| City | Rank | Annual Change ↓ | 2026 Pop. | 2020 Pop. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wendell | 1 | 8.62% | 21,384 | 9,997 |
| Calabash | 2 | 7.69% | 3,305 | 1,987 |
| Zebulon | 3 | 7.2% | 12,792 | 7,038 |
| Angier | 4 | 6.89% | 10,058 | 5,722 |
| Belville | 5 | 6.75% | 3,415 | 2,376 |
| Holly Ridge | 6 | 6.45% | 6,289 | 4,248 |
| Leland | 7 | 6.44% | 38,032 | 25,145 |
| Fuquay | 8 | 6% | 51,449 | 34,571 |
| Navassa | 9 | 5.19% | 1,987 | 1,385 |
| Surf City | 10 | 5.17% | 5,408 | 3,898 |
| Locust | 11 | 4.72% | 6,409 | 4,858 |
| Garner | 12 | 4.7% | 43,515 | 31,491 |
| Shallotte | 13 | 4.69% | 5,585 | 4,167 |
| Rolesville | 14 | 4.12% | 13,368 | 9,719 |
| Carolina Shores | 15 | 3.97% | 5,760 | 4,558 |
| Clayton | 16 | 3.79% | 33,871 | 26,688 |
| Four Oaks | 17 | 3.49% | 3,082 | 2,268 |
| Holly Springs | 18 | 3.45% | 52,022 | 41,570 |
| Apex | 19 | 3.27% | 83,047 | 65,249 |
| Monroe | 20 | 3.2% | 44,007 | 34,699 |
| Youngsville | 21 | 3.09% | 2,537 | 2,094 |
| Franklinton | 22 | 3.01% | 2,977 | 2,471 |
| Archer Lodge | 23 | 3.01% | 5,819 | 4,821 |
| Wilson's Mills | 24 | 2.98% | 3,076 | 2,555 |
| Princeton | 25 | 2.98% | 1,590 | 1,322 |
| Wake Forest | 26 | 2.96% | 59,869 | 49,725 |
| Boiling Spring Lakes | 27 | 2.91% | 7,075 | 5,899 |
| Selma | 28 | 2.9% | 7,621 | 6,362 |
| Benson | 29 | 2.9% | 4,795 | 4,007 |
| La Grange | 30 | 2.88% | 3,032 | 2,586 |
| Pine Level | 31 | 2.87% | 2,474 | 2,068 |
| Mebane | 32 | 2.77% | 22,559 | 18,255 |
| Smithfield | 33 | 2.71% | 13,470 | 11,380 |
| Graham | 34 | 2.67% | 20,669 | 17,166 |
| Kenly | 35 | 2.67% | 1,768 | 1,500 |
| Waxhaw | 36 | 2.62% | 23,746 | 20,781 |
| St. James | 37 | 2.58% | 7,507 | 6,548 |
| Mars Hill | 38 | 2.54% | 2,338 | 2,038 |
| Chapel Hill | 39 | 2.49% | 65,149 | 57,043 |
| Knightdale | 40 | 2.48% | 23,719 | 19,501 |
| Oak Island | 41 | 2.47% | 9,568 | 8,386 |
| Lincolnton | 42 | 2.44% | 12,769 | 11,126 |
| Murphy | 43 | 2.43% | 1,852 | 1,613 |
| Banner Elk | 44 | 2.42% | 1,272 | 1,118 |
| Aberdeen | 45 | 2.39% | 10,307 | 8,629 |
| Swansboro | 46 | 2.37% | 4,273 | 3,754 |
| Mooresville | 47 | 2.21% | 57,078 | 50,555 |
| Kannapolis | 48 | 2.18% | 63,053 | 55,350 |
| Davidson | 49 | 2.17% | 17,023 | 14,885 |
| Beaufort | 50 | 2.16% | 5,018 | 4,475 |
| Louisburg | 51 | 2.13% | 3,554 | 3,113 |
| Sanford | 52 | 2.12% | 34,861 | 30,227 |
| Troutman | 53 | 2.1% | 4,427 | 3,830 |
| New Bern | 54 | 2.06% | 35,440 | 31,343 |
| Pittsboro | 55 | 2.06% | 5,158 | 4,563 |
| Unionville | 56 | 2.03% | 7,471 | 6,667 |
