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Edenton2015Edenton, #1 on this list · Photo: Tnewman39 · CC BY-SA 4.0
North Carolina rankings · History

Most historic towns in North Carolina

Edenton ranks first on history among North Carolina’s 290 towns of 2,500+; 67 of the 290 grade A− or better on history nationally.

The History grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the town’s founding era, homes built before 1940 (Census ACS) and its National Register places. How grades work

#1

Edenton

Chowan County · 4,546 people
A+

History grade, better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #252 of 286 in NC

#2

Lexington

Davidson County · 20,238 people
A

History grade, better than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #221 of 286 in NC

#3

Salisbury

Rowan County · 36,879 people
A

History grade, better than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #248 of 286 in NC

All 290 towns

History grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank (T = tied; 47 towns here); the overall grade and state rank are beside each.

290 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.

#TownGradeOverall
1EdentonChowan County · 4,546 peopleA+better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #252 of 286
2LexingtonDavidson County · 20,238 peopleAbetter than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #221 of 286
3SalisburyRowan County · 36,879 peopleAbetter than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #248 of 286
4LouisburgFranklin County · 3,480 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #235 of 286
5Mount AirySurry County · 10,682 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #214 of 286
6KinstonLenoir County · 19,705 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #281 of 286
7TarboroEdgecombe County · 10,979 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #269 of 286
8Elizabeth CityPasquotank County · 19,622 peopleAbetter than 91% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #258 of 286
9AshevilleBuncombe County · 93,523 peopleAbetter than 91% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #164 of 286
10New BernCraven County · 34,724 peopleAbetter than 91% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #230 of 286
11OxfordGranville County · 8,985 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #260 of 286
12HillsboroughOrange County · 9,778 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #159 of 286
13Winston-SalemForsyth County · 257,271 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #243 of 286
14WindsorBertie County · 3,469 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #238 of 286
15BeaufortCarteret County · 4,912 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #175 of 286
16AlbemarleStanly County · 17,769 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #231 of 286
17CarthageMoore County · 3,070 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #8 of 286
18PlymouthWashington County · 3,170 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #286 of 286
19FranklintonFranklin County · 2,890 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #141 of 286
20WashingtonBeaufort County · 9,910 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #266 of 286
21EdenRockingham County · 15,500 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #240 of 286
22FarmvillePitt County · 4,577 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #272 of 286
23SouthportBrunswick County · 4,434 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #85 of 286
24High PointGuilford County · 120,571 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #206 of 286
25WilliamstonMartin County · 5,086 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #279 of 286
26SpencerRowan County · 3,450 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #162 of 286
27MorgantonBurke County · 17,849 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #216 of 286
28CherryvilleGaston County · 6,523 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #135 of 286
29LincolntonLincoln County · 12,465 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #157 of 286
30ShelbyCleveland County · 23,309 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #254 of 286
31Rocky MountNash County · 55,120 peopleAbetter than 85% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #267 of 286
32StatesvilleIredell County · 32,181 peopleA−better than 85% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #189 of 286
33WaynesvilleHaywood County · 11,006 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #183 of 286
34Bessemer CityGaston County · 5,834 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #193 of 286
35RockinghamRichmond County · 8,815 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #265 of 286
36BelmontGaston County · 16,415 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #140 of 286
37MarionMcDowell County · 7,440 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #205 of 286
38RandlemanRandolph County · 4,767 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #223 of 286
39HendersonvilleHenderson County · 15,867 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #182 of 286
40RutherfordtonRutherford County · 3,723 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #263 of 286
41JamestownGuilford County · 3,803 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #37 of 286
42Kings MountainCleveland County · 12,117 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #253 of 286
43WilsonWilson County · 49,572 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #264 of 286
44ReidsvilleRockingham County · 14,692 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #219 of 286
45RoxboroPerson County · 8,380 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #225 of 286
46WadesboroAnson County · 5,035 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #257 of 286
47MocksvilleDavie County · 6,282 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #116 of 286
48WilmingtonNew Hanover County · 126,809 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #192 of 286
49ClintonSampson County · 8,466 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #271 of 286
50RaleighWake County · 506,306 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #80 of 286
51NashvilleNash County · 5,911 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #236 of 286
52SmithfieldJohnston County · 13,114 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #186 of 286
53NewtonCatawba County · 13,822 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #161 of 286
54HendersonVance County · 15,013 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #280 of 286
55LenoirCaldwell County · 18,372 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #203 of 286
56WalkertownForsyth County · 6,120 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #176 of 286
57CharlotteMecklenburg County · 964,784 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #165 of 286
58Mount OliveWayne County · 4,521 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #255 of 286
59MonroeUnion County · 42,644 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #188 of 286
60CantonHaywood County · 4,418 peopleA−better than 77% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #53 of 286
61TroyMontgomery County · 3,020 peopleA−better than 77% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #150 of 286
62WarsawDuplin County · 2,853 peopleA−better than 77% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #244 of 286
63GreensboroGuilford County · 308,667 peopleA−better than 77% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #215 of 286
64FranklinMacon County · 4,403 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #142 of 286
65ConcordCabarrus County · 114,598 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #59 of 286
66DallasGaston County · 6,392 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #144 of 286
67KernersvilleForsyth County · 29,128 peopleA−better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #207 of 286
