Rise Of Smaller Cities

The Rise of Smaller Cities Across North Carolina
Original Content by Carl Johnson

There is no surprise to the people how live in North Carolina that it is the best place to be and the influx of people moving into the state over the years is an indicator that the world knows how special NC is. As the 9th largest state in population, North Carolina has seen the 3rd most growth in new residences, only behind the states of Texas and Florida (North Carolina’s Strong Population Growth Continues | NC OSBM). To put it into perspective, according to the NC’s Office of State Budget and Management, “on average, North Carolina gained 99,000 people from other states annually since 2020 – the equivalent of adding a little more than the population of Asheville annually” (North Carolina’s Strong Population Growth Continues | NC OSBM). We already know why everyone wants to live here - job opportunities, higher education, the great outdoors, community and more . . . but the question is where are all of these people living? Read our article below to learn about the rise of small cities across North Carolina featuring eleven key towns we love.

Boom Towns We Love at a Glance
Small Towns NC in order from fastest growth percentage and down based on graphs above:

1. Garner +3.80
2. Mebane +3.26
3. Graham +2.17
4. Burlington +1.41
5. Haw River +1.32
6. Gibsonville +1.25
7. Efland +0.84
8. Oxford +0.65%
9. Hillsborough +0.32
10. Roxboro +0.28%
11. Rocky Mount -0.04

Towns by the Numbers (state rank by population/growth):

• Burlington (18th/+1.41)
  • “Burlington is a city located in Alamance County North Carolina. Burlington has a 2024 population of 60,877. Burlington is currently growing at a rate of 1.41% annually and its population has increased by 5.88% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 57,496 in 2020” (Burlington, North Carolina Population 2024).​

• Efland (478th/+0.84)
  • “Efland is a CDP located in Orange County North Carolina. Efland has a 2024 population of 840. Efland is currently growing at a rate of 0.84% annually and its population has increased by 4.48% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 804 in 2020” (Efland, North Carolina Population 2024).

• Garner (29th/+3.80)
  • “Garner is a town located in Wake County North Carolina. Garner has a 2024 population of 36,605. Garner is currently growing at a rate of 3.8% annually and its population has increased by 17.15% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 31,245 in 2020” (Garner, North Carolina Population 2024).

• Gibsonville (104th/+1.25)
  • “Gibsonville is a town located in Guilford County North Carolina. Gibsonville has a 2024 population of 9,615. Gibsonville is currently growing at a rate of 1.25% annually and its population has increased by 5.21% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 9,139 in 2020” (Gibsonville, North Carolina Population 2024). ​

• Graham (56th/+2.17)
  • “Graham is a city located in Alamance County North Carolina. Graham has a 2024 population of 18,752. Graham is currently growing at a rate of 2.17% annually and its population has increased by 9.28% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 17,160 in 2020” (Graham, North Carolina Population 2024). ​

• Haw River (297th/+1.32)
  • “Haw River is a town located in Alamance County North Carolina. Haw River has a 2024 population of 2,379. Haw River is currently growing at a rate of 1.32% annually and its population has increased by 5.59% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 2,253 in 2020” (Haw River, North Carolina Population 2024).

• Hillsborough (101th/+0.32)
  • “Hillsborough is a town located in Orange County North Carolina. Hillsborough has a 2024 population of 9,788. Hillsborough is currently growing at a rate of 0.32% annually and its population has increased by 1.28% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 9,664 in 2020” (Hillsborough, North Carolina Population 2024).

• Mebane (48th/+3.26)
  • “Mebane is a city located in Alamance County North Carolina. Mebane has a 2024 population of 20,872. Mebane is currently growing at a rate of 3.27% annually and its population has increased by 14.49% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 18,231 in 2020” (Mebane, North Carolina Population 2024).

• Oxford (108th/+0.65)
  • “Oxford is a city located in Granville County North Carolina. Oxford has a 2024 population of 9,030. Oxford is currently growing at a rate of 0.65% annually and its population has increased by 2.66% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 8,796 in 2020” (Oxford, North Carolina Population 2024). 

• Rocky Mount (22nd/-0.04) 
  • Though their growth is slightly negative currently, we love the small town of Rocky Mount and see a great interest and potential for it to continue to grow. You can see its positive historical growth on the graph below. Love Rocky Mount! 
  • “Rocky Mount is a city located in Nash & Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Rocky Mount has a 2024 population of 54,222. Rocky Mount is currently declining at a rate of -0.04% annually and its population has decreased by -0.17% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 54,312 in 2020” (Rocky Mount, North Carolina Population 2024)​

• Roxboro (117th/+0.28)
  • “Roxboro is a city located in Person County North Carolina. Roxboro has a 2024 population of 8,235. Roxboro is currently growing at a rate of 0.28% annually and its population has increased by 1.13% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 8,143 in 2020” (Roxboro, North Carolina Population 2024).

Things are Looking UP
The graphics on the above charts are nothing but positive! It is truly amazing how each of these towns and cities has a positive growth in population. These are small towns, outside of the major Triangle, and they are where people are moving. Why? Not only is the commute to any major interstate close by, but all of these towns offer a community of togetherness, good education, and a little more bang for your buck when it comes to buying a home or land.

The average home value in the major NC cites are: (United States Housing Market: 2024 Home Prices & Trends | Zillow)

• Charlotte $393,552
• Raleigh $437,102
• Greensboro $256,416
• Durham $399,032

The average home values in smaller growing NC cities are: (United States Housing Market: 2024 Home Prices & Trends | Zillow)

• Burlington $245,287
• Efland $361,868
• Garner $378,827
• Gibsonville $288,923
• Graham $284,512
• Haw River $261,825
• Hillsborough $456,164
• Mebane $348,881
• Oxford $241,798
  
• Rocky Mount $185,189
  
• Roxboro $206,867

3 out of the 4 largest NC cities have homes that are priced above the US Typical Home Value of $360,385 (United States Housing Market: 2024 Home Prices & Trends | Zillow) where only 3 out of the 10 small cities in NC are above that price. You also, typically, get more square footage or lot size for a better value as you move into those small towns and out of the big cities. Though we are seeing the average home value increase over the year for these small towns, just as it is in the major ones as well, that is just the nature of the current market.

If you are looking for a home that is close to work but don’t want to sacrifice on some other factors, we recommend expanding your search to homes in these towns and see what is available for you. North Carolina has something for everyone, you just have to find the right spot, and luckily we are here to help you, for we know all the best spots! See our website links below to learn even more details about what is it like to live in these great towns, from golfing, local events, fishing and more:

• Garner Community Home | Carl Johnson Real Estate - CARL JOHNSON REAL ESTATE
• Gibsonville Community Home | Carl Johnson Real Estate - CARL JOHNSON REAL ESTATE
• Hillsborough Community Home | Carl Johnson Real Estate - CARL JOHNSON REAL ESTATE