Most Asian cities in North Carolina research summary. We analyzed North Carolina’s most recent Census data to determine the most Asian cities in North Carolina based on the percentage of Asian residents. Here are the results of our analysis:
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The most Asian city in North Carolina is Morrisville based on the most recent Census data.
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Morrisville is 42.5% Asian.
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The least Asian city in North Carolina is Selma.
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Selma is 0.0% Asian.
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North Carolina is 3.1% Asian.
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North Carolina is the 23rd most Asian state in the United States.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
Here are the cities in North Carolina with the largest Asian population in 2024:
Which city in North Carolina had the largest Asian population? Morrisville took the number one overall spot for the largest Asian in North Carolina for 2024. 42.5% of Morrisville identify as Asian.
Read 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 Asian, check out the best places to live in North Carolina or the most diverse places in North Carolina.
The 10 Most Asian Cities In North Carolina For 2024
/10
Population: 29,756
% Asian: 42.5%
# Of Asian Residents: 12,646
More on Morrisville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 174,880
% Asian: 20.85%
# Of Asian Residents: 36,456
More on Cary: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 65,541
% Asian: 14.82%
# Of Asian Residents: 9,713
More on Apex: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 58,919
% Asian: 13.38%
# Of Asian Residents: 7,885
More on Chapel Hill: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 18,934
% Asian: 12.6%
# Of Asian Residents: 2,386
More on Harrisburg: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 7,637
% Asian: 12.28%
# Of Asian Residents: 938
More on Oak Ridge: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 21,242
% Asian: 9.05%
# Of Asian Residents: 1,922
More on Carrboro: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 114,120
% Asian: 7.72%
# Of Asian Residents: 8,813
More on High Point: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 13,173
% Asian: 6.72%
# Of Asian Residents: 885
More on Weddington: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 875,045
% Asian: 6.49%
# Of Asian Residents: 56,768
More on Charlotte: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Methodology: How We Determined The Cities In North Carolina With The Largest Asian Population For 2024
We used Saturday Night Science to compare Census data on race across every place in North Carolina.
The Census’s most recently available data comes from the 2018-2022 American Community Survey.
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 Asian alone.
We limited our analysis to cities with a population greater than 5,000 people. That left us with 125 cities.
We then calculated the percentage of residents that are Asian. The percentages ranked from 42.5% to 0.0%.
Finally, we ranked each city based on the percentage of Asian population, with a higher score being more Asian than a lower score. Morrisville took the distinction of being the most Asian, while Selma was the least Asian city.
We updated this article for 2024. This report reflects our tenth time ranking the cities in North Carolina with the largest Asian population.
Read on for more information on how the cities in North Carolina ranked by population of Asian residents or, for a more general take on diversity in America, head over to our ranking of the most diverse cities in America.
Summary: Asian Populations Across North Carolina
If you’re looking for a breakdown of Asian populations across North Carolina according to the most recent data, this is an accurate list.
The most Asian cities in North Carolina are Morrisville, Cary, Apex, Chapel Hill, Harrisburg, Oak Ridge, Carrboro, High Point, Weddington, and Charlotte.
