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Oldest Cities in North Carolina

Top 100 cities ranked by oldest cities

Best North Carolina Cities

Composite rankings combining multiple weighted metrics — 4 topics from climate and air quality data.

Best Climate Cities
Warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine and clean air.
Cleanest Air Cities
Lowest pollution levels for healthy outdoor living.
Sunniest Cities
Most days of sunshine per year, with warm and dry climate.
Most Urban Cities
Densely populated city centers with the largest urban footprints.
Population & Density
Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense
Economy
Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Wages Cheapest Cost of Living
Housing
Highest Home Value Most Affordable Highest Rent Lowest Rent Highest Homeownership Newest Housing Lowest Property Tax
Demographics & Education
Most Educated Best Schools Most Graduate Degrees Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Most Veterans
Health & Safety
Safest Cities Highest Crime Healthiest Cities Lowest Smoking Best Doctor Access Best Dental Access
Climate & Air
Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities Sunniest Cities Snowiest Cities Cleanest Air Worst Air Quality
Quality of Life
Shortest Commute Most Work From Home
Civic & Politics
Most Republican Most Democratic Most Disasters
Geography & Infrastructure
Highest Elevation Best Broadband Most EV Stations Most Libraries Most Restaurants
All Countries  ·  United States  ·  North Carolina

Oldest Cities — North Carolina

1 St. James 68.1
2 Oak Island 61.5
3 Black Mountain 60.6
4 Pinehurst 58.8
5 Carolina Beach 52.2
6 Porters Neck 52.0
7 Lake Norman of Catawba 50.5
8 Hendersonville 50.3
9 Washington 49.4
10 Tarboro 48.9
11 Kill Devil Hills 48.6
12 Leland 48.0
13 Lake Norman of Iredell 47.7
14 Brevard 47.7
15 Waynesville 47.4
16 Boiling Spring Lakes 46.8
17 Mount Airy 46.7
18 Mills River 46.6
19 Archdale 46.5
20 Westport 46.4
21 Mint Hill 46.2
22 Etowah 46.2
23 Oak Ridge 46.1
24 King 46.1
25 Ogden 45.7
26 Fletcher 45.5
27 Cornelius 44.8
28 Summerfield 44.4
29 Dunn 44.4
30 Morehead City 44.1
31 Woodfin 43.9
32 Williamston 43.9
33 Clemmons 43.7
34 Hillsborough 43.6
35 Lenoir 43.5
36 Weddington 43.5
37 Sawmills 43.2
38 Oxford 43.1
39 Stokesdale 43.0
40 Kinston 42.9
41 Smithfield 42.7
42 Archer Lodge 42.7
43 Silver Lake 42.6
44 Ayden 42.4
45 Trinity 42.3
46 Rocky Mount 41.8
47 Lewisville 41.8
48 Myrtle Grove 41.7
49 Gibsonville 41.7
50 Kings Mountain 41.6
51 St. Stephens 41.5
52 Wesley Chapel 41.5
53 Hamlet 41.5
54 Reidsville 41.4
55 Butner 41.4
56 Roxboro 41.3
57 Shelby 41.2
58 Davidson 41.2
59 Marvin 40.8
60 Asheville 40.7
61 New Bern 40.4
62 Nashville 40.2
63 Angier 40.0
64 Huntersville 39.9
65 Clinton 39.9
66 Cary 39.8
67 Albemarle 39.8
68 Burlington 39.6
69 Thomasville 39.4
70 Stallings 39.4
71 Wrightsboro 39.4
72 Matthews 39.3
73 Briar Chapel 39.3
74 Newton 39.2
75 Wilson 39.1
76 Mount Holly 39.1
77 Walkertown 39.1
78 Harrisburg 39.0
79 Winterville 39.0
80 Rolesville 38.9
81 Wake Forest 38.8
82 Dallas 38.8
83 Kernersville 38.7
84 Southern Pines 38.6
85 Morganton 38.5
86 Wendell 38.3
87 Marion 38.3
88 Roanoke Rapids 38.0
89 Laurinburg 37.9
90 Unionville 37.9
91 High Point 37.8
92 Kannapolis 37.7
93 Hickory 37.7
94 Belmont 37.7
95 Lincolnton 37.7
96 Cherryville 37.7
97 Garner 37.6
98 Kings Grant 37.6
99 Wilmington 37.5
100 Mocksville 37.5

Cities with the oldest median ages in North Carolina often serve as popular retirement destinations or established communities with stable, long-term residents. St. James has a median age of 68.1 years.

Older median ages can indicate strong healthcare systems, quality of life factors that encourage aging in place, or communities that are particularly attractive to retirees. These cities often feature robust healthcare infrastructure and senior services.

Communities with older populations face unique planning challenges including healthcare capacity, accessibility, transportation for non-drivers, and maintaining a tax base as the workforce ages. Many are adapting their infrastructure and services to meet these evolving needs.

Did You Know?

  • 1. Half of St. James's residents are over 68.1 years old.
  • 2. Popular retirement destinations in Florida, Arizona, and the Carolinas dominate this list.
  • 3. Cities with older populations typically have higher rates of homeownership and longer average residency periods.

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