Counties with the most renters in North Carolina

Photo byArina P Habich // Shutterstock

Cities across the United States, including those in North Carolina, are made up of a mix of homeowners and renters.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, the American Census Bureau reported that 65.8% of Americans owned their homes, while 34.2% were renting.

Urban areas, in particular, tend to have higher rates of renters, driven by high property values and the influx of young professionals seeking employment after college.

Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Stacker compiled a list of North Carolina counties with the highest percentage of renters, ranked by the proportion of housing units occupied by renters as of the 2019 5-year estimates. Here's a look at the top five counties:

#5. Mecklenburg County

• Renters occupy 43.6% of housing units.
• The median gross rent in 2019 was $1,146, a 22.2% increase since 2015.
• Mecklenburg County ranks #3 for the highest rent in North Carolina and #222 nationwide.
• 37.5% of renters pay over 35% of their household income in rent.

#4. Durham County

• Renters occupy 45.6% of housing units.
• The median gross rent in 2019 was $1,067, a 19.2% increase since 2015.
• Durham County ranks #6 for the highest rent in North Carolina and #306 nationwide.
• 37.5% of renters pay over 35% of their household income in rent.

#3. Onslow County

• Renters occupy 46.9% of housing units.
• The median gross rent in 2019 was $997, a 5.7% increase since 2015.
• Onslow County ranks #9 for the highest rent in North Carolina and #408 nationwide.
• 34.9% of renters pay over 35% of their household income in rent.

#2. Pitt County

• Renters occupy 47.9% of housing units.
• The median gross rent in 2019 was $794, a 7.9% increase since 2015.
• Pitt County ranks #38 for the highest rent in North Carolina and #1,027 nationwide.
• 45.7% of renters pay over 35% of their household income in rent.

#1. Cumberland County

• Renters occupy 49.3% of housing units.
• The median gross rent in 2019 was $941, an 8.3% increase since 2015.
• Cumberland County ranks #13 for the highest rent in North Carolina and #518 nationwide.
• 43.4% of renters pay over 35% of their household income in rent.

These statistics highlight the significant renter population in these counties, reflecting the broader trends in urban areas across the state.