| Indian Trail | 57 | 2.03% | 45,201 | 40,370 |
| Mineral Springs | 58 | 2.02% | 3,585 | 3,201 |
| Wesley Chapel | 59 | 2.02% | 9,759 | 8,719 |
| Marvin | 60 | 2.02% | 7,182 | 6,417 |
| Stallings | 61 | 2.01% | 18,117 | 16,192 |
| Pineville | 62 | 2.01% | 12,089 | 10,638 |
| Cornelius | 63 | 2% | 35,796 | 31,515 |
| Weddington | 64 | 2% | 14,807 | 13,246 |
| Huntersville | 65 | 1.98% | 69,892 | 61,609 |
| Fairview | 66 | 1.97% | 3,880 | 3,478 |
| Lake Park | 67 | 1.97% | 3,680 | 3,301 |
| Mint Hill | 68 | 1.96% | 30,054 | 26,529 |
| Statesville | 69 | 1.95% | 32,809 | 28,627 |
| Matthews | 70 | 1.94% | 33,406 | 29,517 |
| Southport | 71 | 1.94% | 4,520 | 3,985 |
| Hemby Bridge | 72 | 1.93% | 1,798 | 1,616 |
| Robbins | 73 | 1.92% | 1,330 | 1,177 |
| Southern Pines | 74 | 1.9% | 17,687 | 15,706 |
| Sunset Beach | 75 | 1.9% | 4,730 | 4,153 |
| Carthage | 76 | 1.89% | 3,128 | 2,780 |
| Morrisville | 77 | 1.88% | 33,075 | 30,106 |
| Wilmington | 78 | 1.87% | 129,181 | 115,947 |
| Coats | 79 | 1.86% | 2,414 | 2,147 |
| Whispering Pines | 80 | 1.85% | 5,607 | 4,992 |
| Foxfire | 81 | 1.82% | 1,452 | 1,293 |
| Kernersville | 82 | 1.82% | 29,658 | 26,565 |
| Erwin | 83 | 1.8% | 5,045 | 4,509 |
| Charlotte | 84 | 1.79% | 982,070 | 874,907 |
| Harrisburg | 85 | 1.75% | 21,106 | 18,937 |
| Midland | 86 | 1.73% | 5,240 | 4,707 |
| King | 87 | 1.72% | 8,114 | 7,213 |
| Concord | 88 | 1.71% | 116,559 | 104,889 |
| Stanfield | 89 | 1.66% | 1,773 | 1,591 |
| Marshville | 90 | 1.64% | 2,784 | 2,540 |
| Raleigh | 91 | 1.61% | 514,482 | 466,310 |
| Burlington | 92 | 1.61% | 62,486 | 57,561 |
| Wingate | 93 | 1.6% | 4,702 | 4,310 |
| Oakboro | 94 | 1.6% | 2,353 | 2,123 |
| Mount Pleasant | 95 | 1.6% | 1,845 | 1,673 |
| Broadway | 96 | 1.59% | 1,402 | 1,273 |
| Belmont | 97 | 1.57% | 16,672 | 15,164 |
| Durham | 98 | 1.56% | 310,342 | 281,709 |
| Green Level | 99 | 1.55% | 3,462 | 3,152 |
| North Topsail Beach | 100 | 1.55% | 1,114 | 1,010 |
| Richlands | 101 | 1.53% | 2,523 | 2,291 |
| Gastonia | 102 | 1.52% | 88,392 | 80,572 |
| Norwood | 103 | 1.52% | 2,607 | 2,365 |
| Gibsonville | 104 | 1.5% | 10,024 | 9,149 |
| Troy | 105 | 1.49% | 3,065 | 2,838 |
| Albemarle | 106 | 1.45% | 18,027 | 16,417 |
| Wallburg | 107 | 1.44% | 3,302 | 3,026 |
| Haw River | 108 | 1.44% | 2,460 | 2,257 |
| Midway | 109 | 1.43% | 5,177 | 4,749 |
| Swepsonville | 110 | 1.41% | 2,669 | 2,453 |
| Lowell | 111 | 1.4% | 3,994 | 3,662 |
| Dallas | 112 | 1.38% | 6,480 | 5,947 |
| Tobaccoville | 113 | 1.37% | 2,808 | 2,571 |
| Denton | 114 | 1.37% | 1,632 | 1,501 |