If you’re curious enough, here are the least Asian places in North Carolina:
- Selma
- Siler City
- Wendell
For more North Carolina reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In North Carolina
- Best Counties To Live In North Carolina
- Best Places To Raise A Family In North Carolina
Table: Asian Population By City In North Carolina
Rank | City | Population | Asian Population | % Asian |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Morrisville | 29,756 | 12,646 | 42.5% |
2 | Cary | 174,880 | 36,456 | 20.85% |
3 | Apex | 65,541 | 9,713 | 14.82% |
4 | Chapel Hill | 58,919 | 7,885 | 13.38% |
5 | Harrisburg | 18,934 | 2,386 | 12.6% |
6 | Oak Ridge | 7,637 | 938 | 12.28% |
7 | Carrboro | 21,242 | 1,922 | 9.05% |
8 | High Point | 114,120 | 8,813 | 7.72% |
9 | Weddington | 13,173 | 885 | 6.72% |
10 | Charlotte | 875,045 | 56,768 | 6.49% |
11 | Holly Springs | 42,023 | 2,594 | 6.17% |
12 | Matthews | 29,613 | 1,782 | 6.02% |
13 | Concord | 105,335 | 6,291 | 5.97% |
14 | Archdale | 11,873 | 697 | 5.87% |
15 | Waxhaw | 20,665 | 1,208 | 5.85% |
16 | Durham | 284,094 | 16,173 | 5.69% |
17 | Pineville | 10,532 | 593 | 5.63% |
18 | Clemmons | 21,281 | 1,170 | 5.5% |
19 | Greensboro | 297,202 | 15,824 | 5.32% |
20 | New Bern | 31,373 | 1,599 | 5.1% |
21 | Mooresville | 50,025 | 2,482 | 4.96% |
22 | Wadesboro | 5,004 | 244 | 4.88% |
23 | Mills River | 7,100 | 339 | 4.77% |
24 | Stallings | 16,193 | 758 | 4.68% |
25 | Mount Holly | 17,644 | 825 | 4.68% |
26 | Marion | 7,652 | 352 | 4.6% |
27 | Huntersville | 61,202 | 2,795 | 4.57% |
28 | Raleigh | 465,517 | 21,044 | 4.52% |
29 | Summerfield | 10,986 | 488 | 4.44% |
30 | Mebane | 17,899 | 791 | 4.42% |
31 | Newton | 13,173 | 569 | 4.32% |
32 | Havelock | 16,759 | 680 | 4.06% |
33 | Hickory | 43,352 | 1,739 | 4.01% |
34 | Fletcher | 8,000 | 308 | 3.85% |
35 | Mint Hill | 26,537 | 1,013 | 3.82% |
36 | Lexington | 19,595 | 697 | 3.56% |
37 | Indian Trail | 40,325 | 1,317 | 3.27% |
38 | Conover | 8,457 | 275 | 3.25% |
39 | Albemarle | 16,444 | 534 | 3.25% |
40 | Wesley Chapel | 8,763 | 278 | 3.17% |
41 | Fayetteville | 208,697 | 6,478 | 3.1% |
42 | Elon | 11,161 | 339 | 3.04% |
43 | Trinity | 7,012 | 212 | 3.02% |
44 | Southern Pines | 15,701 | 466 | 2.97% |
45 | Woodfin | 7,901 | 231 | 2.92% |
46 | Greenville | 87,894 | 2,513 | 2.86% |
47 | Knightdale | 19,127 | 524 | 2.74% |
48 | Jacksonville | 71,908 | 1,930 | 2.68% |
49 | Davidson | 15,199 | 402 | 2.64% |
50 | Cornelius | 31,396 | 825 | 2.63% |
51 | Belmont | 14,842 | 379 | 2.55% |
52 | Clinton | 8,362 | 211 | 2.52% |
53 | Winston-Salem | 249,571 | 6,136 | 2.46% |
54 | Burlington | 56,951 | 1,391 | 2.44% |
55 | Spring Lake | 11,710 | 285 | 2.43% |
56 | Aberdeen | 8,674 | 206 | 2.37% |
