Wake Likely to Oust Mecklenburg as NC’s Most Populous County

July, 20, 2010 , by Stacey

Despite the fact that the official Census population estimates won’t be released until later this year, early numbers indicate that Wake County now boasts a larger population than Mecklenburg County. State demographers for the NC State Data Center have been tracking their own numbers and have announced that in July, 2010, Wake County’s population stands at 920,307, while Mecklenburg County is holding at 909,493.

This is a continuing trend that supports the overall strength of Wake County as a great place to live, suggests the recent News and Observer article:

“It’s an indication of long-term economic strength,” said Ken Atkins, executive director of Wake County Economic Development, a program of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. More people also mean more health-care options, more shopping opportunities and more places to catch a concert or a ballgame. “Population growth really adds to the quality of life.”

While the growth of the Triangle area is no surprise to majority of local residents, whether or not Wake takes the population lead from Mecklenburg remains debatable, as the Charlotte Chamber’s VP of Research has stated that Mecklenburg County had a total of 963,363 residents as of January. It is also clear that Charlotte seems to be feeling a bit of a sting from the recent numbers, as evidenced by the URL for the recent Charlotte Observer article on said topic: “Wake Brags It’s Bigger Than Us.” (Though, that may be in response to the N&O’s boasting of Wake as the “state’s population king.”)

There are many contributing factors to the population growth seen in the greater Raleigh area. Geographically speaking, Wake is 37% larger than Mecklenburg, allowing more room for the influx of new residents. School enrollments in Wake County have been greater than those in Mecklenburg since 2007. Wake also maintains a lower unemployment rate (8% compared to 10.4%), and the recession didn’t do anything to help Mecklenburg’s decidedly bank-centered economy. The Charlotte Observer’s analysis of recent Census data also showed a reduction in out-of-state transplants and younger residents in their 20s. Nonetheless, the Charlotte metro area (as defined by the Census) is still quite a bit larger overall. While the Charlotte-Gastonia-Salisbury area hosts 2.39 million residents, the Raleigh-Durham-Cary metro area is home to only 1.74 million.

State estimates were based on the annually updated Census numbers, as combined with regional birth and death statistics, school enrollments, and car registrations. Charlotte Chamber President Bob Morgan seems to be taking the news in stride:

“The bottom line is, we’re both growing counties,” Morgan says. “North Carolina is better off that both Mecklenburg and Wake County are destinations. We are both economic engines for the state of North Carolina. That’s a good thing.”

But, he adds, “We still might like a recount.”

For the final word on this matter, it looks like everyone will just have to wait until the official decennial Census numbers are released this winter.

Politics , Other posts by Stacey.