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NORTH CAROLINA
Social & Demographic Characteristics

Other facts sheets for North Carolina:

The data below describe the state rankings and selected characteristics of the immigrant and native-born populations in North Carolina in 2011.

Rankings
The following shows North Carolina's rankings in several categories. (All rankings include the 50 states and the District of Columbia and are ranked highest to lowest.)
  Rankings
Size of the foreign-born population, 2011: 14 out of 51
Percent foreign born in the total population, 2011: 23 out of 51
Numeric change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2011: 10 out of 51
Percent change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2011: 8 out of 51

Data Highlights
For data on these topics click on the link:
Who are the foreign born?
The term foreign born refers to people residing in the United States at the time of the census who were not US citizens at birth. The foreign-born population includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent immigrants, refugees and asylees, legal nonimmigrants (including those on student, work, or other temporary visas), and persons residing in the country without authorization. By comparison, the term native refers to people residing in the United States who were US citizens in one of three categories: 1) people born in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia; 2) people born in United States Insular Areas such as Puerto Rico or Guam; or 3) people who were born abroad to at least one US citizen parent.

We use the terms immigrants and foreign born interchangeably.

Population

The foreign-born population (or immigrants; we use these terms interchangeably) of North Carolina changed by 64.7 percent between 2000 and 2011.
Between 2000 and 2011, the foreign-born population in North Carolina changed from 430,000 to 708,350, representing a change of 64.7 percent. In comparison, the foreign-born population changed from 115,077 to 430,000 between 1990 and 2000, a difference of 273.7 percent.

At the national level, the foreign-born population increased from 19,767,316 to 31,107,889 between 1990 and 2000, representing a change of 57.4 percent, and grew from 31,107,889 to 40,377,860 ( 29.8 percent) between 2000 and 2011.

In 2011, the foreign born represented 7.3 percent of North Carolina's total population.
In 2011, 7.3 percent of North Carolina's total population were immigrants, compared to 5.3 percent in 2000 and 1.7 percent in 1990.

At the national level, the foreign-born population represented 13.0 percent of the total population in 2011, compared to 11.1 percent in 2000 and 7.9 percent in 1990.

Of the total immigrant population in North Carolina, 31.6 percent entered during the 1990s, and 44.9 percent entered in 2000 or later.
Of the foreign-born population resident in North Carolina in 2011, 11.4 percent entered the country prior to 1980, 12.1 percent between 1980 and 1989, 31.6 percent between 1990 and 1999, and 44.9 percent in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 19.3 percent of the foreign-born population entered the country before 1980, 18.3 percent during the 1980s, 26.7 percent during the 1990s, and 35.7 percent in 2000 or later.

Place of Origin

The largest share of the foreign-born population in North Carolina were from Latin America.
Of the total foreign-born population in North Carolina in 2011, 5.8 percent were from Africa, 22.6 percent from Asia, 11.1 percent from Europe, 58.1 percent from Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), 2.2 percent from Northern America (Canada, Bermuda, Greenland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon), and 0.1 percent from Oceania.

At the national level, 4.1 percent were from Africa, 28.6 percent from Asia, 12.1 percent from Europe, 52.6 percent from Latin America, 2.0 percent from Northern America, and 0.5 percent from Oceania.

The top three countries of birth of the foreign born in North Carolina were mexico, india, and el salvador.*
Of the total immigrant population in North Carolina in 2011, 34.7 percent were born in mexico, 6.1 percent in india, and 4.9 percent in el salvador. In contrast, the top three countries of birth in 1990 were Germany (10.2 percent), Mexico (7.7 percent), and the United Kigdom (7.2 percent).

At the national level, the top three countries of birth in 2011 were mexico (28.9 percent), india (4.6 percent), and china (4.6 percent). The top three countries of birth in 1990 were Mexico (21.7 percent), the Philippines (4.6 percent), and Canada (3.8 percent).

