The 2020 Census results are in, and the growth is real. Raleigh’s population exceeded expectations and now stands at 467,665 residents, up 15.8% from 2010, according to new data.

Wake County is now the largest county in NC with 1,129,410 residents, beating Mecklenburg County — which includes Charlotte and clocks in at 1,115,482 people.

Why is this happening now?
Every 10 years, the US Census Bureau collects nationwide population and demographic data, which is used to redraw congressional and state legislative district lines + determine federal spending.

What did we find?

Over the last decade, over 78% of NC’s population growth occurred in the state’s 2 biggest metro areas.
Wake County was the fourth fastest-growing county in NC, behind Johnston, Brunswick, and Cabarrus. Wake County grew 25.4% since 2010 — adding 228,417 residents.
The growth spurts in Wake County’s neighbors: Johnston County’s population grew ~28% over the past decade, bringing the total population to 215,999 residents. Additionally, Durham County’s population jumped 21.4%, to 324,833 residents.

Why does this matter?
Redistricting, or the process of redrawing council and school districts, is completed every 10 years after the US Census is finalized. New voting district boundaries must be balanced by population and follow traditional redistricting criteria.

With the census data now available, the NC General Assembly will be able to assign new districts for the House + Senate seats later this fall. The assembly will also determine where to put the state’s recently added 14th seat in the US House of Representatives.