68WilkesboroWilkes County · 3,618 peopleB+better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #209 of 286
69AydenPitt County · 5,263 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #251 of 286
70ElkinSurry County · 4,130 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #226 of 286
71GrahamAlamance County · 20,131 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #222 of 286
72Hope MillsCumberland County · 18,324 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #227 of 286
73FayettevilleCumberland County · 209,120 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #245 of 286
74North WilkesboroWilkes County · 4,369 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #187 of 286
75LumbertonRobeson County · 18,955 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #285 of 286
76BurgawPender County · 3,903 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #196 of 286
77DavidsonMecklenburg County · 16,662 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #10 of 286
78Chapel HillOrange County · 63,565 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #46 of 286
79AhoskieHertford County · 4,608 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #284 of 286
80China GroveRowan County · 4,650 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #171 of 286
81AsheboroRandolph County · 27,990 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #233 of 286
82NorwoodStanly County · 2,568 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #213 of 286
83Flat RockHenderson County · 3,643 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #69 of 286
84MayodanRockingham County · 2,503 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #212 of 286
85Mount HollyGaston County · 19,033 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #148 of 286
86WallaceDuplin County · 3,570 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #275 of 286
87PittsboroChatham County · 5,054 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #127 of 286
88GreenvillePitt County · 96,443 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #242 of 286
89SelmaJohnston County · 7,406 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #180 of 286
90WoodfinBuncombe County · 8,229 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #111 of 286
91Roanoke RapidsHalifax County · 14,386 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #276 of 286
92GoldsboroWayne County · 35,012 peopleB+better than 65% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #277 of 286
93CaryWake County · 183,582 peopleBbetter than 65% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #11 of 286
94Wake ForestWake County · 58,147 peopleBbetter than 64% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #24 of 286
95Black MountainBuncombe County · 8,491 peopleBbetter than 64% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #51 of 286
96ElizabethtownBladen County · 3,306 peopleBbetter than 63% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #273 of 286
97Southern PinesMoore County · 17,357 peopleBbetter than 63% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #128 of 286
98JacksonvilleOnslow County · 72,732 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #170 of 286
99BensonJohnston County · 4,660 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #166 of 286
100Tyrounincorporated, Davidson County · 3,833 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #70 of 286
101WhitevilleColumbus County · 4,765 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #270 of 286
102WentworthRockingham County · 2,774 peopleBbetter than 61% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #78 of 286
103La GrangeLenoir County · 2,947 peopleBbetter than 61% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #261 of 286
104GastoniaGaston County · 87,067 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #237 of 286
105Red SpringsRobeson County · 3,216 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #274 of 286
106SylvaJackson County · 2,691 peopleBbetter than 59% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #241 of 286
107DunnHarnett County · 8,814 peopleBbetter than 59% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #210 of 286
108SwansboroOnslow County · 4,174 peopleBbetter than 59% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #117 of 286
109Siler CityChatham County · 8,155 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #163 of 286
110BrevardTransylvania County · 8,098 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #137 of 286
111Forest CityRutherford County · 7,410 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #259 of 286
112BurlingtonAlamance County · 61,496 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #249 of 286
113Oak RidgeGuilford County · 7,896 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #38 of 286
114HickoryCatawba County · 45,975 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #200 of 286
115Morehead CityCarteret County · 10,434 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #194 of 286
116AberdeenMoore County · 10,066 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #92 of 286
117SummerfieldGuilford County · 11,327 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #54 of 286
118ValdeseBurke County · 4,712 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #115 of 286
119WeavervilleBuncombe County · 4,790 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #114 of 286
120HamletRichmond County · 5,870 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #247 of 286
121HarrisburgCabarrus County · 20,742 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #12 of 286
122DurhamDurham County · 305,561 peopleBbetter than 55% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #179 of 286
123MidwayDavidson County · 5,104 peopleBbetter than 55% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #20 of 286
124ThomasvilleDavidson County · 27,733 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #131 of 286
125ErwinHarnett County · 4,956 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #232 of 286
126MebaneAlamance County · 21,952 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #195 of 286
127SanfordLee County · 34,138 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #246 of 286
128RaefordHoke County · 4,703 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #178 of 286
129StanleyGaston County · 4,237 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #130 of 286
130Edneyvilleunincorporated, Henderson County · 2,716 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #120 of 286
131LaurinburgScotland County · 14,582 peopleB−better than 51% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #282 of 286
132LibertyRandolph County · 2,739 peopleB−better than 51% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #217 of 286
133MooresvilleIredell County · 55,842 peopleB−better than 51% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #101 of 286
134Long ViewCatawba County · 5,387 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #81 of 286
135RolesvilleWake County · 12,839 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #1 of 286
136HudsonCaldwell County · 3,786 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #124 of 286
137Wrightsborounincorporated, New Hanover County · 6,287 peopleB−better than 47% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #68 of 286
138ArchdaleRandolph County · 12,254 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #91 of 286
139Four OaksJohnston County · 2,978 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #100 of 286
140ClaytonJohnston County · 32,633 peopleB−better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #72 of 286
141Rural HallForsyth County · 3,607 peopleB−better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #153 of 286
142FletcherHenderson County · 8,373 peopleC+better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #48 of 286
143Nags HeadDare County · 3,117 peopleC+better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #89 of 286
