Central North Carolina population trends indicate that there will be many moving and relocating to the state over the next decade and a half. The areas of Raleigh, Cary and Durham will be among the top 10 fastest growing cities within the United State in the next decade. Annual population estimates for major U.S. Cities were released by the U.S. Census Bureau on July 1, 2008. Currently, only Texas has more cities positioned for growth than North Carolina. There were two Wake County municipalities ranked on the top 10 list, Cary at #3, and Raleigh at #8.
Raleigh’s population has increased by 3.8% over the past year. At a population of over 390,000 people, Raleigh is the nation’s eighth fastest growing city. As the capital of North Carolina, many believe that the economy, the housing crisis and gas prices have made Raleigh a more desirable location for those wishing to relocate.
Cary, NC experienced a population increase of almost 7% to over 130,000 people as the third-fastest growing community in the nation. Howard Johnson, the President of the Cary Chamber of Commerce, has claimed, “This market is still very strong, very positive, still building off of the park”, referring to Research Triangle Park. Cary experienced a 6.9% increase from 2007 to 2008 of 8,400 people. Cary was also ranked as the third safest community in the nation.
Raleigh and Cary were both among the 10-fastest growing cities in the nation in 2008, and the same year, Raleigh, Cary and Durham are among the 25 fastest growing cities in the United States. Durham’s population increased by 3% to over 220,000 people. Another area of growth will be Research Triangle Park. The area, a magnet for technology, has played a factor in the growth and development of the region since the 1970s, recruiting highly-educated workers from the area’s local universities and serves as the technological epicenter of the region.
Other cities with smaller growth in North Carolina include Charlotte, Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem. Charlotte’s population increased 2.7% to over 685,000 people as the 23rd largest city in the country. Greensboro was ranked within the top 50 as well as the 45th largest city having 2% growth to a quarter of a million residents. High Point was ranked as the 76th fastest growing city, an increase of 1.5% to over 100,000 people; and Winston-Salem experienced as 1.4% growth rate to over 215,000 people, earning a ranking of #91 in the U.S.
Currently in North Carolina, the birth rate is almost double the death rate . There more than 1 million babies born in the state in 2008. As of 2008, the breakdown of the fastest growing municipalities within North Carolina is as follows:
Rolesville – 23.7%
Brunswick – 18.1%
Watha – 12.7%
Carolina Shores – 11.6%
Fuquay-Varina – 11.5%
Knightdale – 9.2%
Holly Ridge – 8.9%
Wake Forest – 7.3%
Cary – 6.9%
Davidson – 6.8%
Clayton – 6.5%
Fairview – 6.3%
Holly Springs – 6.2%
Garner – 5.9%
Unionville – 5.5%
Marvin – 5.4%
Mineral Springs – 5.3%
Zebulon – 5.2%
St. James – 5.2% St. Helena – 5.1% |