Currently, the rapid influx of northerners and immigrants from Latin America is steadily increasing ethnic and religious diversity: the number of Roman Catholics and Jews in the state has increased, as well as general religious diversity. The Research Triangle area has long been a well-known center for folk, rock, metal, jazz and punk. If you plan to live outside of the city, you’ll probably want to own one, too. In the 500–700 years preceding European contact, the Mississippian culture built large, complex cities and maintained far-flung regional trading networks. They failed, leaving behind the mystery of the Lost Colony. It’s a popular state for transplants, especially millennials, and it offers all sorts of lifestyles for a variety of residents. In some cases the war was also an excuse to settle private grudges and rivalries. It’s where English settlers first attempted to build a colony in the New World. North Carolinians enjoy outdoor recreation utilizing numerous local bike paths, 34 state parks, and 14 national parks. As you consider all of your available options, we put together everything you need to know about moving to the Tar Heel State—beginning with the most important questions. The cardinal is the state bird of North Carolina. Most of North Carolina's slave owners and large plantations were located in the eastern portion of the state. Located in southeast North Carolina, it’s also a short drive to Asheville and South Carolina—offering even more to do in this area. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the population of North Carolina was 10,488,084 on July 1, 2019, an 9.99% increase since the 2010 Census. Located in the Outer Banks region, Wilmington is the ultimate destination for beach lovers. For the British colony from 1712–1776, see, "The Old North State" redirects here. Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War, United States Declaration of Independence, Constitutional Convention (United States), List of U.S. states by date of admission to the Union, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, "North Carolina Climate Data according USA.com", Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, North Carolina locations by per capita income, Political party strength in North Carolina, North Carolina State Legislative Building, North Carolina's 9th congressional district, List of school districts in North Carolina, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction, List of colleges and universities in North Carolina, List of universities in North Carolina by enrollment, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of North Carolina at Asheville, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, List of defunct newspapers of North Carolina, List of television stations in North Carolina, National Junior College Athletics Association, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, "Elevations and Distances in the United States", "Charlotte regains its place as No. Two rivers converge in New Bern, then flow into the Atlantic Ocean, which is a 45-minute drive away. Winston-Salem is the birthplace of R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR), founded by R. J. Reynolds in 1874 as one of 16 tobacco companies in the town. Except for the Earl Granville holdings, it became a royal colony seventeen years later. It’s where Pepsi-Cola was invented and is North Carolina’s second-oldest town. In 2016, the U.S. Census Bureau released 2015 population estimate counts for North Carolina's counties. The state also has a special history with the Moravian Church, as settlers of this faith (largely of German origin) settled in the Winston-Salem area in the 18th and 19th centuries. Since Southern Democrat Jimmy Carter's comfortable victory in the state in 1976, the state had consistently leaned Republican in presidential elections until Democrat Barack Obama narrowly won the state in 2008. This was a smaller proportion than in many other Southern states. North Carolina was inhabited for at least ten thousand years by succeeding prehistoric indigenous cultures. (North Carolina Maritime History Council). ", "James Taylor to play 5 free NC concerts for Obama", "USS North Carolina 'brought to life' again", "NASCAR made North Carolina's official state sport", "USAF Atomic Bomb in North Carolina 1961", The Religion in North Carolina Digital Collection, Wineries, Restaurants and Tourism in the state, North Carolina State Guide, from the Library of Congress, The Guardian: "U.S. nearly detonated atomic bomb over North Carolina—secret document", Energy & Environmental Data for North Carolina, USGS real-time, geographic, and other scientific resources of North Carolina, North Carolina facts from U.S. Department of Agriculture ERS, North Carolina Court System official site, North Carolina facts from U.S. Census Bureau, NC ECHO—North Carolina Exploring Cultural Heritage Online, North Carolina Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Green 'N' Growing: The History of Home Demonstration and 4-H Youth Development in North Carolina, Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina, Driving Through Time: The Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, cities with populations exceeding 100,000, List of North Carolina State Natural Areas, C.S.S. No previous experience at this location, I was partly a scouting mission. #MicroFourThirds With breathtaking mountain views, stunning coastlines, culture, history, and amazing career opportunities, people from all over the U.S. are moving to North Carolina. Towns and cities remained few in the east. Whether you’re planning a day trip, weekend getaway or weeklong vacation, there’s no shortage of things to do in North Carolina. Many Carolinian frontiersmen had moved west over the mountains, into the Washington District (later known as Tennessee), but in 1789, following the Revolution, the state was persuaded to relinquish its claim to the western lands. In the 1700s, a series of smallpox epidemics swept the South, causing high fatalities among the Native Americans, who had no immunity to the new disease (it had become endemic in Europe). What was once known as a traditional economy built on tobacco and manufacturing has quickly evolved into a technology-driven economy. ⛰ Before 200 AD, they were building earthwork mounds, which were used for ceremonial and religious purposes. By the late 19th century, the largest Protestant denomination in North Carolina was the Baptist, when both whites and blacks were considered, but the latter people had set up their own organizations.