Demographics

Ø  The United States Census Bureau, as of July 1, 2009, estimated North Carolina's population at 9,380,884 which represents an increase of 1,340,334, or 16.7%, since the last census in 2000.

Ø  Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 192,099 people, and migration within the country produced a net gain of 591,283 people.

Ø  Between 2005 and 2006, North Carolina passed New Jersey to become the 10th most populous state.

Demographics of North Carolina

By race	White	Black	AIAN*	Asian	NHPI*
2000 (total population)	75.27%	22.20%	1.65%	1.70%	0.11%
2000 (Hispanic only)	4.28%	0.33%	0.10%	0.05%	0.03%
2005 (total population)	74.95%	22.29%	1.65%	2.06%	0.12%
2005 (Hispanic only)	5.89%	0.37%	0.12%	0.05%	0.03%
Growth 2000–05 (total population)	7.41%	8.31%	7.51%	30.62%	17.92%
Growth 2000–05 (non-Hispanic only)	4.93%	8.13%	6.31%	30.71%	16.84%
Growth 2000–05 (Hispanic only)	48.62%	20.36%	25.79%	27.15%	21.63%

Ø  In 2010, the U.S. Census estimated that the racial makeup of North Carolina was as follows: 70% White American, 23% African-American, and 1.2% American Indian; 5.8% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

Ø  North Carolina has historically been a rural state, with most of the population living on farms or in small towns. However, over the last 30 years the state has undergone rapid urbanization, and today most of North Carolina's residents live in urban and suburban areas, as in most of the United States.

Ø  In particular, the cities of Charlotte and Raleigh have become major urban centers, with large, diverse, mainly affluent and rapidly growing populations. The state has received considerable immigration from Latin America, India, and Southeast Asia.