01
Location
Neighboring states: Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia.
Local timeRaleigh ·
U.S. States / South · Card 033
North Carolina
North Carolina is a U.S. state in the South. Its capital is Raleigh.
Find North Carolina
● State capital · Gold highlights North Carolina.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
At a glance
- Capital
- Raleigh
- Postal abbreviation
- NC
- Population
- 11,197,968July 1, 2025 · Census estimate
- Total area
- 139,391 km²53,819 square miles · land and water
- Constitution ratified
- November 21, 1789One of the original thirteen states
- Currency
- U.S. dollar (USD)
Sources: Census · population · Census · area
North Carolina in context
Gold shows North Carolina. The dot marks Raleigh.
Alaska and Hawaii are shown in separate insets at different scales.Geography & flag
02
Landscape & places
Cape Hatteras National Seashore protects barrier-island beaches, dunes and marshes along the Outer Banks.
03
Land and water
The total area includes 125,920 km² of land and 13,471 km² of water, according to Census area measurements.
State flag
A blue hoist panel with a white star and N C, beside red and white horizontal bands.
Sources: Census · geographic reference · Census · area measurements · National Park Service · Cape Hatteras
History & statehood
North and South Carolina developed from the Carolina charter of 1663 and separated in the colonial period. North Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1789. It ceded its western territory in 1790; that land became Tennessee.
-
Carolina charter granted
-
Constitution ratified · One of the original thirteen states
-
Western territory ceded to the United States
Sources: Congressional Research Service · statehood · U.S. Census Bureau · historical geography · National Park Service
Economy
Main activities
In 2025, professional and business services was the largest of the broad industry groups compared here by current-dollar output. Other major groups included real estate and rental and leasing, manufacturing, and government and government enterprises.
Total economic output was $893.8 billion in current dollars in 2025.
Largest industry groups · 2025
- Professional and business services: 13.2%
- Real estate and rental and leasing: 12.7%
- Manufacturing: 11.6%
- Government and government enterprises: 11.5%
Share of total current-dollar GDP. These figures measure output, not employment.
Sources: BEA · annual GDP by state, SAGDP2
Population & economic trends
Population, 2020–2025
Millions of people11.202025 · millions of people
July 1 resident population estimates, using the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 series.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau
View data table
| Year | People |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 10,450,215 |
| 2021 | 10,565,503 |
| 2022 | 10,705,768 |
| 2023 | 10,871,849 |
| 2024 | 11,052,061 |
| 2025 | 11,197,968 |
Real GDP, 2010–2025
Billions of chained 2017 dollars682.392025 · billions of chained 2017 dollars
Real GDP measures economic output adjusted for inflation. The chart uses BEA’s chained 2017 dollars.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
View data table
| Year | Millions of chained 2017 dollars |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 482,030.4 |
| 2011 | 484,200.3 |
| 2012 | 488,126.5 |
| 2013 | 497,456.6 |
| 2014 | 509,782.4 |
| 2015 | 525,229.1 |
| 2016 | 536,308.5 |
| 2017 | 546,810.1 |
| 2018 | 556,573.7 |
| 2019 | 567,975.0 |
| 2020 | 564,278.8 |
| 2021 | 599,293.8 |
| 2022 | 620,666.5 |
| 2023 | 643,045.8 |
| 2024 | 664,131.6 |
| 2025 | 682,393.2 |
Government
North Carolina has three branches of state government. The governor leads the executive branch. A Senate and House of Representatives form the legislature, which passes state laws and budgets. State courts interpret and apply the law.
Sources: USAGov · North Carolina
Knowledge check
Three questions about North Carolina.
QUESTION 1 OF 3
What is the capital of North Carolina?
Sources & notes
Prepared 27 September 2026. Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025, July 1 estimates for 2020–2025. Real GDP: BEA annual state accounts, SAGDP9, millions of chained 2017 dollars; industry shares: SAGDP2, current dollars. Data downloaded 27 September 2026. Area measurements include land and water.
Sources: Census · population estimates · BEA · state GDP · Census · area measurements · Natural Earth · map data
The capital clock shows current local time. Statistical figures are dated estimates and may be revised.