*Note: These are the largest countries of birth reported by the Census Bureau. Some countries are only listed as part of a larger geographic region. For example, those born in Somalia are included only among those born in Eastern Africa. Therefore, a few states may have larger populations of foreign-born persons born in countries not listed individually in census data. "China" refers to China and Hong Kong, but not Taiwan. The 1990 data on the countries of birth reflect geographic boundaries as of 1990.

US Citizenship Status

In North Carolina, 33.1 percent of the foreign born were US citizens in 2011.
The 2011 American Community Survey reported that 234,546, or 33.1 percent, of the foreign-born population in North Carolina were citizens, compared to 112,822, or 26.2 percent, in 2000. This represents a change of 107.9 percent in the size of the foreign-born citizen population between 2000 and 2011.

Nationally, 40.3 percent of the foreign-born population were citizens in 2000, and 44.9 percent were citizens in 2011.

In North Carolina, 83.1 percent of the immigrants who entered before 1980 were citizens, compared to 11.5 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.
Among the foreign-born population in North Carolina in 2011, 83.1 percent of those who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 62.1 percent who entered during the 1980s, 34.7 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 11.5 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 79.8 percent of the foreign-born population who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 64.2 percent who entered during the 1980s, 45.1 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 16.1 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Gender and Age

In North Carolina, 48.1 percent of the immigrant population were female in 2011, and 51.9 percent male.
Of the total foreign-born population in North Carolina in 2011, 48.1 percent were female and 51.9 percent male, compared to 51.7 percent female and 48.3 percent male among the native born.

At the national level, 51.1 percent of the foreign born were female and 48.9 percent male.

Immigrants made up 0.8 percent of young children in North Carolina, 3.1 percent of youths, 11.1 percent of working-age (18-54) adults, and 4.3 percent of adults age 55 and older.
In 2011, 0.8 percent of North Carolina's population younger than age 5 were born abroad as were 3.1 percent of those 5 to 17; 8.2 percent of those 18 to 24; 11.8 percent of those 25 to 54; and 4.3 percent of seniors 55 and older.

Nationally, 1.2 percent of those under age 5 were foreign born, as well as 4.5 percent of those 5 to 17; 10.8 percent of those 18 to 24; 18.9 percent of those 25 to 54; and 13.0 percent of those 55 and older.

Of the immigrant population in North Carolina, 8.1 percent were minors, 76.9 percent were of working age (18-54), and 15.0 percent were 55 and older.
In 2011, 0.7 percent of the foreign-born population in North Carolina were under the age of 5; 7.4 percent were 5 to 17; 11.2 percent were 18 to 24; 65.7 percent were 25 to 54; and 15.0 percent were 55 or older. Among the native-born population in North Carolina, 6.9 percent were under the age of 5; 18.0 percent were between 5 and 17; 9.9 percent were 18 to 24; 38.8 percent were 25 to 54; and 26.4 percent were 55 or older.

At the national level, 0.6 percent of the immigrant population were under 5; 5.9 percent were 5 to 17; 8.3 percent were 18 to 24; 59.5 percent were 25 to 54; and 25.6 percent were 55 or older.

Race and Hispanic Origin

In North Carolina, 19.9 percent of the foreign-born population were Asian, 7.2 percent were black or African American, and 49.9 percent were white.
Of the foreign born in North Carolina in 2011, 49.9 percent reported their race as white alone, 7.2 percent as black or African American alone, 19.9 percent as Asian alone, and 20.6 percent as some other race; 2.0 percent reported having two or more races. Among the native-born population in North Carolina, 71.7 percent reported their race as white alone, 22.8 percent as black or African American alone, 0.8 percent as Asian alone, 1.3 percent as some other race, and 2.1 percent as having two or more races.

At the national level, 48.3 percent of the foreign born reported their race as white alone, 8.4 percent as black or African American alone, 24.8 percent as Asian alone, and 15.5 percent as some other race; 2.5 percent reported having two or more races.

Of the foreign born in North Carolina, 54.9 percent reported Hispanic or Latino origins.
In North Carolina, 54.9 percent of immigrants reported Hispanic or Latino origins, compared to 4.9 percent of the native born.

At the national level, 46.6 percent of the foreign born reported a Hispanic or Latino origin.

