DEMOGRAPHICS
North Carolina at a Glance
Population 8,186,268
Total Area 53,821 square miles
Land Area 48,718 square miles
Water Area 5,103 square miles
Shoreline 3,375 miles
Highest Point Mt. Mitchell at 6,684 feet
Lowest Point Atlantic Coast, sea level
Border States Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia
Agriculture Poultry and eggs, tobacco, hogs, milk, nursery stock, cattle, soybeans
Industries Tobacco products, textile goods, chemical products, electric equipment, machinery, tourism
Largest Cities Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, Cary, High Point, Wilmington, Asheville
State Capital Raleigh
Statehood November 21, 1789
State Bird Cardinal
State Flower Dogwood
State Nickname “Old North State” or “Tar Heel State”
State Tree Pine
Climate
North Carolina enjoys a comparatively mild year-round climate characterized by four distinct seasons. The significant factor in weather variation is altitude. Throughout the year the average temperature varies more than 20 degrees Fahrenheit from the lower coast to the highest elevations. The average annual temperature at Southport on the lower coast is nearly as high as that of interior northern Florida, while the average on the summit of Mount Mitchell is lower than that of Buffalo in upstate New York. In southwestern North Carolina, the annual average is more than 90 inches. Less than 50 miles to the north is the driest point south of Virginia at 37 inches. East of the mountains, the average annual rainfall is 40 to 55 inches.
The greater part of the state is protected by mountain ranges from severe cold in the winter months. To the east, temperatures are modified by the Atlantic Ocean. This influence raises the average winter temperature and decreases the average day-to-night range. The variation in daily temperatures reaches a peak in May and October. Summer temperatures can reach 100 degrees on occasion but usually remain in the 90-degree range. The average daily maximum for most localities is below 90 degrees.