#1Chapel Hill
Orange County · 63,565 peopleWalkability grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall B+ · #46 of 286 in NC
Chapel Hill, #1 on this list · Photo: (User:Wgreaves) · CC BY 3.0North Carolina rankings · Walkability
Most walkable towns in North Carolina
Chapel Hill ranks first on walkability among North Carolina’s 290 towns of 2,500+; 49 of the 290 grade A− or better on walkability nationally.
The Walkability grade: the EPA National Walkability Index where residents live, and the share of commuters who walk, bike or take transit (Census ACS). How grades work
#1A+
Emma
unincorporated, Buncombe County · 2,657 peopleWalkability grade, better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #16 of 286 in NC
#3Carrboro
Orange County · 20,962 peopleWalkability grade, better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #57 of 286 in NC
All 290 towns
Walkability grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank (T = tied; 109 towns here); the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
290 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeOverall
2Emmaunincorporated, Buncombe County · 2,657 peopleA+better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #16 of 286
5PinevilleMecklenburg County · 11,851 peopleA+better than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #199 of 286
9Carolina BeachNew Hanover County · 6,870 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #151 of 286
10CharlotteMecklenburg County · 964,784 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #165 of 286
11WilmingtonNew Hanover County · 126,809 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #192 of 286
14Cullowhee College campusunincorporated, Jackson County · 7,973 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall C+
15Lake Junaluskaunincorporated, Haywood County · 3,175 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #84 of 286
23North WilkesboroWilkes County · 4,369 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #187 of 286
24CorneliusMecklenburg County · 35,094 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #32 of 286
26Buies Creek College campusunincorporated, Harnett County · 3,746 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall C
27Emerald IsleCarteret County · 3,970 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #102 of 286
T30Elizabeth CityPasquotank County · 19,622 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #258 of 286
T32GreensboroGuilford County · 308,667 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #215 of 286
36Boiling SpringsCleveland County · 4,799 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #86 of 286
T37ReidsvilleRockingham County · 14,692 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #219 of 286
T37WaynesvilleHaywood County · 11,006 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #183 of 286
42Spring LakeCumberland County · 11,252 peopleA−better than 77% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #224 of 286
43Swannanoaunincorporated, Buncombe County · 6,901 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #36 of 286
T45HendersonvilleHenderson County · 15,867 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #182 of 286
T47FayettevilleCumberland County · 209,120 peopleA−better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #245 of 286
49Lowesvilleunincorporated, Lincoln County · 3,874 peopleA−better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #4 of 286
50Black MountainBuncombe County · 8,491 peopleB+better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #51 of 286
54Forest CityRutherford County · 7,410 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #259 of 286
55HuntersvilleMecklenburg County · 68,535 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #45 of 286
64East Flat Rockunincorporated, Henderson County · 6,323 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #55 of 286
69Winston-SalemForsyth County · 257,271 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #243 of 286
T70KannapolisCabarrus County · 61,708 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #125 of 286
T70Kill Devil HillsDare County · 7,731 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #93 of 286
T89Silver Lakeunincorporated, New Hanover County · 6,563 peopleBbetter than 59% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #129 of 286
T94Morehead CityCarteret County · 10,434 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #194 of 286
T101Southern PinesMoore County · 17,357 peopleB−better than 55% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #128 of 286
T109RockinghamRichmond County · 8,815 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #265 of 286
111LaurinburgScotland County · 14,582 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #282 of 286
113Mint HillMecklenburg County · 29,476 peopleB−better than 51% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #58 of 286
T115Roanoke RapidsHalifax County · 14,386 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #276 of 286
117James Cityunincorporated, Craven County · 4,789 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #139 of 286
T120Spout Springsunincorporated, Harnett County · 11,242 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #149 of 286
122Northchaseunincorporated, New Hanover County · 5,896 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #208 of 286
128MooresvilleIredell County · 55,842 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #101 of 286
T129Kings MountainCleveland County · 12,117 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #253 of 286
132Sunset BeachBrunswick County · 4,642 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #56 of 286
135Kings Grantunincorporated, New Hanover County · 9,003 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #133 of 286
138KernersvilleForsyth County · 29,128 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #207 of 286
141ThomasvilleDavidson County · 27,733 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #131 of 286
T142Myrtle Groveunincorporated, New Hanover County · 12,637 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #44 of 286
150Wrightsborounincorporated, New Hanover County · 6,287 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #68 of 286
157ElizabethtownBladen County · 3,306 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #273 of 286
158Lake Norman of Iredellunincorporated, Iredell County · 12,494 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #33 of 286
T160Hampsteadunincorporated, Pender County · 9,292 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #113 of 286
162FranklintonFranklin County · 2,890 peopleC+better than 39% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #141 of 286
T165Granite FallsCaldwell County · 4,964 peopleC+better than 38% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #174 of 286