Household

The average household size of the immigrant population in North Carolina in 2011 was 3.46 persons for those who owned their own homes and 3.44 persons for those who rented.
The average household size of the foreign-born population in North Carolina who owned their own homes was 3.46 persons, while the average household size of those renting their homes was 3.44 persons. Among the native-born population in North Carolina, the average household size of those who owned their own homes was 2.52 persons, while the average household size of those who rented their homes was 2.39 persons.

The share of households headed by a foreign-born person with more than one occupant per room was 12.3 percent.
Of all households in North Carolina headed by a foreign-born person, 12.3 percent were households in which the number of household members exceeded the number of rooms in the house. Among households in North Carolina headed by native-born persons, 1.7 percent had more people than rooms in the house.

At the national level, 12.1 percent of households headed by a foreign-born person had more than one occupant per room.

Domestic and International Migration

Between 2010 and 2011, 18,889 immigrants moved to North Carolina from abroad, 22,571 immigrants relocated from other states and the District of Columbia (DC), and 17,390 immigrants left North Carolina for another state within the United States.*
Of the 41,460 immigrant respondents (ages one and older in 2011) who moved to North Carolina between 2010 and 2011, 45.6 percent (or 18,889) arrived from abroad and 54.4 percent (or 22,571) relocated from another state. At the same time, 17,390 immigrants moved out of North Carolina to another area within the United States, while 572,702 immigrants continued residing in the same house and 93,894 immigrants moved within North Carolina.

Between 2010 and 2011, 24,484 native-born residents (ages one and older) moved to North Carolina from abroad, 242,720 native born relocated from another state, 207,757 native born left North Carolina for another state, and 1,066,616 native born moved within North Carolina. The majority of native-born residents did not move (7,497,536).

Between 2010 and 2011, the total population (ages one and older) of North Carolina increased from 9,455,895 to 9,539,412 (or by 83,517) due to the net domestic in-migration of natives (34,963), the net domestic in-migration of immigrants (5,181), and the arrival from abroad of natives (24,484) and immigrants (18,889).

*Note: These estimates do not include people who lived in North Carolina in 2010 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2010 and 2011. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.

For details, see Table 3

What Was the Poverty Threshold in 2011?
Whether any family is considered below the poverty threshold depends on the families' total income before taxes, not including any capital gains or noncash benefits, such as food stamps or housing subsidies.

The Census Bureau's poverty threshold varies depending on the number of adults and children in a family. It is adjusted each month to account for inflation. Because respondents filled out the American Community Survey in different months, the poverty threshold applied to each family depends on the month in which the survey was taken.

To give a general idea of poverty levels, as defined by the US Census Bureau, the average poverty threshold for a family of four 2011 was $23,021; for a family of three, $17,916; for a family of two, $14,657; and for an unrelated individual, $11,484. All members of a family are assigned the same poverty status. Poverty thresholds are the same for the whole United States, despite differences in the cost of living across US communities.
Children in Immigrant Families

In 2011, 8.9 percent of immigrant women in North Carolina had given birth in the previous year.
Of the foreign-born women in North Carolina in 2011, 8.9 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those who had given birth, 73.2 percent were married, and 26.8 percent were not married (including those who were divorced or widowed). Among native-born women in North Carolina, 5.2 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those, 61.8 percent were married and 38.2 percent unmarried.

At the national level, 6.8 percent of immigrant women had given birth in the previous year, including 76.4 percent who were married and 23.6 percent who were unmarried.

Children residing with at least one immigrant parent accounted for 16.7 percent of children under age 18 in 2011, 9.1 percent in 2000, and 3.4 percent in 1990.
Of all children under age 18 in North Carolina in 2011, 363,852 or 16.7 percent resided in immigrant families (i.e., with at least one foreign-born parent).

Nationally, children with immigrant parents accounted for 24.3 percent of all children under age 18 in 2011, compared to 19.1 percent in 2000 and 13.4 percent in 1990.

For similar information for children under age 6 and children between ages 6 and 17, see Table 4.