| Lewisville | 115 | 1.35% | 14,615 | 13,420 |
| Ranlo | 116 | 1.34% | 4,913 | 4,518 |
| Walkertown | 117 | 1.34% | 6,202 | 5,697 |
| Clemmons | 118 | 1.34% | 23,113 | 21,234 |
| Kings Mountain | 119 | 1.34% | 12,279 | 11,314 |
| Mount Holly | 120 | 1.33% | 19,287 | 17,743 |
| Andrews | 121 | 1.33% | 1,823 | 1,673 |
| Cramerton | 122 | 1.31% | 5,788 | 5,328 |
| Bessemer City | 123 | 1.3% | 5,910 | 5,445 |
| Rural Hall | 124 | 1.28% | 3,653 | 3,365 |
| Mocksville | 125 | 1.27% | 6,362 | 5,917 |
| Cherryville | 126 | 1.27% | 6,606 | 6,102 |
| Stanley | 127 | 1.25% | 4,290 | 3,971 |
| Bermuda Run | 128 | 1.23% | 3,364 | 3,133 |
| Waynesville | 129 | 1.14% | 11,131 | 10,231 |
| Greenville | 130 | 1.12% | 97,520 | 90,944 |
| Beulaville | 131 | 1.11% | 1,189 | 1,114 |
| Wallace | 132 | 1.09% | 3,609 | 3,377 |
| Carolina Beach | 133 | 1.09% | 6,945 | 6,571 |
| Pinebluff | 134 | 1.08% | 1,588 | 1,475 |
| Pinehurst | 135 | 1.08% | 18,872 | 17,678 |
| Franklin | 136 | 1.07% | 4,450 | 4,172 |
| Maiden | 137 | 1.05% | 3,963 | 3,695 |
| Tryon | 138 | 1.04% | 1,651 | 1,550 |
| Biltmore Forest | 139 | 1.02% | 1,484 | 1,404 |
| Cary | 140 | 1.01% | 185,432 | 174,773 |
| Siler City | 141 | 1.01% | 8,237 | 7,761 |
| Weaverville | 142 | 1% | 4,838 | 4,593 |
| Dunn | 143 | 1% | 8,902 | 8,439 |
| Red Springs | 144 | 1% | 3,248 | 3,086 |
| Sparta | 145 | 0.99% | 1,937 | 1,831 |
| Salisbury | 146 | 0.98% | 37,239 | 35,211 |
| Highlands | 147 | 0.98% | 1,138 | 1,069 |
| Laurel Park | 148 | 0.97% | 2,383 | 2,247 |
| Sylva | 149 | 0.97% | 2,717 | 2,581 |
| Mills River | 150 | 0.96% | 7,576 | 7,133 |
| Fletcher | 151 | 0.96% | 8,453 | 7,973 |
| Shelby | 152 | 0.95% | 23,531 | 21,939 |
| China Grove | 153 | 0.95% | 4,694 | 4,440 |
| Spring Hope | 154 | 0.94% | 1,396 | 1,317 |
| Conover | 155 | 0.94% | 9,022 | 8,445 |
| Red Oak | 156 | 0.94% | 3,556 | 3,355 |
| Landis | 157 | 0.93% | 3,921 | 3,712 |
| Warsaw | 158 | 0.91% | 2,879 | 2,719 |
| Newport | 159 | 0.91% | 4,541 | 4,344 |
| Morehead City | 160 | 0.91% | 10,529 | 9,589 |
| Rockwell | 161 | 0.91% | 2,439 | 2,311 |
| Rose Hill | 162 | 0.91% | 1,442 | 1,366 |
| Long View | 163 | 0.91% | 5,436 | 5,092 |
| Dortches | 164 | 0.91% | 1,113 | 1,049 |
| Nashville | 165 | 0.9% | 5,964 | 5,642 |
| Granite Quarry | 166 | 0.89% | 3,157 | 2,992 |
| Emerald Isle | 167 | 0.88% | 4,005 | 3,846 |
| Brevard | 168 | 0.88% | 8,169 | 7,819 |
| Franklinville | 169 | 0.88% | 1,267 | 1,204 |
| Winterville | 170 | 0.87% | 11,068 | 10,509 |
| Wentworth | 171 | 0.87% | 2,798 | 2,657 |
| Flat Rock | 172 | 0.85% | 3,674 | 3,483 |