168Briar Chapelunincorporated, Chatham County · 6,049 peopleC+better than 37% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #35 of 286
T175Murraysvilleunincorporated, New Hanover County · 16,339 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #77 of 286
182Fairfield Harbourunincorporated, Craven County · 2,948 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #190 of 286
192Bethlehemunincorporated, Alexander County · 4,101 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #65 of 286
194Hope MillsCumberland County · 18,324 peopleCbetter than 29% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #227 of 286
204Seven Lakesunincorporated, Moore County · 4,535 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #7 of 286
T207RutherfordtonRutherford County · 3,723 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #263 of 286
T211Bayshoreunincorporated, New Hanover County · 2,949 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #62 of 286
T211Forest Oaksunincorporated, Guilford County · 4,293 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #41 of 286
213Boiling Spring LakesBrunswick County · 6,875 peopleCbetter than 25% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #167 of 286
218Enochvilleunincorporated, Rowan County · 3,321 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #143 of 286
T219Ogdenunincorporated, New Hanover County · 8,249 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #64 of 286
T222Avery Creekunincorporated, Buncombe County · 2,887 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #3 of 286
T222Bessemer CityGaston County · 5,834 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #193 of 286
229Cajah's MountainCaldwell County · 2,702 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #155 of 286
230Wilson's MillsJohnston County · 2,987 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #108 of 286
231Anderson Creekunincorporated, Harnett County · 13,927 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #220 of 286
T232St. Stephensunincorporated, Catawba County · 9,457 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #106 of 286
T232Westportunincorporated, Lincoln County · 5,915 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #52 of 286
235River Roadunincorporated, Beaufort County · 3,366 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #256 of 286
236Granite QuarryRowan County · 3,129 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #134 of 286
242Half Moonunincorporated, Onslow County · 7,378 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #73 of 286
T243Welcomeunincorporated, Davidson County · 3,521 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #88 of 286
T243Whispering PinesMoore County · 5,505 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #15 of 286
T248Royal Pinesunincorporated, Buncombe County · 4,325 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #29 of 286
T248Valley Hillunincorporated, Henderson County · 2,675 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #61 of 286
T250Mountain Homeunincorporated, Henderson County · 3,437 peopleC−better than 17% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #76 of 286
T250Porters Neckunincorporated, New Hanover County · 7,654 peopleC−better than 17% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #118 of 286
T250Skippers Cornerunincorporated, New Hanover County · 3,792 peopleC−better than 17% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #173 of 286
T256Carolina ShoresBrunswick County · 5,540 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #146 of 286
T256Mountain Viewunincorporated, Catawba County · 3,982 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #83 of 286
258Mills RiverHenderson County · 7,504 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #40 of 286
259Piney Greenunincorporated, Onslow County · 14,078 peopleC−better than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #181 of 286
T260Etowahunincorporated, Henderson County · 7,968 peopleDbetter than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #110 of 286
T260Moyockunincorporated, Currituck County · 5,684 peopleDbetter than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #75 of 286
263Glen Ravenunincorporated, Alamance County · 3,506 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #168 of 286
T264Lake Norman of Catawbaunincorporated, Catawba County · 9,906 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #90 of 286
T264Sneads Ferryunincorporated, Onslow County · 2,728 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #177 of 286
266Pleasant GardenGuilford County · 5,165 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #99 of 286
267Edneyvilleunincorporated, Henderson County · 2,716 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #120 of 286
T269Archer LodgeJohnston County · 5,649 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #28 of 286
T269East Rockinghamunincorporated, Richmond County · 2,779 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #278 of 286
271Lake Royaleunincorporated, Franklin County · 3,168 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #98 of 286
274Tyrounincorporated, Davidson County · 3,833 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #70 of 286
T275Rockfishunincorporated, Hoke County · 3,574 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #202 of 286
278Danaunincorporated, Henderson County · 4,147 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #138 of 286
T279Neuse Forestunincorporated, Craven County · 2,671 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #74 of 286
T281Brices Creekunincorporated, Craven County · 3,415 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #136 of 286
284Brogdenunincorporated, Wayne County · 2,733 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #268 of 286
T285Elroyunincorporated, Wayne County · 3,251 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #229 of 286
287Mar-Macunincorporated, Wayne County · 2,877 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #201 of 286
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the most walkable town in North Carolina?
Chapel Hill (Orange County) ranks first on walkability among 290 towns, with an A+; Emma and Carrboro follow.
How are these towns ranked?
The Walkability grade: the EPA National Walkability Index where residents live, and the share of commuters who walk, bike or take transit (Census ACS). 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 walkability 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
All North Carolina rankings →More North Carolina lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
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 WeddingtonTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk290 towns · #1 NewtonBest towns for the outdoors290 towns · #1 Nags HeadMost historic towns290 towns · #1 EdentonTowns 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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