How Big Is North Carolina? See Its Size in Miles, Acres, and How It Compares to Other States

North Carolina is a state in the American South. The state is widely known for its beautiful coastal areas, mountains, and sports teams. Is it known for its size, though? Surely, it is not among the largest states in the U.S., but it’s also not the smallest. So, how big is North Carolina? Discover how the state measures up in acres, square miles, and kilometers along with how it compares in size to some other states throughout the country.

How Many Acres is North Carolina?

The state of North Carolina is 34,444,262 acres in size. This measure includes both the land and water areas of the state. That makes this state close in size to both Arkansas and New York, but it is larger than the former.

How Many Square Miles is North Carolina?

North Carolina is about 53,819 square miles in area including both the land and water areas of the state. Based on square miles alone, North Carolina is the 28^th largest state in the United States. That means the state is positioned almost directly in the middle of the states based on size alone.  

How Many Square Kilometers is North Carolina?

North Carolina is 139,391 square kilometers including the state’s total area. That counts both the land and water areas belonging to the state.

A Table of Measurements of the State

North Carolina is 53,819 square miles, 34,444,262 acres, or 139,391 square kilometers in total size. These measures make the state the 28^th-largest in the entire country. Overall, it is not a very large state, but it’s also not small.

How Big is North Carolina Compared to Other States?

North Carolina is a medium-sized state. The state’s total area is not among the smallest or largest in the country. So, it is time to take a look at how North Carolina compares to other states. For starters, look at how this state compares in size to other similarly sized states.

Arkansas and North Carolina are very similar in total area, and they are both close to Alabama and Louisiana in total size. Although these states are on the lower side of the average in terms of size, they’re much bigger than the smallest states in the U.S.

Having seen the way the state measures up to states that are nearly its size, it’s time to look at how it fares against other states. See how big North Carolina is compared to five of the largest states in the United States.  

Clearly, North Carolina is not one of the largest states in the U.S. Instead, it is about half the size or less of any of the top 10 largest states in the entire country!

About the Tar Heel State

North Carolina is located on the Atlantic Coast. The state is a place where people live to take part in the thriving businesses in the area. North Carolina has a booming economy based on aerospace and defense, energy, agriculture, and manufacturing.

Overall, the GDP of North Carolina is about $46 billion. The abundant jobs market combined with a lower-than-average cost of living makes the state a very popular choice for people looking to settle down. North Carolina is also attractive because it has affordable homes for people of all ages, including retirees.

The state is also full of natural beauty. North Carolina has a large amount of land dedicated to its various national parks. North Carolina is also revered for its gorgeous beaches dotted by the largest lighthouse in the U.S. along with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the western part of the state.  

People also travel to this state for vacations as well. The state has the 7^th-longest coastline in the U.S. with over 3,000 miles of area for people to enjoy fun in the sun. Residents and visitors to the state can enjoy a variety of beach and ocean activities such as fishing, swimming, and boating.

All in all, over 32 million people took overnight trips to North Carolina in 2021, making tourism a significant part of the state’s total income.  

What is the Population of North Carolina?

According to the 2020 Census, The state of North Carolina is home to 10,439,388 people. Despite being the 28^th-largest state in the U.S., this state has the 9^th-highest population in the country.

Since the state has such a large population, many people are concentrated in cities and their metropolitan areas within North Carolina. Some of the most populous cities in this state include:

1. Charlotte- 876,747
2. Raleigh- 467,425
3. Greensboro- 297,808
4. Durham- 284,400
5. Winston-Salem 249,349

People in the Tar Heel State are spread out rather well for being in the 28^th-largest state in the U.S. That means there is plenty of room for expansion. With so many opportunities in terms of homes, businesses, and recreation, it is no small wonder that the population of North Carolina has continued to grow in recent years and seems poised to continue that trend into the future.

How big is North Carolina? Well, with 53,819 square miles or 34,444,262 acres, it is safe to say the state is big enough for all its residents as well as its visitors. It may not be the largest state, but it is one of the most populous and desirable states to live in. Certainly, the state faces some challenges, especially in the form of weather, but few places can match the state’s combination of being a great place to live, work, and play.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock.com