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Which counties in North Carolina are people leaving?

14 of the 100 counties in North Carolina had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025. Scotland County had the largest net outflow for its size: 7.7 per 1,000 residents (−258 people). In people, Cumberland County had the largest net outflow (−2,118).

Net out-migration does not always mean fewer residents: 10 of these 14 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

Data as of 2025 · updated

See the listAll North Carolina counties

All 14 North Carolina counties with net out-migration

Counties with the most out-migration in North Carolina
RankCountyPer 1,000 residents, 2025Net movers 2025ResidentsPopulation change 2020–25
1Scotland County−7.7−25833,322−0.3%
2Buncombe County−7.4−2,056277,417+2.9%
3Cumberland County−6.3−2,118338,473+0.4%
4Halifax County−5.5−25746,534−3.9%
5Hyde County−5.3−244,554+1.0%
6Granville County−3.5−21461,421+2.1%
7Watauga County−3.1−17254,786+0.6%
8Hertford County−3.0−5719,015−11.2%
9Orange County−3.0−452152,498+6.1%
10Bertie County−1.9−3217,086−3.6%
11Warren County−1.7−3218,898+1.6%
12Robeson County−1.4−171119,941+3.4%
13Vance County−1.4−6042,638+0.2%
14Durham County−1.2−430347,240+7.7%

How this is ranked

Counties where more residents moved away to other U.S. counties than moved in (negative net domestic migration in the Census Bureau's population estimates for 2025), per 1,000 residents, largest net outflow first. Moves from and to other countries, births and deaths are not counted. Counties with fewer than 1,000 residents, or without a figure for the same period as the others, are left out, as on every ranking.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how ranks and figures are built. More on every layer: data sources and licences.

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Questions

Which county in North Carolina are the most people leaving?

For its size, Scotland County: net domestic migration of −7.7 per 1,000 residents in 2025 (−258 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Buncombe County (−7.4) and Cumberland County (−6.3).

How many counties in North Carolina have more people moving out than in?

14 of the 100 counties in North Carolina had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025.

Does net out-migration mean a county is losing population?

Not always. Net domestic migration counts moves between U.S. counties only; births, deaths and international migration also change the total. 10 of these 14 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

More county rankings for North Carolina

Counties with the most out-migration in other states

Across the U.S.