The Latino and Hispanic community is one of the fastest growing communities in America this decade.
According to the most recent American Community Survey, there are now some 6.3M more Hispanics living in America than in 2010.
That’s the largest absolute growth and a 14.9% increase. The percentage growth is the third largest percentage change for any race according to the Census’s race and ethnicity definition.
But how has the increase impacted North Carolina? Where cities and towns in North Carolina have seen the greatest increase in it’s Hispanic population?
Turns out there’s been a 22.3% increase in the Hispanic population in North Carolina.
- Siler City (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Selma (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Monroe (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Sanford (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Asheboro (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Lincolnton (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Morganton (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Marion (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Graham (Photos | Homes For Sale)
- Smithfield (Photos | Homes For Sale)
Siler City took the number one over all spot for the largest Hispanic population in North Carolina for 2019.
Read on 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 Hispanic, check out the best places to live in North Carolina or the most diverse places in North Carolina.
How We Determined The Cities In North Carolina With The Largest Hispanic Population For 2019
We still believe in the accuracy of data — especially from the census. So that’s where we went to get the breakdown of race across North Carolina.
That lead us to the Census’s most recently available data, the 2013-2017 American Community Survey data from the US Census.
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 Hispanic or Latino.
We limited our analysis to non-CDPs with a population greater than 5,000 people. That left us with 126 cities.
We then calculated the percent of residents that are Hispanic or Latino. The percentages ranked from 43.5% to 0.0%.
Finally, we ranked each city based on the percent of Hispanic or Latino population with a higher score being more Hispanic or Latino than a lower score. Siler City took the distinction of being the most Hispanic or Latino, while Nashville was the least Hispanic or Latino city.
Read on for more information on how the cities in North Carolina ranked by population of Hispanic or Latino residents or, for a more general take on diversity in America, head over to our ranking of the most diverse cities in America.
/10
Population: 8,116
% Hispanic/Latino: 43.47%
# Of Hispanic/Latino Residents: 3,528
Percent Change Since 2010: -16.62%
More on Siler City: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Siler City is a town in Chatham County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town’s population was 7,887. The population was estimated to be 8,169 in 2013.
/10
Population: 6,375
% Hispanic/Latino: 33.76%
# Of Hispanic/Latino Residents: 2,152
Percent Change Since 2010: 6.22%
More on Selma: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Selma is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2010, the population was 6,073. Selma is part of the Raleigh-Durham-Cary Combined Statistical Area, and the Raleigh-Cary Metropolitan Statistical Area. The area has a population over 1.7 million residents, though the town of Selma is able to maintain its rural character. The Everitt P. Stevens House, located in Selma, was the site of the last Grand Review of the Confederate Army held on April 6, 1865, after its defeat at the Battle of Bentonville.
/10
Population: 34,368
% Hispanic/Latino: 29.69%
# Of Hispanic/Latino Residents: 10,205
Percent Change Since 2010: 16.31%
More on Monroe: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Monroe is a city in and the county seat of Union County, North Carolina, United States. The population increased from 26,228 in 2000 to 32,797 in 2010. It is within the rapidly growing Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC Metropolitan area. Monroe has a council-manager form of government.
/10
Population: 29,051
% Hispanic/Latino: 24.68%
# Of Hispanic/Latino Residents: 7,170
Percent Change Since 2010: 5.04%
More on Sanford: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Sanford is a city in Lee County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 28,518 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Lee County.
/10
Population: 25,863
% Hispanic/Latino: 23.45%
# Of Hispanic/Latino Residents: 6,065
Percent Change Since 2010: -4.83%
More on Asheboro: Real Estate | Data | Photos
/10
Population: 10,574
% Hispanic/Latino: 19.61%
# Of Hispanic/Latino Residents: 2,074
Percent Change Since 2010: 22.29%
More on Lincolnton: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Lincolnton is a small city in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States, within the Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 10,683 at the 2010 census. Lincolnton is northwest of Charlotte, on the South Fork of the Catawba River. The junction of State Highway 27 and U.S. Route 321 is located nearby. The city is the county seat of Lincoln County, and is the only legally incorporated municipality wholly within the rural county.
/10
Population: 16,478
% Hispanic/Latino: 19.15%
# Of Hispanic/Latino Residents: 3,156
Percent Change Since 2010: 26.9%
More on Morganton: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Morganton is a city in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 16,918 at the 2010 census. Morganton is the county seat.
/10
Population: 7,752
% Hispanic/Latino: 19.0%
# Of Hispanic/Latino Residents: 1,473
Percent Change Since 2010: 12.61%
More on Marion: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Marion is a city in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States. It is the county seat of McDowell County. Founded in 1844, the city was named in honor of Brigadier General Francis Marion, the American Revolutionary War Hero whose talent in guerrilla warfare earned him the name -Swamp Fox-. Marion’s Main Street Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The population was 7,838 at the 2010 Census.
/10
Population: 14,540
% Hispanic/Latino: 18.33%
# Of Hispanic/Latino Residents: 2,665
Percent Change Since 2010: -17.62%
More on Graham: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Graham is a city in Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census the population was 14,153. It is the county seat of Alamance County.