57 | Hillsborough | 9,534 | 223 | 2.34% |
58 | Kannapolis | 53,314 | 1,233 | 2.31% |
59 | Wake Forest | 48,047 | 1,098 | 2.29% |
60 | Morganton | 17,457 | 398 | 2.28% |
61 | Boone | 19,368 | 439 | 2.27% |
62 | Statesville | 28,576 | 613 | 2.15% |
63 | Williamston | 5,224 | 110 | 2.11% |
64 | Mount Airy | 10,621 | 220 | 2.07% |
65 | Kings Mountain | 11,246 | 231 | 2.05% |
66 | Pinehurst | 17,653 | 352 | 1.99% |
67 | Fuquay-Varina | 35,428 | 664 | 1.87% |
68 | Smithfield | 11,527 | 210 | 1.82% |
69 | Goldsboro | 33,566 | 593 | 1.77% |
70 | Kernersville | 27,177 | 472 | 1.74% |
71 | Garner | 31,684 | 511 | 1.61% |
72 | Morehead City | 9,632 | 149 | 1.55% |
73 | Forest City | 7,357 | 111 | 1.51% |
74 | Asheville | 93,695 | 1,390 | 1.48% |
75 | Eden | 15,349 | 219 | 1.43% |
76 | Lumberton | 19,099 | 268 | 1.4% |
77 | Elizabeth City | 18,570 | 256 | 1.38% |
78 | Sanford | 30,373 | 416 | 1.37% |
79 | Roanoke Rapids | 15,143 | 200 | 1.32% |
80 | Salisbury | 35,437 | 461 | 1.3% |
81 | Wilmington | 116,933 | 1,492 | 1.28% |
82 | Hope Mills | 17,671 | 225 | 1.27% |
83 | Rocky Mount | 54,260 | 680 | 1.25% |
84 | Shelby | 21,712 | 257 | 1.18% |
85 | Kill Devil Hills | 7,658 | 88 | 1.15% |
86 | Gastonia | 80,615 | 921 | 1.14% |
87 | Wilson | 47,767 | 544 | 1.14% |
88 | Asheboro | 27,117 | 286 | 1.05% |
89 | Kinston | 19,704 | 204 | 1.04% |
90 | Winterville | 10,510 | 106 | 1.01% |
91 | Oak Island | 8,564 | 79 | 0.92% |
92 | Oxford | 8,685 | 79 | 0.91% |
93 | Washington | 9,759 | 85 | 0.87% |
94 | Clayton | 26,837 | 226 | 0.84% |
95 | Gibsonville | 8,827 | 69 | 0.78% |
96 | Laurinburg | 14,971 | 116 | 0.77% |
97 | Henderson | 14,997 | 109 | 0.73% |
98 | Thomasville | 27,130 | 196 | 0.72% |
99 | Graham | 17,136 | 119 | 0.69% |
100 | Nashville | 5,624 | 38 | 0.68% |
101 | Leland | 24,473 | 158 | 0.65% |
102 | Monroe | 34,897 | 215 | 0.62% |
103 | Roxboro | 8,131 | 45 | 0.55% |
104 | Dunn | 8,549 | 44 | 0.51% |
105 | Lenoir | 18,301 | 89 | 0.49% |
106 | Butner | 8,374 | 32 | 0.38% |
107 | Waynesville | 10,307 | 37 | 0.36% |
108 | Carolina Beach | 6,583 | 23 | 0.35% |
109 | Lincolnton | 11,225 | 38 | 0.34% |
110 | Hendersonville | 15,102 | 50 | 0.33% |
111 | Reidsville | 14,526 | 48 | 0.33% |
112 | Bessemer City | 5,472 | 7 | 0.13% |
113 | King | 7,210 | 9 | 0.12% |
114 | Tarboro | 10,696 | 10 | 0.09% |
115 | Brevard | 7,777 | 7 | 0.09% |
116 | Black Mountain | 8,430 | 7 | 0.08% |
117 | Cherryville | 6,113 | 4 | 0.07% |
118 | Rockingham | 9,174 | 6 | 0.07% |
119 | Unionville | 6,694 | 1 | 0.01% |
120 | Lewisville | 13,509 | 1 | 0.01% |
121 | Sawmills | 5,026 | 0 | 0.0% |
122 | Hamlet | 6,043 | 0 | 0.0% |
123 | Wendell | 10,575 | 0 | 0.0% |
124 | Siler City | 7,847 | 0 | 0.0% |
125 | Selma | 6,449 | 0 | 0.0% |