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Most Dense in North Carolina

Top 100 cities ranked by most dense

Most Dense — North Carolina

1 Northchase 3,418/mi²
2 Morrisville 3,323/mi²
3 Carrboro 3,267/mi²
4 Raleigh 3,119/mi²
5 Boone 3,057/mi²
6 Briar Chapel 2,911/mi²
7 Cary 2,898/mi²
8 Charlotte 2,844/mi²
9 Chapel Hill 2,760/mi²
10 Carolina Beach 2,720/mi²
11 Elon 2,652/mi²
12 Wake Forest 2,575/mi²
13 Silver Lake 2,527/mi²
14 Cornelius 2,522/mi²
15 Apex 2,518/mi²
16 Durham 2,427/mi²
17 Greenville 2,309/mi²
18 Wilmington 2,308/mi²
19 Davidson 2,285/mi²
20 Holly Springs 2,234/mi²
21 Greensboro 2,223/mi²
22 Winterville 2,155/mi²
23 Gibsonville 2,111/mi²
24 Asheville 2,075/mi²
25 Knightdale 2,028/mi²
26 Murraysville 2,010/mi²
27 High Point 2,006/mi²
28 Kings Grant 2,000/mi²
29 Hope Mills 1,972/mi²
30 Dallas 1,958/mi²
31 Stallings 1,952/mi²
32 Fuquay-Varina 1,945/mi²
33 Hendersonville 1,933/mi²
34 Cullowhee 1,916/mi²
35 Burlington 1,903/mi²
36 Mooresville 1,880/mi²
37 Winston-Salem 1,877/mi²
38 Myrtle Grove 1,849/mi²
39 Ogden 1,846/mi²
40 Indian Trail 1,801/mi²
41 Clemmons 1,801/mi²
42 Waxhaw 1,769/mi²
43 Matthews 1,751/mi²
44 Henderson 1,731/mi²
45 Hillsborough 1,676/mi²
46 Clayton 1,670/mi²
47 Garner 1,649/mi²
48 Concord 1,646/mi²
49 Pineville 1,623/mi²
50 Kannapolis 1,616/mi²
51 Thomasville 1,616/mi²
52 Mount Holly 1,591/mi²
53 Elizabeth City 1,589/mi²
54 Graham 1,587/mi²
55 Salisbury 1,547/mi²
56 Mebane 1,545/mi²
57 East Flat Rock 1,540/mi²
58 Harrisburg 1,528/mi²
59 Gastonia 1,519/mi²
60 Roanoke Rapids 1,516/mi²
61 Wilson 1,512/mi²
62 Jacksonville 1,506/mi²
63 Huntersville 1,492/mi²
64 Rolesville 1,455/mi²
65 Brevard 1,452/mi²
66 Kernersville 1,434/mi²
67 Fayetteville 1,414/mi²
68 Asheboro 1,401/mi²
69 Oxford 1,390/mi²
70 Westport 1,384/mi²
71 Kill Devil Hills 1,377/mi²
72 Hickory 1,355/mi²
73 Whispering Pines 1,341/mi²
74 Archdale 1,329/mi²
75 Ayden 1,322/mi²
76 Porters Neck 1,313/mi²
77 Morehead City 1,309/mi²
78 Lincolnton 1,282/mi²
79 Fletcher 1,267/mi²
80 Black Mountain 1,254/mi²
81 Angier 1,249/mi²
82 Belmont 1,239/mi²
83 Lake Norman of Iredell 1,238/mi²
84 Wendell 1,230/mi²
85 Selma 1,222/mi²
86 Nashville 1,207/mi²
87 Dunn 1,202/mi²
88 Laurinburg 1,202/mi²
89 Zebulon 1,201/mi²
90 Rocky Mount 1,197/mi²
91 Washington 1,191/mi²
92 Rockingham 1,190/mi²
93 King 1,189/mi²
94 Siler City 1,171/mi²
95 Goldsboro 1,170/mi²
96 Waynesville 1,160/mi²
97 Cramerton 1,156/mi²
98 Williamston 1,143/mi²
99 Hamlet 1,139/mi²
100 Marion 1,118/mi²

The most densely populated cities in North Carolina pack the most residents per square mile, creating vibrant urban environments with walkable neighborhoods and extensive public transit. Northchase leads with 3,418 people per square mile.

High population density is often associated with better access to public transportation, more walkable streets, and a wider variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options within close proximity. These cities tend to have lower car ownership rates and shorter commute distances.

Dense cities face unique challenges including higher housing costs, limited parking, and potential overcrowding in public spaces. However, they also tend to have lower per-capita carbon footprints due to shared infrastructure and reduced driving.

Did You Know?

  • 1. Northchase has 3,418 people per square mile — that's roughly 5 people per acre.
  • 2. Dense cities tend to have the most walkable neighborhoods and lowest car ownership rates in the country.
  • 3. Urban density can reduce per-capita carbon emissions by up to 50% compared to suburban sprawl.

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