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The Black community is one of the fastest growing communities in America this decade.
There are now 42 million people who identify as Black or African American living in America, making up 12% of the total population. According to the most recent American Community Survey, the Black population in north carolina is 2,165,301 - at 21.1% of the total population of north carolina.
The percentage growth of Blacks in America is the third largest percentage change for any race according to the Census's race and ethnicity definition. As most scholars and historians agree, an increase in the diversity in America is a good thing.
We agree.
But how has the increase in the black population impacted north carolina? Which cities and towns in north carolina have seen the greatest increase in its Black population?
What's the blackest city in North Carolina? Wadesboro took the number one over all spot for the largest Black population in north carolina for 2021. See if it ranked as one of the most african american cities in America.
Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked.
To see where north carolina ranked as a state on diversity, we have a ranking of the most diverse states in America.
And if you already knew these places were Black, check out the best places to live in north carolina or the most diverse places in north carolina.
The 10 Blackest Cities In North Carolina For 2021
1. Wadesboro
/10
Population: 5,305
% African American: 72.05%
# Of African American Residents: 3,822
Percent Change Since 2010: 30.94%
More on Wadesboro: Real Estate | Data | Photos
2. Henderson
/10
Population: 14,948
% African American: 66.66%
# Of African American Residents: 9,965
Percent Change Since 2010: 8.98%
More on Henderson: Real Estate | Data | Photos
3. Kinston
/10
Population: 20,398
% African American: 65.86%
# Of African American Residents: 13,434
Percent Change Since 2010: -8.57%
More on Kinston: Real Estate | Data | Photos
4. Rocky Mount
/10
Population: 54,548
% African American: 63.5%
# Of African American Residents: 34,637
Percent Change Since 2010: 1.33%
More on Rocky Mount: Real Estate | Data | Photos
5. Oxford
/10
Population: 8,721
% African American: 62.23%
# Of African American Residents: 5,427
Percent Change Since 2010: 15.52%
More on Oxford: Real Estate | Data | Photos
6. Williamston
/10
Population: 5,312
% African American: 56.33%
# Of African American Residents: 2,992
Percent Change Since 2010: -7.17%
More on Williamston: Real Estate | Data | Photos
7. Tarboro
/10
Population: 10,915
% African American: 54.74%
# Of African American Residents: 5,975
Percent Change Since 2010: 19.24%
More on Tarboro: Real Estate | Data | Photos
8. Goldsboro
/10
Population: 34,647
% African American: 52.26%
# Of African American Residents: 18,107
Percent Change Since 2010: -9.46%
More on Goldsboro: Real Estate | Data | Photos
9. Elizabeth City
/10
Population: 17,629
% African American: 50.12%
# Of African American Residents: 8,835
Percent Change Since 2010: -14.96%
More on Elizabeth City: Real Estate | Data | Photos
10. Laurinburg
/10
Population: 15,119
% African American: 48.92%
# Of African American Residents: 7,396
Percent Change Since 2010: 0.52%
More on Laurinburg: Real Estate | Data | Photos
How We Determined The Cities In north carolina With The Largest Black Population For 2021
We still believe in the accuracy of data -- especially from the census. So that's where we went to get the breakdown of race across north carolina.
That lead us to the Census's most recently available data, the 2015-2019 American Community Survey data from the US Census.
Specifically, we looked at table B03002: Hispanic OR LATINO ORIGIN BY RACE. Here are the category names as defined by the Census:
- Hispanic or Latino
- White alone*
- Black or African American alone*
- American Indian and Alaska Native alone*
- Asian alone*
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone*
- Some other race alone*
- Two or more races*
Our particular column of interest here was the number of people who identified as Black or African American.
We limited our analysis to non-CDPs with a population greater than 5,000 people. That left us with 126 cities.
We then calculated the percent of residents that are Black or African American. The percentages ranked from 72.0% to 0.0%.
Finally, we ranked each city based on the percent of Black population with a higher score being more Black than a lower score. Wadesboro took the distinction of being the most Black, while Oak Island was the least African American city. You can download the data here.
Read on for more information on how the cities in north carolina ranked by population of African American residents or, for a more general take on diversity in America, head over to our ranking of the most diverse cities in America.
There You Have It - Black Populations Across North Carolina
If you're looking for a breakdown of African American populations across North Carolina according to the most recent data, this is an accurate list.