144Tabor CityColumbus County · 3,886 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #262 of 286
145WendellWake County · 19,687 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #19 of 286
146GibsonvilleGuilford County · 9,876 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #63 of 286
147TobaccovilleForsyth County · 2,770 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #71 of 286
148PinevilleMecklenburg County · 11,851 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #199 of 286
149Holly SpringsWake County · 50,288 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #17 of 286
150ClemmonsForsyth County · 22,808 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #123 of 286
151PinehurstMoore County · 18,670 peopleC+better than 41% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #23 of 286
152Red OakNash County · 3,523 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #67 of 286
153MaidenCatawba County · 3,922 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #42 of 286
154KingStokes County · 7,977 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #109 of 286
155GarnerWake County · 41,562 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #103 of 286
156CramertonGaston County · 5,713 peopleC+better than 39% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #96 of 286
157WaxhawUnion County · 23,140 peopleC+better than 38% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #9 of 286
158ApexWake County · 80,419 peopleC+better than 38% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #5 of 286
159Danaunincorporated, Henderson County · 4,147 peopleC+better than 37% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #138 of 286
160ZebulonWake County · 11,933 peopleC+better than 37% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #122 of 286
161LillingtonHarnett County · 5,040 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #197 of 286
162CarrboroOrange County · 20,962 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #57 of 286
163PembrokeRobeson County · 2,888 peopleCbetter than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #283 of 286
164East Rockinghamunincorporated, Richmond County · 2,779 peopleCbetter than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #278 of 286
165CreedmoorGranville County · 5,046 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #185 of 286
166AngierHarnett County · 9,410 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #172 of 286
167Welcomeunincorporated, Davidson County · 3,521 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #88 of 286
168MarshvilleUnion County · 2,739 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #156 of 286
169Boone College campusWatauga County · 19,929 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall B−
170Swannanoaunincorporated, Buncombe County · 6,901 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #36 of 286
171ConoverCatawba County · 8,938 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #126 of 286
172Enochvilleunincorporated, Rowan County · 3,321 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #143 of 286
173YadkinvilleYadkin County · 3,055 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #147 of 286
174SwepsonvilleAlamance County · 2,632 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #60 of 286
175KannapolisCabarrus County · 61,708 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #125 of 286
176Etowahunincorporated, Henderson County · 7,968 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #110 of 286
177Lake Norman of Catawbaunincorporated, Catawba County · 9,906 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #90 of 286
178HuntersvilleMecklenburg County · 68,535 peopleCbetter than 29% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #45 of 286
179MatthewsMecklenburg County · 32,769 peopleCbetter than 29% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #107 of 286
180LowellGaston County · 3,939 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #160 of 286
181James Cityunincorporated, Craven County · 4,789 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #139 of 286
182WintervillePitt County · 10,973 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #132 of 286
183TrinityRandolph County · 7,274 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #112 of 286
184RanloGaston County · 4,848 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #79 of 286
185LewisvilleForsyth County · 14,421 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #95 of 286
186Lake Junaluskaunincorporated, Haywood County · 3,175 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #84 of 286
187Kitty HawkDare County · 3,670 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #97 of 286
188MorrisvilleWake County · 32,466 peopleC−better than 25% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #34 of 286
189MidlandCabarrus County · 5,151 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #26 of 286
190Granite FallsCaldwell County · 4,964 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #174 of 286
191Moyockunincorporated, Currituck County · 5,684 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #75 of 286
192Fuquay-VarinaWake County · 48,536 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #6 of 286
193NewportCarteret County · 4,500 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #152 of 286
194Spring LakeCumberland County · 11,252 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #224 of 286
195Cullowhee College campusunincorporated, Jackson County · 7,973 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall C+
196Granite QuarryRowan County · 3,129 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #134 of 286
197Boiling SpringsCleveland County · 4,799 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #86 of 286
198SpindaleRutherford County · 4,180 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #218 of 286
199Mountain Homeunincorporated, Henderson County · 3,437 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #76 of 286
200Emmaunincorporated, Buncombe County · 2,657 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #16 of 286
201WallburgDavidson County · 3,255 peopleC−better than 21% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #27 of 286
202Carolina BeachNew Hanover County · 6,870 peopleC−better than 21% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #151 of 286
203Pleasant GardenGuilford County · 5,165 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #99 of 286
204Glen Ravenunincorporated, Alamance County · 3,506 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #168 of 286
205Buies Creek College campusunincorporated, Harnett County · 3,746 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall C
206KnightdaleWake County · 23,144 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #66 of 286
207GriftonPitt County · 2,539 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #250 of 286
208StokesdaleGuilford County · 6,133 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #43 of 286
209Mineral SpringsUnion County · 3,514 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #13 of 286
210EastoverCumberland County · 3,743 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #198 of 286
211GamewellCaldwell County · 3,713 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #204 of 286
212ElonAlamance County · 11,366 peopleC−better than 17% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #49 of 286
213Sneads Ferryunincorporated, Onslow County · 2,728 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #177 of 286
214Archer LodgeJohnston County · 5,649 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #28 of 286
215WingateUnion County · 4,628 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #2 of 286
216Bayshoreunincorporated, New Hanover County · 2,949 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #62 of 286
217UnionvilleUnion County · 7,322 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #22 of 286
T218CorneliusMecklenburg County · 35,094 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #32 of 286
T218Mint HillMecklenburg County · 29,476 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #58 of 286
220Forest Oaksunincorporated, Guilford County · 4,293 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #41 of 286
221Hampsteadunincorporated, Pender County · 9,292 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #113 of 286
222Mills RiverHenderson County · 7,504 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #40 of 286
T223HavelockCraven County · 17,430 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #191 of 286
T223LelandBrunswick County · 35,731 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #104 of 286
225Kill Devil HillsDare County · 7,731 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #93 of 286
T226CalabashBrunswick County · 3,069 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #184 of 286
T226Wilson's MillsJohnston County · 2,987 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #108 of 286
228ShallotteBrunswick County · 5,335 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #234 of 286
229LandisRowan County · 3,885 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #121 of 286
230Indian TrailUnion County · 44,303 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #31 of 286
231Bermuda RunDavie County · 3,323 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #82 of 286
T232Elroyunincorporated, Wayne County · 3,251 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #229 of 286
T232Holly RidgeOnslow County · 5,908 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #39 of 286
T232LocustStanly County · 6,120 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #105 of 286
T232Lowesvilleunincorporated, Lincoln County · 3,874 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #4 of 286
T232Spout Springsunincorporated, Harnett County · 11,242 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #149 of 286
237Bethlehemunincorporated, Alexander County · 4,101 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #65 of 286
238Fairfield Harbourunincorporated, Craven County · 2,948 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #190 of 286
239East Flat Rockunincorporated, Henderson County · 6,323 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #55 of 286
240Mountain Viewunincorporated, Catawba County · 3,982 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #83 of 286
241Valley Hillunincorporated, Henderson County · 2,675 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #61 of 286
242River Roadunincorporated, Beaufort County · 3,366 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #256 of 286
T243Barbecue5,910 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·No overall grade
T243Half Moonunincorporated, Onslow County · 7,378 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #73 of 286
T245Brices Creekunincorporated, Craven County · 3,415 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #136 of 286
T245Brogdenunincorporated, Wayne County · 2,733 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #268 of 286
247Trent WoodsCraven County · 4,070 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #87 of 286
248St. Stephensunincorporated, Catawba County · 9,457 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #106 of 286
249Royal Pinesunincorporated, Buncombe County · 4,325 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #29 of 286
250Ogdenunincorporated, New Hanover County · 8,249 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #64 of 286
251Rockfishunincorporated, Hoke County · 3,574 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #202 of 286
252TroutmanIredell County · 4,336 peopleDbetter than 5% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #119 of 286
T253Cajah's MountainCaldwell County · 2,702 peopleD−better than 5% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #155 of 286
T253Mar-Macunincorporated, Wayne County · 2,877 peopleD−better than 5% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #201 of 286
T253MarvinUnion County · 7,040 peopleD−better than 5% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #25 of 286
256Murraysvilleunincorporated, New Hanover County · 16,339 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #77 of 286
257Myrtle Groveunincorporated, New Hanover County · 12,637 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #44 of 286
258Sunset BeachBrunswick County · 4,642 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #56 of 286
259Anderson Creekunincorporated, Harnett County · 13,927 peopleD−better than 3% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #220 of 286
260FairviewUnion County · 3,805 peopleD−better than 3% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #18 of 286
T261Avery Creekunincorporated, Buncombe County · 2,887 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #3 of 286
T261Briar Chapelunincorporated, Chatham County · 6,049 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #35 of 286
T261Kings Grantunincorporated, New Hanover County · 9,003 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #133 of 286
T261Lake Norman of Iredellunincorporated, Iredell County · 12,494 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #33 of 286
T261Lake ParkUnion County · 3,609 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #50 of 286
T261Lake Royaleunincorporated, Franklin County · 3,168 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #98 of 286
T261Neuse Forestunincorporated, Craven County · 2,671 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #74 of 286
T261Northchaseunincorporated, New Hanover County · 5,896 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #208 of 286
T261Piney Greenunincorporated, Onslow County · 14,078 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #181 of 286
T261Porters Neckunincorporated, New Hanover County · 7,654 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #118 of 286
T261Seven Lakesunincorporated, Moore County · 4,535 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #7 of 286
T261Silver Lakeunincorporated, New Hanover County · 6,563 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #129 of 286
T261Skippers Cornerunincorporated, New Hanover County · 3,792 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #173 of 286
T261Southern ShoresDare County · 3,110 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #30 of 286
T261St. JamesBrunswick County · 7,318 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #94 of 286
T261WeddingtonUnion County · 14,517 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #21 of 286
T261Westportunincorporated, Lincoln County · 5,915 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #52 of 286
T261Whispering PinesMoore County · 5,505 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #15 of 286
279Surf CityPender County · 5,142 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C · #154 of 286
T280ButnerGranville County · 8,112 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D · #228 of 286
T280SawmillsCaldwell County · 5,105 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C · #158 of 286
T282Oak IslandBrunswick County · 9,337 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C · #145 of 286
T282StallingsUnion County · 17,760 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall A− · #14 of 286
T284BelvilleBrunswick County · 3,199 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C · #169 of 286
T284Boiling Spring LakesBrunswick County · 6,875 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C · #167 of 286
T284Carolina ShoresBrunswick County · 5,540 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C · #146 of 286
T284Emerald IsleCarteret County · 3,970 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall B− · #102 of 286
T284Green LevelAlamance County · 3,409 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D · #239 of 286
T284River BendCraven County · 2,890 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C− · #211 of 286
T284Wesley ChapelUnion County · 9,566 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall B+ · #47 of 286
Quick answers

