Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle area are experiencing a migration boom that’s reshaping NC — and its 11 million residents — as we know it.
The Triangle’s growth is a big part of NC’s population boost, with Durham, Wake, and Orange counties contributing to 15% of the state’s total migration since 2020. As NC adds more residents, it’s not just the big cities like Raleigh that are seeing significant growth — suburbs and coastal counties are also booming. Brunswick County, south of Wilmington, saw an over 20% population growth.
From 2020 to 2024, NC’s population grew by over 573,000 people, with Wake County leading the increase with over 100,000 new residents. Net migration accounted for 75% of the county’s population increase, driven by job opportunities and affordable living. With a 3.1% unemployment rate, it’s no wonder more people are choosing to call the City of Oaks home.
