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Which counties in North Carolina are losing population?

12 of the 100 counties in North Carolina had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020. Hertford County lost the largest share, down 11.2% (−2,399 people).

Of the 12 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 11 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 1 (Census Bureau components of population change).

Data as of 2025 · updated

See the listAll North Carolina counties

All 12 North Carolina counties that lost residents

Counties losing population in North Carolina
RankCountyChange 2020–25Residents lost 2020–25Residents 2025Largest factor 2020–25
1Hertford County−11.2%−2,39919,015Domestic migration (−1,921)
2Northampton County−5.4%−94216,491Natural change (−825)
3Halifax County−3.9%−1,86746,534Natural change (−1,322)
4Bertie County−3.6%−63617,086Natural change (−687)
5Washington County−3.1%−33810,638Natural change (−484)
6Anson County−2.1%−47521,758Natural change (−425)
7Gates County−2.1%−21610,234Natural change (−362)
8Richmond County−1.6%−68842,041Natural change (−771)
9Martin County−1.6%−35321,601Natural change (−852)
10Swain County−0.6%−8314,024Natural change (−496)
11Scotland County−0.3%−9133,322Natural change (−590)
12Beaufort County−0.1%−2444,670Natural change (−1,210)

How this is ranked

Counties whose Census Bureau resident population estimate for July 1, 2025 is lower than for July 1, 2020, steepest percentage decline first. The largest factor is the most negative of natural change (births minus deaths), net domestic migration and net international migration over the same years (Census Bureau components of population change). 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 is losing population fastest?

Hertford County: down 11.2% between 2020 and 2025, to 19,015 residents (−2,399 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Northampton County (−5.4%) and Halifax County (−3.9%).

How many counties in North Carolina are losing population?

12 of the 100 counties in North Carolina had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020; the other 88 grew or held steady.

Why are counties in North Carolina losing population?

Of the 12 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 11 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 1 (Census Bureau components of population change).

More county rankings for North Carolina

Counties losing population in other states

Across the U.S.