Of all children with immigrant parents in North Carolina, 86.9 percent were US citizens by birth.
In 2011, there were 316,020 US-born children with at least one immigrant parent in North Carolina. They accounted for 86.9 percent of all children with immigrant parents. The share of US-born children among children of immigrants under age 18 was 73.6 percent in 2000 and 82.1 percent in 1990.

At the national level, 87.1 percent of children with immigrant parents were US born, compared to 79.5 percent in 2000 and 77.0 percent in 1990.

For similar information for children under age 6 and children between ages 6 and 17, see Table 4.

Children of immigrants accounted for 22.6 percent of all children in low-income families (i.e., below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold) in 2011, 12.2 percent in 2000, and 3.2 percent in 1990 in North Carolina.
In 2011, there were 1,069,491 children under age 18 who resided in families with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold in North Carolina. Of them, 22.6 percent were children with immigrant parent(s).

In comparison, children with immigrant parent(s) accounted for 30.5 percent of children in low-income families in the nation in 2011, 25.5 percent in 2000, and 16.7 percent in 1990.



Table 1. Foreign-Born Population and World Region of Birth (1990, 2000, and 2011)
1990
2000
2011
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Total Population of North Carolina1 6,628,637 100.0 8,049,313 100.0 9,656,401 100.0
Native born 6,513,560 98.3 7,619,313 94.7 8,948,051 92.7
Foreign born 115,077 1.7 430,000 5.3 708,350 7.3
Not a citizen 65,461 1.0 317,178 3.9 473,804 4.9
Naturalized citizen 49,616 0.7 112,822 1.4 234,546 2.4
Foreign-Born Population of North Carolina2 110,539 100.0 430,000 100.0 708,350 100.0
Born in Europe 35,764 32.4 60,222 14.0 78,920 11.1
Born in Asia 38,854 35.1 93,133 21.7 159,897 22.6
Born in Africa 5,269 4.8 20,369 4.7 41,235 5.8
Born in Oceania 838 0.8 1,825 0.4 1,018 0.1
Born in Latin America 22,823 20.6 239,853 55.8 411,417 58.1
Born in Northern America 6,991 6.3 14,598 3.4 15,863 2.2
 
 
Change 1990 to 2000
Change 1990 to 2011
Change 2000 to 2011
 
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Total Population of North Carolina1 1,420,676 21.4 3,027,764 45.7 1,607,088 20.0
Native born 1,105,753 17.0 2,434,491 37.4 1,328,738 17.4
Foreign born 314,923 273.7 593,273 515.5 278,350 64.7
Not a citizen 251,717 384.5 408,343 623.8 156,626 49.4
Naturalized citizen 63,206 127.4 184,930 372.7 121,724 107.9
Foreign-Born Population of North Carolina2 319,461 289.0 597,811 540.8 278,350 64.7
Born in Europe 24,458 68.4 43,156 120.7 18,698 31.0
Born in Asia 54,279 139.7 121,043 311.5 66,764 71.7
Born in Africa 15,100 286.6 35,966 682.6 20,866 102.4
Born in Oceania 987 117.8 180 21.5 -807 -44.2
Born in Latin America 217,030 950.9 388,594 1702.6 171,564 71.5
Born in Northern America 7,607 108.8 8,872 126.9 1,265 8.7
Notes:
1. This table describes the entire population of North Carolina.
2. For 1990, 2000, and 2011, the total for the region of birth of the foreign born is different from the total foreign born. This is because the 1990 total excludes those who did not report a country of birth and those born at sea, while the 2000 and 2011 totals exclude those born at sea. In 2000 and 2011, individuals who did not report a country of birth were allocated a country (and region) based on various characteristics. Because of this allocation in 2000 and 2011, but not in 1990, the increase for a specific region between 1990 and 2000 is overstated by a small, but unknown, amount.
Sources: US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS); US Census Bureau, 1990 Census of Population and Housing and Census 2000, click here.
For information about ACS methodology, sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.