| Greensboro | 173 | 0.85% | 311,293 | 295,849 |
| East Spencer | 174 | 0.85% | 1,664 | 1,581 |
| Hertford | 175 | 0.85% | 2,028 | 1,939 |
| Pine Knoll Shores | 176 | 0.84% | 1,435 | 1,386 |
| Claremont | 177 | 0.84% | 1,805 | 1,696 |
| Hickory | 178 | 0.82% | 46,353 | 43,708 |
| Newton | 179 | 0.82% | 13,935 | 13,148 |
| Spencer | 180 | 0.81% | 3,478 | 3,318 |
| Hendersonville | 181 | 0.81% | 15,995 | 15,215 |
| Stoneville | 182 | 0.81% | 1,375 | 1,312 |
| Elizabeth City | 183 | 0.8% | 19,778 | 18,755 |
| Sharpsburg | 184 | 0.78% | 1,812 | 1,724 |
| Burgaw | 185 | 0.77% | 3,933 | 3,735 |
| Elon | 186 | 0.76% | 11,452 | 10,939 |
| High Point | 187 | 0.75% | 121,475 | 114,722 |
| Woodfin | 188 | 0.74% | 8,290 | 7,982 |
| Creedmoor | 189 | 0.73% | 5,083 | 4,913 |
| Stokesdale | 190 | 0.72% | 6,177 | 5,922 |
| Cedar Point | 191 | 0.71% | 1,838 | 1,777 |
| Atlantic Beach | 192 | 0.71% | 1,418 | 1,373 |
| Asheboro | 193 | 0.7% | 28,186 | 27,251 |
| Summerfield | 194 | 0.7% | 11,406 | 10,956 |
| Pleasant Garden | 195 | 0.7% | 5,201 | 4,993 |
| Oak Ridge | 196 | 0.7% | 7,951 | 7,637 |
| Mayodan | 197 | 0.68% | 2,520 | 2,417 |
| Oxford | 198 | 0.68% | 9,046 | 8,779 |
| Roseboro | 199 | 0.67% | 1,197 | 1,150 |
| Grifton | 200 | 0.67% | 2,556 | 2,444 |
| Jamestown | 201 | 0.66% | 3,828 | 3,688 |
| Jefferson | 202 | 0.65% | 1,691 | 1,626 |
| Trinity | 203 | 0.65% | 7,321 | 7,046 |
| Bethel | 204 | 0.63% | 1,431 | 1,375 |
| Tarboro | 205 | 0.63% | 11,048 | 10,687 |
| Ayden | 206 | 0.63% | 5,296 | 5,084 |
| Walnut Creek | 207 | 0.63% | 1,126 | 1,079 |
| Winston-Salem | 208 | 0.63% | 258,880 | 249,208 |
| Boone | 209 | 0.62% | 20,052 | 19,547 |
| St. Pauls | 210 | 0.62% | 2,122 | 2,051 |
| Cape Carteret | 211 | 0.62% | 2,287 | 2,228 |
| Pembroke | 212 | 0.59% | 2,905 | 2,813 |
| Archdale | 213 | 0.59% | 12,326 | 11,908 |
| Liberty | 214 | 0.58% | 2,755 | 2,660 |
| Randleman | 215 | 0.57% | 4,794 | 4,638 |
| Fremont | 216 | 0.57% | 1,244 | 1,198 |
| Madison | 217 | 0.55% | 2,202 | 2,127 |
| Farmville | 218 | 0.55% | 4,602 | 4,470 |
| Biscoe | 219 | 0.53% | 1,897 | 1,838 |
| Lillington | 220 | 0.52% | 5,066 | 4,860 |
| Roxboro | 221 | 0.51% | 8,423 | 8,137 |
| Thomasville | 222 | 0.51% | 27,875 | 27,076 |
| Maxton | 223 | 0.51% | 2,160 | 2,102 |
| Jonesville | 224 | 0.51% | 2,368 | 2,306 |
| Butner | 225 | 0.51% | 8,153 | 7,963 |
| Lexington | 226 | 0.5% | 20,340 | 19,522 |
| Spindale | 227 | 0.5% | 4,201 | 4,091 |
| Boonville | 228 | 0.5% | 1,209 | 1,176 |
| Mount Olive | 229 | 0.49% | 4,543 | 4,395 |
