About North Carolina

Scenic beauty, a moderate climate, a culture rich in history and the arts, and world-class sports and recreational opportunities make North Carolina an exceptional place to live and do business. Combine that with quality health care, top universities, a low cost of living and it’s easy to see why most people who live here never want to leave.
Our state is renowned for its natural resources with more than 300 miles of Atlantic coastline and the highest mountain peaks east of the Rockies. Our communities are healthy, attractive and thriving. North Carolina consistently ranks at the top among places to live and do business.

We’re Bigger than You Think

With nearly 9.3 million people, we are 10th in population in the United States. Our more than 9.7 percent growth rate is twice the national average. At $398 billion, our gross domestic product is 10th in the country, the same as Sweden and the 22th-largest GDP in the world. Our state comprises 48,710 square miles.

Health Care

The cardinal is North
Carolina's state bird.

North Carolina has numerous nationally ranked medical facilities along with affordable health care costs. Four respected medical schools produce a wealth of medical professionals who spend some portion of their careers at the state’s six research hospitals and 100 community hospitals.

Cost of Living

North Carolina’s cost of living rivals that of many states across the country. From housing and utilities to everyday supplies and groceries, and from transportation to health care, most North Carolina residents enjoy a cost of living that is below the national average based on the ACCRA Cost of Living Index.

Transportation

We have the largest state-maintained highway system in the nation as well as more than 76 public, 225 private and four international airports. North Carolina also maintains the largest ferry system on the east coast. North Carolina’s Amtrak operates the Piedmont and Carolinian passenger trains, offering daily service to Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, and nine other North Carolina cities.

More Comparisons

See how North Carolina compares with other states on measurements such as demographics, health, education, human services, law enforcement, environment, recreation, in taxes and spending.

Key Industries

North Carolina is a
powerhouse in pharmaceuticals
and clinical research

Some of the key industries that are thriving here include advanced manufacturing, aerospace and aviation, agribusiness, automotive, biopharmaceuticals, defense, energy, financial services, software and information technology as well as textiles.
Over the past 20 years, North Carolina has transitioned from a traditional economy based on tobacco, furniture and textiles to a global economy that is driven by knowledge-based enterprises. Many of our traditional industry sectors showcase the economic transition. For example, agriculture remains vital with a shift in focus from tobacco to livestock, poultry, and new crops that fuel such areas as wine-making and biotechnology. Our textile manufacturers have evolved by producing high-tech innovations in the area of nonwoven textiles and engineered fabrics.
These industries, along with our universities, community colleges and training programs, provide a continuous stream of workers equipped with the skills that are in demand globally. North Carolina workers are not only highly trained, but also more productive. In fact, North Carolina workers are 36 percent more productive than the average U.S. worker (PDF). That’s because the quality of life here helps people to flourish. And when people are happy and more productive, the companies they work for gain a competitive advantage.

“Creativity Means Business” in North Carolina

A 2009 study shows that creative businesses and individuals contribute a market value of $41.4 billion dollars worth of goods and services to North Carolina’s economy. The creative industry employs 165,000 people directly and sustains almost 300,000 jobs, which is nearly 6 percent of total state employment.