/10
Population: 11,824
% Hispanic/Latino: 18.23%
# Of Hispanic/Latino Residents: 2,155
Percent Change Since 2010: 49.55%
More on Smithfield: Real Estate | Data | Photos
There You Have It – Hispanic or Latino Populations Across North Carolina
If you’re looking for a breakdown of Latino populations across North Carolina according to the most recent data, this is an accurate list.
If you’re curious enough, here are the least Hispanic or Latino places in North Carolina:
- Nashville
- Brevard
- Black Mountain
For more North Carolina reading, check out:
- 10 Safest Cities in North Carolina
- These Are The 10 Richest Cities In North Carolina
- These Are The 10 Best Counties To Live In North Carolina
Detailed List Of The Most Hispanic Cities In North Carolina
| Rank | City | % Hispanic |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Siler City | 43.47% |
| 2 | Selma | 33.76% |
| 3 | Monroe | 29.69% |
| 4 | Sanford | 24.68% |
| 5 | Asheboro | 23.45% |
| 6 | Lincolnton | 19.61% |
| 7 | Morganton | 19.15% |
| 8 | Marion | 19.0% |
| 9 | Graham | 18.33% |
| 10 | Smithfield | 18.23% |
| 11 | Burlington | 17.59% |
| 12 | Spring Lake | 17.24% |
| 13 | Lexington | 15.93% |
| 14 | Jacksonville | 15.66% |
| 15 | Knightdale | 15.44% |
| 16 | Butner | 15.24% |
| 17 | Newton | 15.11% |
| 18 | Winston-Salem | 14.87% |
| 19 | Thomasville | 14.32% |
| 20 | Charlotte | 13.97% |
| 21 | Durham | 13.96% |
| 22 | Kannapolis | 13.75% |
| 23 | Hickory | 13.43% |
| 24 | Forest City | 13.3% |
| 25 | Pineville | 13.13% |
| 26 | Roxboro | 13.04% |
| 27 | Wendell | 12.89% |
| 28 | Concord | 12.47% |
| 29 | Hillsborough | 12.34% |
| 30 | Indian Trail | 12.29% |
| 31 | Kill Devil Hills | 12.21% |
| 32 | Washington | 12.02% |
| 33 | Fayetteville | 11.98% |
| 34 | Havelock | 11.66% |
| 35 | Woodfin | 11.34% |
| 36 | Clinton | 11.24% |
| 37 | Eden | 11.17% |
| 38 | Raleigh | 10.95% |
| 39 | Statesville | 10.8% |
| 40 | Garner | 10.77% |
| 41 | Kernersville | 10.46% |
| 42 | High Point | 10.13% |
| 43 | Wilson | 10.09% |
| 44 | Salisbury | 9.98% |
| 45 | Hendersonville | 9.73% |
| 46 | Gastonia | 9.68% |
| 47 | Mount Airy | 9.6% |
| 48 | Clemmons | 9.46% |
| 49 | Lenoir | 9.43% |
| 50 | Fuquay-Varina | 9.36% |
| 51 | Lumberton | 9.29% |
| 52 | Mooresville | 9.28% |
| 53 | Whiteville | 9.04% |
| 54 | Carrboro | 8.89% |
| 55 | Morehead City | 8.27% |
| 56 | Conover | 8.22% |
| 57 | Stallings | 8.14% |
| 58 | Cary | 8.12% |
| 59 | Henderson | 7.92% |
| 60 | Sawmills | 7.85% |
| 61 | Waxhaw | 7.85% |
| 62 | Mint Hill | 7.84% |
| 63 | Dunn | 7.82% |
| 64 | Clayton | 7.42% |
| 65 | Mount Holly | 7.33% |
| 66 | Hope Mills | 7.31% |
| 67 | Mebane | 7.3% |
| 68 | Apex | 7.27% |
| 69 | Greensboro | 7.25% |
| 70 | New Bern | 6.67% |
| 71 | Goldsboro | 6.66% |
| 72 | Elizabeth City | 6.6% |
| 73 | Huntersville | 6.56% |
| 74 | Davidson | 6.56% |
| 75 | Holly Springs | 6.53% |
| 76 | Wilmington | 6.31% |
| 77 | Chapel Hill | 6.17% |
| 78 | Matthews | 6.1% |
| 79 | Asheville | 5.87% |
| 80 | Albemarle | 5.76% |
| 81 | Cherryville | 5.47% |
| 82 | Pinehurst | 5.42% |
| 83 | Hamlet | 5.41% |
| 84 | Roanoke Rapids | 5.19% |
| 85 | Tarboro | 5.14% |
| 86 | Leland | 5.1% |
| 87 | Wadesboro | 4.93% |
| 88 | Shelby | 4.92% |
| 89 | Greenville | 4.86% |
| 90 | Cornelius | 4.82% |
| 91 | Wake Forest | 4.81% |
| 92 | Weddington | 4.69% |
| 93 | Fletcher | 4.47% |
| 94 | Morrisville | 4.46% |
| 95 | Waynesville | 4.38% |
| 96 | Gibsonville | 4.32% |
| 97 | Wesley Chapel | 4.29% |
| 98 | Boone | 4.16% |
| 99 | Elon | 4.14% |
| 100 | Rocky Mount | 3.91% |
