At a glance: North Carolina North Carolina is the 9th most populous state in the U.S., with 10,835,491 residents across its 53,819 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 2 for business in 2024 by CNBC. North Carolina is home to one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas, the Research Triangle. The state’s biggest economic industries are healthcare, finance, manufacturing, professional services, and agriculture. Energy North Carolina ranks No. 25 among states for most energy production, with its leading production sources being nuclear, natural gas, and wood/waste, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state ranks No. 35 for most energy consumption per capita, with leading energy sources consumed being motor gasoline, natural gas, and nuclear power. North Carolinians’ residential electricity rate is $0.152/kWh, below the national average. The commercial electricity rate is also lower; North Carolina commercial users pay $0.096/kWh, compared to the national average commercial rate of $0.1259/kWh. Industrial users pay $0.071/kWh, lower than the national average industrial electricity rate of $0.0804/kWh. North Carolinians’ residential natural gas price is $17.33 per thousand cubic feet, according to the most recently available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Environment Since 1970, annual carbon emissions in North Carolina increased 20 percent, while the state’s population soared 90 percent during the same span. The population is projected to increase another 33 percent, to 14 million residents, by 2050. The federal government lists 68 species in North Carolina as threatened or endangered. SUGGESTED STORIES Energy freedom: The role of solar power in North Carolina’s future North Carolina is a longstanding leader in energy innovation, but with growth comes the challenge of meeting our rising energy demands with affordable, abundant and clean sources. Back in 2007, North Carolina became the first state in the Southeast to adopt a Renewable Energy Portfo Read more At a glance: South Carolina South Carolina is the 23rd most populous state in the U.S., with 5,373,555 residents across its 32,020 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 19 for business in 2024 by CNBC. South Carolina is known for its growing automotive and aerospace industries, and it Read more At a glance: Colorado Colorado is the 21st most populous state in the U.S., with 5,877,610 residents across its 104,094 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 16 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Colorado is a key player in the energy sector and is known for its outdoor recreation in Read more
Energy freedom: The role of solar power in North Carolina’s future North Carolina is a longstanding leader in energy innovation, but with growth comes the challenge of meeting our rising energy demands with affordable, abundant and clean sources. Back in 2007, North Carolina became the first state in the Southeast to adopt a Renewable Energy Portfo Read more
At a glance: South Carolina South Carolina is the 23rd most populous state in the U.S., with 5,373,555 residents across its 32,020 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 19 for business in 2024 by CNBC. South Carolina is known for its growing automotive and aerospace industries, and it Read more
At a glance: Colorado Colorado is the 21st most populous state in the U.S., with 5,877,610 residents across its 104,094 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 16 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Colorado is a key player in the energy sector and is known for its outdoor recreation in Read more