Table 2. Characteristics of the Foreign-Born Population in North Carolina, 20111
  Number Percent
PERIOD OF ENTRY BY WORLD REGION OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population 708,350 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 317,858 44.9
Entered 1990 to 1999 224,188 31.6
Entered 1980 to 1989 85,693 12.1
Entered before 1980 80,611 11.4
Born in Europe 78,920 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 21,908 27.8
Entered 1990 to 1999 16,811 21.3
Entered 1980 to 1989 10,733 13.6
Entered before 1980 29,468 37.3
Born in Asia 159,897 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 68,723 43.0
Entered 1990 to 1999 45,349 28.4
Entered 1980 to 1989 25,786 16.1
Entered before 1980 20,039 12.5
Born in Mexico 246,101 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 127,210 51.7
Entered 1990 to 1999 93,490 38.0
Entered 1980 to 1989 18,582 7.6
Entered before 1980 6,819 2.8
Born in Other Parts of Latin America 165,316 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 75,943 45.9
Entered 1990 to 1999 49,414 29.9
Entered 1980 to 1989 24,701 14.9
Entered before 1980 15,258 9.2
Born in Other Areas2 58,116 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 24,074 41.4
Entered 1990 to 1999 19,124 32.9
Entered 1980 to 1989 5,891 10.1
Entered before 1980 9,027 15.5
CITIZENSHIP STATUS BY PERIOD OF ENTRY    
Total Foreign-Born Population 708,350 100.0
Not a citizen 473,804 66.9
Naturalized citizen 234,546 33.1
Entered in 2000 or after 317,858 100.0
Not a citizen 281,210 88.5
Naturalized citizen 36,648 11.5
Entered 1990 to 1999 224,188 100.0
Not a citizen 146,477 65.3
Naturalized citizen 77,711 34.7
Entered 1980 to 1989 85,693 100.0
Not a citizen 32,509 37.9
Naturalized citizen 53,184 62.1
Entered before 1980 80,611 100.0
Not a citizen 13,608 16.9
Naturalized citizen 67,003 83.1
GENDER    
Total Native-Born Population 8,948,051 100.0
Male 4,319,879 48.3
Female 4,628,172 51.7
Total Foreign-Born Population 708,350 100.0
Male 367,964 51.9
Female 340,386 48.1
MARITAL STATUS    
Total Native-Born Population Age 15 or Older 7,072,722 100.0
Never married 2,163,662 30.6
Now married (not separated) 3,440,035 48.6
Separated 228,944 3.2
Divorced 782,687 11.1
Widowed 457,394 6.5
Total Foreign-Born Population Age 15 or Older 667,360 100.0
Never married 199,869 29.9
Now married (not separated) 380,783 57.1
Separated 24,916 3.7
Divorced 39,426 5.9
Widowed 22,366 3.4
NATIVITY BY AGE    
Total Population 9,656,401 100.0
Under 5 626,723 100.0
Native born 621,497 99.2
Foreign born 5,226 0.8
5 to 17 1,662,419 100.0
Native born 1,610,119 96.9
Foreign born 52,300 3.1
18 to 24 967,902 100.0
Native born 888,455 91.8
Foreign born 79,447 8.2
25 to 54 3,935,449 100.0
Native born 3,470,121 88.2
Foreign born 465,328 11.8
55 and Older 2,463,908 100.0
Native born 2,357,859 95.7
Foreign born 106,049 4.3
MEDIAN AGE5    
Total Native-Born Population    
Median age 37.8 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Median age 36.6 --
RACE    
Total Native-Born Population 8,948,051 100.0
One race 8,757,130 97.9
White 6,415,323 71.7
Black or African American 2,040,537 22.8
American Indian and Alaska Native 108,881 1.2
Asian 70,195 0.8
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 3,863 0.0
Some other race 118,331 1.3
Two or more races 190,921 2.1
Total Foreign-Born Population 708,350 100.0
One race 694,416 98.0
White 353,200 49.9
Black or African American 51,021 7.2
American Indian and Alaska Native 2,752 0.0
Asian 141,133 19.9
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 269 0.0
Some other race 146,041 20.6
Two or more races 13,934 2.0
HISPANIC ORIGIN    
Total Native-Born Population 8,948,051 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 439,144 4.9
White, not Hispanic or Latino 6,144,479 68.7
Total Foreign-Born Population 708,350 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 388,960 54.9
White, not Hispanic or Latino 122,653 17.3
HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY SIZE5    
Total Native-Born Population 8,948,051  
Average household size 2.48 --
Average family size 3.06 --
Total Foreign-Born Population 708,350  
Average household size 3.45 --
Average family size 3.83 --
HOUSEHOLD SIZE BY HOUSING TENURE5    
Total Native-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 2.52 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.39 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.46 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 3.44 --
Not a Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.77 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 3.63 --
Naturalized Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.25 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.78 --
HOUSEHOLD TYPE5    
Total Native-Born Population 8,948,051 --
In married couple family household -- 57.3
In other household type -- 40.0
Total Foreign-Born Population 708,350 --
In married couple family household -- 61.6
In other household type -- 36.4
FERTILITY    
Total Native-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 2,146,321 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 111,959 5.2
Married (including spouse absent) 69,200 3.2
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 42,759 2.0
Total Foreign-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 241,375 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 21,553 8.9
Married (including spouse absent) 15,769 6.5
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 5,784 2.4
REGION/COUNTRY OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population3 708,350 100.0
Europe 78,920 11.1
Northern Europe 22,151 3.1
United Kingdom 17,597 2.5
United Kingdom, excluding England 8,061 1.1
England 9,536 1.3
Ireland 1,555 0.2
Other Northern Europe 2,999 0.4
Western Europe 23,778 3.4
France 2,685 0.4
Germany 17,969 2.5
Other Western Europe 3,124 0.4
Southern Europe 6,353 0.9
Italy 2,230 0.3
Portugal 595 0.1
Other Southern Europe 3,528 0.5
Eastern Europe 26,575 3.8
Poland 2,639 0.4
Russia 6,201 0.9
Other Eastern Europe 17,735 2.5
Europe, n.e.c.4 63 0.0
Asia 159,897 22.6
Eastern Asia 42,327 6.0
China 25,800 3.6
China, excluding Taiwan 22,163 3.1
Taiwan 3,637 0.5
Japan 2,982 0.4
Korea 13,545 1.9
Other Eastern Asia 0 0.0
South Central Asia 56,970 8.0
India 43,115 6.1
Iran 2,598 0.4
Other South Central Asia 11,257 1.6
Southeastern Asia 49,085 6.9
Philippines 9,511 1.3
Vietnam 19,663 2.8
Other Southeastern Asia 19,911 2.8
Western Asia 9,194 1.3
Israel 1,502 0.2
Lebanon 1,425 0.2
Other Western Asia 6,267 0.9
Asia, n.e.c. 4 2,321 0.3
Africa 41,235 5.8
Eastern Africa 9,806 1.4
Northern Africa 7,826 1.1
Western Africa 12,236 1.7
Middle and Southern Africa 8,213 1.2
Africa, n.e.c. 4 3,154 0.4
Oceania 1,018 0.1
Australia and New Zealand Subregion 788 0.1
Oceania, n.e.c. 4 230 0.0
Americas 427,280 60.3
Latin America 411,417 58.1
Caribbean 30,884 4.4
Cuba 6,683 0.9
Jamaica 7,006 1.0
Other Caribbean 17,195 2.4
Central America 337,127 47.6
Mexico 246,101 34.7
El Salvador 35,015 4.9
Other Central America 56,011 7.9
South America 43,406 6.1
Brazil 3,776 0.5
Colombia 11,283 1.6
Other South America 28,347 4.0
Northern America 15,863 2.2
Canada 15,722 2.2
Other Northern America 141 0.0
Notes:
1. The letter N Indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state.
2. Data on the foreign born from Africa and Oceania by period of entry are not available because the number of sample cases was too small for many states.
3. The total for the region of birth of the foreign born is different from the total foreign born. This is because the totals exclude those born at sea.
4. The abbreviation "n.e.c." stands for not elsewhere classified.
5. For Alaska, Maine, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia the data are from the US Census Bureau's pooled 2009-2011 ACS and for North Dakota and Wyoming the data are from 2007-2011 ACS. For the United States and the rest of the states the data are from 2011 ACS.
Source: US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS).
For information about ACS methodology,sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.
For definitions used in ACS, click here.