| Burnsville | 230 | 0.48% | 1,663 | 1,612 |
| Lucama | 231 | 0.48% | 1,057 | 1,027 |
| Morganton | 232 | 0.46% | 17,931 | 17,502 |
| Yadkinville | 233 | 0.46% | 3,069 | 2,996 |
| Stedman | 234 | 0.46% | 1,318 | 1,279 |
| Fairmont | 235 | 0.45% | 2,241 | 2,187 |
| West Jefferson | 236 | 0.45% | 1,354 | 1,315 |
| Windsor | 237 | 0.43% | 3,484 | 3,424 |
| Eastover | 238 | 0.4% | 3,758 | 3,658 |
| Connelly Springs | 239 | 0.39% | 1,556 | 1,519 |
| Black Mountain | 240 | 0.38% | 8,523 | 8,442 |
| Edenton | 241 | 0.37% | 4,563 | 4,462 |
| Spruce Pine | 242 | 0.36% | 2,219 | 2,188 |
| Lake Lure | 243 | 0.36% | 1,396 | 1,369 |
| Boiling Springs | 244 | 0.35% | 4,816 | 4,728 |
| Rutherfordton | 245 | 0.35% | 3,736 | 3,662 |
| Raeford | 246 | 0.34% | 4,719 | 4,557 |
| Ramseur | 247 | 0.33% | 1,812 | 1,774 |
| Goldsboro | 248 | 0.32% | 35,123 | 34,452 |
| Hope Mills | 249 | 0.3% | 18,379 | 17,838 |
| Kill Devil Hills | 250 | 0.3% | 7,754 | 7,661 |
| Drexel | 251 | 0.28% | 1,769 | 1,746 |
| Taylorsville | 252 | 0.26% | 2,339 | 2,298 |
| Mount Gilead | 253 | 0.25% | 1,190 | 1,173 |
| Elm City | 254 | 0.24% | 1,253 | 1,232 |
| Maggie Valley | 255 | 0.23% | 1,752 | 1,731 |
| Clyde | 256 | 0.22% | 1,358 | 1,367 |
| Hillsborough | 257 | 0.21% | 9,799 | 9,655 |
| Asheville | 258 | 0.21% | 93,716 | 94,377 |
| Wilson | 259 | 0.21% | 49,674 | 49,001 |
| Canton | 260 | 0.2% | 4,427 | 4,404 |
| Sawmills | 261 | 0.2% | 5,115 | 5,039 |
| Southern Shores | 262 | 0.19% | 3,116 | 3,102 |
| Reidsville | 263 | 0.19% | 14,720 | 14,591 |
| Clinton | 264 | 0.19% | 8,482 | 8,367 |
| Princeville | 265 | 0.16% | 1,288 | 1,270 |
| Valdese | 266 | 0.15% | 4,719 | 4,687 |
| Rocky Mount | 267 | 0.14% | 55,197 | 54,890 |
| Dobson | 268 | 0.14% | 1,476 | 1,464 |
| Walnut Cove | 269 | 0.12% | 1,611 | 1,582 |
| Forest City | 270 | 0.12% | 7,419 | 7,355 |
| Bladenboro | 271 | 0.12% | 1,658 | 1,646 |
| Hildebran | 272 | 0.12% | 1,693 | 1,682 |
| Montreat | 273 | 0.1% | 1,025 | 1,034 |
| Eden | 274 | 0.08% | 15,513 | 15,418 |
| Rutherford College | 275 | 0.08% | 1,221 | 1,211 |
| Bayboro | 276 | 0.08% | 1,243 | 1,232 |
| Glen Alpine | 277 | 0.06% | 1,553 | 1,544 |
| Lumberton | 278 | 0.06% | 18,967 | 18,904 |
| Gamewell | 279 | 0.05% | 3,715 | 3,693 |
| Elizabethtown | 280 | 0.03% | 3,307 | 3,306 |
| Mount Airy | 281 | 0.03% | 10,685 | 10,664 |
| Elkin | 282 | 0.02% | 4,131 | 4,122 |
| Granite Falls | 283 | 0.02% | 4,965 | 4,946 |
| Belhaven | 284 | 0% | 1,414 | 1,413 |
| Pilot Mountain | 285 | 0% | 1,437 | 1,434 |
| Hudson | 286 | -0.03% | 3,785 | 3,782 |