Questions people ask

What is the most historic town in North Carolina?

Edenton (Chowan County) ranks first on history among 290 towns, with an A+; Lexington and Salisbury follow.

How are these towns ranked?

The History grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the town’s founding era, homes built before 1940 (Census ACS) and its National Register places. Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.

Why isn’t my town on this list?

The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a history grade (290 in North Carolina). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the North Carolina page.

Go deeper

More North Carolina lists

Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.

All North Carolina rankings →
Best places to live286 towns · #1 RolesvilleBest small towns188 towns · #1 WingateMost affordable towns290 towns · #1 EmmaSafest towns163 towns · #1 Whispering PinesTowns with the best schools290 towns · #1 Carrboro and Chapel HillHealthiest towns289 towns · #1 MorrisvilleBest towns for jobs & income290 towns · #1 WeddingtonMost walkable towns290 towns · #1 Chapel HillTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk290 towns · #1 NewtonBest towns for the outdoors290 towns · #1 Nags HeadTowns with the most civic life234 towns · #1 AshevilleTowns with the least snow215 towns · #1 Anderson CreekDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns215 towns · #1 BooneDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters287 towns · #1 SouthportDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers287 towns · #1 LaurinburgDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers287 towns · #1 BooneDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes290 towns · #1 MarvinDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes290 towns · #1 EmmaDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns227 towns · #1 WendellDescribed, no letters
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