North Carolina’s housing stock is generally newer than the national average, with a median age 10 years younger than the rest of the United States. Data show that just over a third (34.8%) of homes in North Carolina were built before 1980, compared to more than half (50.5%) nationally.
Much of this difference is attributed to increased home construction from the 1980s onward, which coincided with significant population growth as people moved into North Carolina from other regions. In contrast, areas with a high proportion of older homes may indicate limited recent investment or slower population growth.
The distribution of older homes varies across the state. Many rural counties have higher percentages of homes built before 1980, while metropolitan areas such as those around the Triangle and Charlotte, along with some coastal counties experiencing recent growth, have lower proportions of older housing. Nineteen counties report that more than half their housing was built before 1980; these include Anson (61.7%), Washington (60.3%), Richmond (59.4%), Stanly (57.7%), and Martin (56.4%). Conversely, Brunswick (14.7%), Wake (18.7%), Currituck (18.7%), Union (20.1%), and Hoke (20.9%) have among the lowest shares of pre-1980s homes.
Mobile homes represent another key feature of North Carolina’s housing landscape, accounting for 11.3% of all units—about twice the national average of 5.7%. Within North Carolina, most counties exceed even this state average: in six counties—Warren, Greene, Robeson, Gates, Sampson, and Tyrell—mobile homes make up over one-third of all housing units.
Urban counties such as Durham, Mecklenburg, Wake, New Hanover, Guilford, and Forsyth have much lower rates of mobile homes—ranging from 1.3% to 3.3%. However, because these urban areas are populous overall, they contain about as many mobile homes in total as do the top six highest-percentage counties.
Mobile homes provide affordable options for many residents but remain vulnerable to natural disasters including hurricanes and tornadoes—a risk heightened by climate change impacts facing North Carolina communities today. The manufactured housing industry has made advances to improve resilience against such threats; nonetheless, many mobile homes remain at risk due to their locations.
The need for affordable and resilient housing remains pressing throughout North Carolina—not only in fast-growing areas but also in places where populations are stable or declining. Investments in new housing can help meet current needs and attract future residents by ensuring safe accommodations near job centers and reducing long commutes for workers.
“Housing serves as a kind of infrastructure that supports the larger labor market and economy,” according to analysis from state officials.