| Lenoir | 287 | -0.03% | 18,366 | 18,353 |
| Whiteville | 288 | -0.06% | 4,762 | 4,748 |
| Manteo | 289 | -0.06% | 1,584 | 1,599 |
| Cajah's Mountain | 290 | -0.07% | 2,700 | 2,703 |
| Kitty Hawk | 291 | -0.08% | 3,667 | 3,711 |
| Snow Hill | 292 | -0.13% | 1,586 | 1,600 |
| Trent Woods | 293 | -0.15% | 4,064 | 4,072 |
| Wilkesboro | 294 | -0.17% | 3,612 | 3,643 |
| Pinetops | 295 | -0.17% | 1,196 | 1,208 |
| River Bend | 296 | -0.17% | 2,885 | 2,894 |
| Jacksonville | 297 | -0.17% | 72,606 | 73,158 |
| Wadesboro | 298 | -0.18% | 5,026 | 5,025 |
| Henderson | 299 | -0.18% | 14,986 | 15,139 |
| North Wilkesboro | 300 | -0.18% | 4,361 | 4,422 |
| Kinston | 301 | -0.21% | 19,664 | 19,769 |
| Fayetteville | 302 | -0.21% | 208,675 | 210,827 |
| Washington | 303 | -0.22% | 9,888 | 10,061 |
| Chadbourn | 304 | -0.26% | 1,535 | 1,556 |
| Bryson City | 305 | -0.26% | 1,521 | 1,546 |
| Yanceyville | 306 | -0.27% | 1,845 | 1,865 |
| Laurinburg | 307 | -0.29% | 14,540 | 15,094 |
| Nags Head | 308 | -0.35% | 3,106 | 3,179 |
| Kure Beach | 309 | -0.37% | 2,137 | 2,182 |
| Carrboro | 310 | -0.39% | 20,881 | 21,280 |
| Tabor City | 311 | -0.41% | 3,870 | 3,877 |
| Marion | 312 | -0.51% | 7,402 | 7,647 |
| Hamlet | 313 | -0.56% | 5,837 | 6,023 |
| Wrightsville Beach | 314 | -0.58% | 2,383 | 2,468 |
| Havelock | 315 | -0.65% | 17,317 | 17,898 |
| Williamston | 316 | -0.67% | 5,052 | 5,222 |
| Robersonville | 317 | -0.73% | 1,228 | 1,272 |
| Scotland Neck | 318 | -0.76% | 1,574 | 1,648 |
| Spring Lake | 319 | -0.76% | 11,166 | 11,517 |
| Enfield | 320 | -0.9% | 1,761 | 1,859 |
| Blowing Rock | 321 | -0.91% | 1,312 | 1,372 |
| Weldon | 322 | -0.95% | 1,361 | 1,444 |
| Rockingham | 323 | -0.96% | 8,730 | 9,207 |
| Plymouth | 324 | -1.01% | 3,138 | 3,308 |
| Lake Waccamaw | 325 | -1.05% | 1,226 | 1,291 |
| Roanoke Rapids | 326 | -1.06% | 14,233 | 15,197 |
| Ahoskie | 327 | -1.22% | 4,552 | 4,854 |
| Badin | 328 | -1.62% | 1,884 | 2,017 |
| Murfreesboro | 329 | -3.93% | 2,154 | 2,604 |
| Polkton | 330 | -10.51% | 1,541 | 2,438 |
North Carolina's cities with over 1,000 residents show varied growth patterns from 2020 to 2025. Wendell leads with 8.62% annualized growth, followed by Calabash (7.69%) and Zebulon (7.2%). The largest population centers are Charlotte (982,070), Raleigh (514,482), and Greensboro (311,293). Of the 330 cities over 1,000 population, 285 are growing while 45 experienced population decline. Overall, cities averaged 1.14% annualized growth, with total urban population growing by 9.53% annually.