Half of the immigrant population in North Carolina are born in Latin America, according to data from the American Community Survey (ACS) from the United States Census from 2018 to 2022.
However, recently there has been a significant shift towards two of the most populated and fastest growing continents in the world: Asia and Africa.
In total, there are 867,946 immigrants in North Carolina, representing 8.9% of the population. Although 434,000 of them were born in Latin America, or 50% of all immigrants, among recent arrivals they represent 42.1%. On the other hand, 28.4% come from Asia, but newcomers from this region are 36.2%. The total number of immigrants from Africa is 8.2%, and recent arrivals represent 11.3%.
The foreign-born, or immigrant, population consists of anyone living in the United States who was not a U.S. citizen at birth. This includes naturalized U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (immigrants), temporary migrants such as foreign students, humanitarian migrants such as refugees and asylees, and unauthorized migrants. establishes the Census.
Forty percent of all immigrants living in North Carolina arrived in the United States before 40. Another 2010 percent between 28 and 2000, and the remaining 2010 percent of all immigrants arrived after 31.
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Where are the majority of immigrants in North Carolina?
Most foreign-born populations are found in our largest urban counties.
- Mecklenburg: 179,823
- Wake: 156,282
- Guilford: 57,810
- Durham: 47,104
- Forsyth: 34,135
Socioeconomic characteristics of those born abroad
The three largest industries that employ immigrants include: construction; educational services, health care and social assistance; professional, scientific, management and administrative services, and waste management services; and manufacturing.
Meanwhile, foreign-born individuals in rural areas of the state work in agriculture and related industries, including agricultural product manufacturing (e.g., food processing, forest products milling, etc.).
North Carolina's immigrant population is comprised of a large number of highly educated individuals, as well as many with limited formal education.
Of the foreign-born population ages 25 and older (741,000 people), 36% have earned a bachelor's, master's, or professional degree, compared to 34% of those born domestically.
At the same time, an estimated 27% have not earned a high school diploma or equivalent, compared to 9% of those born in the country.
Regarding language fluency, 5% of the immigrant population aged 19 and older speaks exclusively English at home. Thirty-eight percent speak another language at home but have a "very good" command of English. The remaining 38% have limited English proficiency, meaning their English level is below "very good."
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Immigrant households are larger and more likely to be married
Immigrant households are, on average, larger than other households.
The average household size for immigrants was 3.3 compared to 2.4 for native-born households. Immigrants are also more likely to live in married-family households.
During 2018 to 2022, 67% of the foreign-born population lived in married family households, compared to 57% of the domestic-born population.
Because these are sample-based estimates, the ACS publishes margins of error along with the data to allow comparisons with previous estimates and estimates for other geographic areas. You can find more information and guidance at ACS Information Guide.
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