North Carolina is a state with diverse landscapes, rich culture, and booming industries. However, not all of its towns are equally attractive to residents. Some towns are experiencing population decline, high crime rates, low incomes, and poor quality of life. Here are seven North Carolina towns that people are fleeing as soon as possible.
1. Lumberton
Lumberton is a town in Robeson County, near the border with South Carolina. It has a population of about 20,000 people, but it has been shrinking since 2010. Lumberton is one of the most dangerous places in North Carolina, with a violent crime rate of 19.9 per 1,000 residents, more than four times the state average. Lumberton also has a high poverty rate of 33.6%, and a low median household income of $28,293. Lumberton was hit hard by Hurricane Florence in 2018, which caused severe flooding and damage to homes and businesses.
2. Laurinburg
Laurinburg is a town in Scotland County, in the southern part of the state. It has a population of about 15,000 people, but it has lost more than 10% of its residents since 2000. Laurinburg has a high unemployment rate of 9.4%, and a low median household income of $29,506. Laurinburg also has a high crime rate, with 14.8 violent crimes and 67.9 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Laurinburg is home to St. Andrews University, a private liberal arts college, but it does not seem to attract many young professionals or families.
3. Roanoke Rapids
Roanoke Rapids is a town in Halifax County, in the northeastern part of the state. It has a population of about 15,000 people, but it has lost more than 7% of its residents since 2010. Roanoke Rapids has a low median household income of $31,822, and a high poverty rate of 24.9%. Roanoke Rapids also has a high crime rate, with 11.9 violent crimes and 60.4 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Roanoke Rapids was once a thriving textile and paper mill town, but it has suffered from the decline of these industries and the closure of several factories.
4. Eden
Eden is a town in Rockingham County, in the northern part of the state. It has a population of about 15,000 people, but it has lost more than 13% of its residents since 2000. Eden has a low median household income of $32,909, and a high poverty rate of 22.6%. Eden also has a high crime rate, with 10.8 violent crimes and 64.8 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Eden was also a former textile and manufacturing town, but it has faced economic hardship and job losses due to outsourcing and automation.
5. Kinston
Kinston is a town in Lenoir County, in the eastern part of the state. It has a population of about 20,000 people, but it has lost more than 16% of its residents since 2000. Kinston has a low median household income of $30,369, and a high poverty rate of 34.9%. Kinston also has a high crime rate, with 12.7 violent crimes and 69.3 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Kinston was once a prosperous tobacco and agricultural town, but it has struggled to diversify its economy and attract new businesses.
6. Goldsboro
Goldsboro is a town in Wayne County, in the central part of the state. It has a population of about 35,000 people, but it has lost more than 5% of its residents since 2010. Goldsboro has a low median household income of $34,897, and a high poverty rate of 25.4%. Goldsboro also has a high crime rate, with 10.9 violent crimes and 54.2 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Goldsboro is home to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, but it has not been able to capitalize on its military presence or its location along Interstate 95.
7. Elizabeth City
Elizabeth City is a town in Pasquotank County, in the northeastern part of the state. It has a population of about 18,000 people, but it has lost more than 4% of its residents since 2010. Elizabeth City has a low median household income of $33,409, and a high poverty rate of 28.4%. Elizabeth City also has a high crime rate, with 9.8 violent crimes and 58.9 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Elizabeth City is a historic port town, but it has faced competition from other coastal cities and towns in the region.
Conclusion
These seven North Carolina towns are examples of places that have been losing population, income, and quality of life in recent years. They are facing various challenges, such as crime, poverty, unemployment, natural disasters, and industrial decline. While some of these towns may have potential for revival or redevelopment, many people are choosing to leave them for better opportunities elsewhere. North Carolina is a state with many attractive and thriving towns and cities, but these seven are not among them.