Table 3. Domestic and International Mobility of the Native and Foreign-Born Population in North Carolina1
  Number Percent
Total Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 9,455,895  
Population residing in the area in 2011 9,539,412  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 8,070,238  
Moved within North Carolina 1,160,510  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 83,517  
Moved from North Carolina to another state 225,147  
Moved to North Carolina 308,664 100.0
Moved to North Carolina from abroad 43,373 14.1
Moved to North Carolina from another state 265,291 85.9
Native-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 8,771,909  
Population residing in the area in 2011 8,831,356  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 7,497,536  
Moved within North Carolina 1,066,616  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 59,447  
Moved from North Carolina to another state 207,757  
Moved to North Carolina 267,204 100.0
Moved to North Carolina from abroad 24,484 9.2
Moved to North Carolina from another state 242,720 90.8
Foreign-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 683,986  
Population residing in the area in 2011 708,056  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 572,702  
Moved within North Carolina 93,894  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 24,070  
Moved from North Carolina to another state 17,390  
Moved to North Carolina 41,460 100.0
Moved to North Carolina from abroad 18,889 45.6
Moved to North Carolina from another state 22,571 54.4
Notes:
1. The ACS asks if the person lived in the same house or apartment one year ago. If the respondent indicates that he or she did not live in the same house or apartment one year ago, then the city, town or post office, along with the county, state, and zip code of their residence one year ago, is requested. ACS collects data every month and asks about residence one year earlier without referencing a specific date. These estimates do not include people who lived in North Carolina in 2010 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2010 and 2011. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.
2. The letter N Indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state.
Sources: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2011.
For information about ACS methodology, sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.
For definitions used in ACS, click here.