If you're curious enough, here are the least African American places in North Carolina:
- Oak Island
- Carolina Beach
- Kill Devil Hills
For more North Carolina reading, check out:
- Cheapest Places To Live In North Carolina
- Safest Cities in North Carolina
- Worst Places To Live In North Carolina
Detailed List Of The Most African American Cities In North Carolina
| Rank | City | % African American |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wadesboro | 72.05% |
| 2 | Henderson | 66.66% |
| 3 | Kinston | 65.86% |
| 4 | Rocky Mount | 63.5% |
| 5 | Oxford | 62.23% |
| 6 | Williamston | 56.33% |
| 7 | Tarboro | 54.74% |
| 8 | Goldsboro | 52.26% |
| 9 | Elizabeth City | 50.12% |
| 10 | Laurinburg | 48.92% |
| 11 | Wilson | 48.2% |
| 12 | Nashville | 47.12% |
| 13 | Hamlet | 46.0% |
| 14 | Selma | 44.86% |
| 15 | Roxboro | 44.48% |
| 16 | Knightdale | 43.97% |
| 17 | Fayetteville | 41.01% |
| 18 | Greensboro | 41.01% |
| 19 | Dunn | 40.83% |
| 20 | Whiteville | 40.7% |
| 21 | Washington | 40.47% |
| 22 | Clinton | 39.49% |
| 23 | Greenville | 38.76% |
| 24 | Durham | 38.02% |
| 25 | Reidsville | 37.84% |
| 26 | Shelby | 37.32% |
| 27 | Rockingham | 37.09% |
| 28 | Winterville | 36.92% |
| 29 | Roanoke Rapids | 35.49% |
| 30 | Statesville | 35.43% |
| 31 | Lumberton | 35.35% |
| 32 | High Point | 35.29% |
| 33 | Salisbury | 35.03% |
| 34 | Spring Lake | 35.03% |
| 35 | Charlotte | 34.62% |
| 36 | Winston-Salem | 34.25% |
| 37 | Hope Mills | 31.61% |
| 38 | Pineville | 31.48% |
| 39 | Butner | 30.93% |
| 40 | Lexington | 30.29% |
| 41 | New Bern | 30.22% |
| 42 | Gastonia | 28.35% |
| 43 | Raleigh | 28.23% |
| 44 | Gibsonville | 28.2% |
| 45 | Wendell | 27.93% |
| 46 | Burlington | 27.65% |
| 47 | Forest City | 27.6% |
| 48 | Garner | 27.52% |
| 49 | Sanford | 27.4% |
| 50 | Graham | 27.39% |
| 51 | Monroe | 25.22% |
| 52 | Smithfield | 24.94% |
| 53 | Clayton | 24.58% |
| 54 | Mebane | 24.49% |
| 55 | Eden | 24.41% |
| 56 | Albemarle | 23.97% |
| 57 | Kings Mountain | 22.52% |
| 58 | Kannapolis | 21.55% |
| 59 | Southern Pines | 20.89% |
| 60 | Havelock | 20.77% |
| 61 | Hillsborough | 20.66% |
| 62 | Concord | 20.54% |
| 63 | Siler City | 20.09% |
| 64 | Harrisburg | 18.67% |
| 65 | Wilmington | 17.99% |
| 66 | Newton | 17.88% |
| 67 | Aberdeen | 17.62% |
| 68 | Thomasville | 17.59% |
| 69 | Mint Hill | 17.58% |
| 70 | Jacksonville | 15.72% |
| 71 | Mount Holly | 15.66% |
| 72 | Fuquay-Varina | 15.06% |
| 73 | Wake Forest | 14.68% |
| 74 | Bessemer City | 14.31% |
| 75 | Kernersville | 13.7% |
| 76 | Belmont | 13.64% |
| 77 | Hickory | 12.43% |
| 78 | Huntersville | 12.36% |
| 79 | Lenoir | 12.36% |
| 80 | Morrisville | 11.91% |
| 81 | Oak Ridge | 11.85% |
| 82 | Marion | 11.74% |
| 83 | Lincolnton | 11.72% |
| 84 | Holly Springs | 11.66% |
| 85 | Asheville | 11.23% |
| 86 | Asheboro | 10.93% |
| 87 | Carrboro | 10.82% |
| 88 | Brevard | 10.75% |
| 89 | Chapel Hill | 10.66% |
| 90 | Mooresville | 10.05% |
| 91 | Waxhaw | 9.83% |
| 92 | Morehead City | 9.78% |
| 93 | Matthews | 9.7% |
| 94 | Stallings | 9.44% |
| 95 | Indian Trail | 8.85% |
| 96 | Leland | 8.84% |
| 97 | Cornelius | 8.51% |
| 98 | Cary | 8.38% |
| 99 | Mount Airy | 8.37% |
| 100 | Morganton | 8.11% |
What about East Spencer in Rowan County? The percentage of black people is 85%
Love these reports. I am looking to move and this helps tremendously. Thanks again.