
Drexel2990.34%1,7831,752
St. Pauls3000.34%2,0882,051
Boonville3010.33%1,2191,199
Maxton3020.33%2,1432,108
Princeville3030.31%1,2901,270
Jefferson3040.3%1,6531,628
Jonesville3050.3%2,3412,306
Hillsborough3060.3%9,8029,657
Montreat3070.29%1,0471,032
Maggie Valley3080.29%1,7471,719
Fairmont3090.27%2,2182,186
Kill Devil Hills3100.26%7,7627,661
Mount Gilead3110.25%1,1881,171
Walnut Cove3120.25%1,6071,585
Fremont3130.25%1,2101,192
Yadkinville3140.23%3,0332,998
Foscoe3150.21%1,4211,309
Southern Shores3160.19%3,1333,102
Lillington3170.19%4,8574,811
Ramseur3180.17%1,7931,775
Asheville3190.17%95,15194,353
Rutherford College3200.16%1,2301,220
Sawmills3210.16%5,0675,026
Clyde3220.15%1,3791,367
Edenton3230.13%4,4984,465
Valdese3240.13%4,7194,689
Boiling Springs3250.13%4,7654,732
Burnsville3260.12%1,6281,616
Raeford3270.11%4,5834,556
South Rosemary3280.1%2,8872,831
Goldsboro3290.1%34,66234,495
Forest City3300.09%7,4047,367
Reidsville3310.09%14,65914,593
Elm City3320.08%1,2241,217
Rocky Mount3330.07%54,58054,382
Glen Alpine3340.07%1,5331,526
Wilson3350.06%48,60848,461
Laurinburg3360.05%15,13715,100
Gamewell3370.03%3,7003,695
Half Moon3380.02%8,3888,384
Granite Falls3390.02%4,9434,935
Hildebran3400%1,6801,677
Lumberton3410%18,88218,882
Canton342-0.02%4,4214,423
Eden343-0.03%15,39415,416
Wrightsboro344-0.04%4,8714,788
Bladenboro345-0.06%1,6411,646
Manteo346-0.06%1,5941,597
Dobson347-0.07%1,4681,470
Belhaven348-0.07%1,4051,409
Spruce Pine349-0.09%2,1902,197
Lenoir350-0.1%18,26218,350
Hudson351-0.11%3,7673,786
Cajah's Mountain352-0.11%2,6962,710
Elizabethtown353-0.12%3,2863,306
Snow Hill354-0.13%1,5741,583
Kitty Hawk355-0.14%3,6863,709
River Bend356-0.14%2,8782,895
Pilot Mountain357-0.14%1,4281,436
Trent Woods358-0.15%4,0414,070
Clinton359-0.16%8,3048,367
Fayetteville360-0.17%209,146210,894
Elkin361-0.17%4,0874,120
North Wilkesboro362-0.2%4,4034,448
Mount Airy363-0.21%10,56110,669
Carrboro364-0.24%21,02821,281
Pinetops365-0.25%1,1931,208
South Henderson366-0.25%1,1801,055
Spring Lake367-0.26%11,50011,650
Tabor City368-0.26%3,8213,869
Taylorsville369-0.26%2,2882,317
Balfour370-0.26%1,1311,177
Pumpkin Center371-0.28%2,1331,850
Wadesboro372-0.28%4,9515,018
Kinston373-0.31%19,45819,763
Whiteville374-0.34%4,6724,749
Kure Beach375-0.37%2,1462,183
Washington376-0.38%9,7019,886
Wilkesboro377-0.39%3,6063,674
Fairfield Harbour378-0.39%2,7822,803
Henderson379-0.43%14,74315,060
Chadbourn380-0.46%1,5211,556
Southmont381-0.51%1,3721,165
Hamlet382-0.56%5,8556,020
Mountain View383-0.58%3,2663,776
Wrightsville Beach384-0.58%2,3972,466
Marion385-0.58%7,4907,707
Bryson City386-0.59%1,5131,558
Nags Head387-0.61%3,0873,179
Robersonville388-0.73%1,2201,265
Havelock389-0.74%17,27917,916
Blowing Rock390-0.75%1,3261,373
Williamston391-0.79%5,0265,224
Harkers Island392-0.83%1,0781,314
Fairview393-0.83%2,3762,741
Jacksonville394-0.86%70,23273,270
Scotland Neck395-0.88%1,5781,645
Enfield396-0.89%1,7751,854
Elroy397-0.9%3,4024,114
Bayshore398-0.93%2,9843,776
Plymouth399-0.94%3,1603,310
Northlakes400-0.96%1,3391,304
Yanceyville401-0.99%1,7931,882
Tyro402-1.03%3,3553,239
East Rockingham403-1.04%3,2263,338
Roanoke Rapids404-1.07%14,41715,195
Ahoskie405-1.14%4,6124,874
Rockingham406-1.16%8,7009,209
James City407-1.16%5,0085,378
Windsor408-1.19%3,2293,424
Bethlehem409-1.22%3,5563,959
Weldon410-1.24%1,3551,440
Lake Waccamaw411-1.3%1,2111,290
Broad Creek412-1.38%1,9332,306
Mulberry413-1.51%1,8922,055
Toast414-1.71%1,1501,386
Welcome415-1.81%3,2643,050
Seven Lakes416-1.95%3,7704,438
Sneads Ferry417-2.04%2,0142,326
Fairplains418-2.07%1,6061,757
Badin419-2.08%1,8322,024
River Road420-2.2%3,2853,578
Horse Shoe421-2.32%1,7302,174
Bayboro422-2.39%1,1011,234
Sea Breeze423-2.47%1,4241,646
Plain View424-2.75%1,3771,624
Hays425-2.9%1,2741,360
Cherokee426-2.97%1,4702,120
Icard427-3.05%1,8142,119
Cordova428-3.05%1,2061,323
Murfreesboro429-3.12%2,2062,559
Salem430-3.19%1,4881,479
Saxapahaw431-3.29%1,0881,340
Millers Creek432-3.87%1,3161,461
Mar-Mac433-4.09%2,2033,119

North Carolina Growth Overview

North Carolina's cities with over 1,000 residents show varied growth patterns from 2020 to 2025. Wendell leads with 10.17% annualized growth, followed by Zebulon (8.24%) and Calabash (8.03%). The largest population centers are Charlotte (960,608), Raleigh (508,316), and Greensboro (310,258). Of the 433 cities over 1,000 population, 341 are growing while 92 experienced population decline. Overall, cities averaged 1.15% annualized growth, with total urban population growing by 7.76% annually.