Table 4. Children in Immigrant Families in North Carolina (1990, 2000, and 2011)
1990
2000
2011
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Children under age 18 with 1,530,480 100.0 1,847,485 100.0 2,185,276 100.0
Only native parent(s) 1,478,643 96.6 1,679,668 90.9 1,821,424 83.3
One or more foreign-born parents 51,837 3.4 167,817 9.1 363,852 16.7
Child is native 42,564 2.8 123,593 6.7 316,020 14.5
Child is foreign born 9,273 0.6 44,224 2.4 47,832 2.2
Children under age 6 with 526,359 100.0 611,440 100.0 727,128 100.0
Only native parent(s) 506,775 96.3 541,905 88.6 587,299 80.8
One or more foreign-born parents 19,584 3.7 69,535 11.4 139,829 19.2
Child is native 17,733 3.4 59,710 9.8 134,345 18.5
Child is foreign born 1,851 0.4 9,825 1.6 5,484 0.8
Children between ages 6 and 17 with 1,004,121 100.0 1,236,045 100.0 1,458,148 100.0
Only native parent(s) 971,868 96.8 1,137,763 92.0 1,234,125 84.6
One or more foreign-born parents 32,253 3.2 98,282 8.0 224,023 15.4
Child is native 24,831 2.5 63,883 5.2 181,675 12.5
Child is foreign born 7,422 0.7 34,399 2.8 42,348 2.9
Children under age 18 in low-income families with 619,413 100.0 698,925 100.0 1,069,491 100.0
Only native parents 599,766 96.8 613,915 87.8 828,295 77.4
One or more foreign-born parents 19,647 3.2 85,010 12.2 241,196 22.6
Notes:
1. This table refers only to children under 18 who resided with at least one parent. These figures do not include children under 18 who reside in a home with no parents.
2. Low-income families are defined as families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold.
Sources: 1990 and 2000 Decennial Census data are from Steven Ruggles, Matthew Sobek, Trent Alexander, Catherine A. Fitch, Ronald Goeken, Patricia Kelly Hall, Miriam King, and Chad Ronnander, "Integrated Public Use Microdata Series: Version 4.0" (Machine-readable database, Minnesota Population Center [producer and distributor], 2011); US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS).