Quick Facts and Information About North Carolina

North Carolina is a state in the southeastern United States, and it is bordered by Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and the Atlantic Ocean. This page lists some basic, quick facts about North Carolina and provides links to other useful information.

Quick Facts

Date North Carolina became a state: November 21, 1789 (12th state)

State Capital: Raleigh (Wake County)

Governor: Roy Cooper

State Motto: Esse Quam Videri: To be rather than to seem

State Song: The Old North State

State Colors: Red and Blue

State Bird: Cardinal

State Flower: Dogwood

State Name Origin and Nicknames: Carolina, the Tar Heel State, the Old North State

Economy, Gross Domestic Product: $575,605,000,000 (2018, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis)

Population Estimate: 10,551,162 people (U.S. Census Bureau, 2021) (visit the U.S. Census Quick Facts for more information)

Population Rank: 9th largest state in the United States

Largest City (Population): Charlotte -- 830,258 (North Carolina Office of Budget and Management, 2016)

Total Land Area: 48,617.91 square miles

Land Area Rank: 28th largest state in the United States by land area

Number of Counties: 100

Highest Point in North Carolina: Mount Mitchell (6,684 feet)

Distance Between Murphy (west) and Manteo (east): 546 miles (driving); 474.5 miles (direct, "as the crow flies")

Length by Width: North Carolina is 503 miles long by 150 miles wide

Seats in the U.S. House of Representatives: 14

Seats in the N.C. General Assembly: 120 members in the House; 50 members in the Senate. Find your state legislators at https://www.ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators