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North Carolina: elevation, cities and highest point

North Carolina has 11,197,968 people (2025) and 100 counties. Its highest point is Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 ft, and its lowest, the Atlantic Ocean, at sea level. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 250,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties.

By the Mapsfera Team

Population (2025)
11,197,968
The 9th most populous of the 50 states
Land area
48,624 sq mi
The 29th largest state
Counties
100
According to the Census (2025)
Capital
Raleigh
At 315 ft · the 30th highest state capital
Highest point
6,684 ft
Mount Mitchell · the 16th highest of the 50 state high points
Lowest point
Sea level
Atlantic Ocean

Map of North Carolina’s counties

Cherokee Madison Robeson Greene McDowell Columbus Anson Montgomery Mecklenburg Moore Camden Caswell Pasquotank Carteret Cumberland Macon Sampson Harnett Haywood Caldwell Pender Richmond Davie Graham Pitt Nash Hyde Beaufort Burke Mitchell Swain Onslow Halifax Transylvania Brunswick Pamlico Edgecombe Ashe Northampton Bertie Bladen Hertford Currituck Stanly New Hanover Scotland Rowan Wilkes Clay Wake Craven Davidson Yancey Rutherford Hoke Gates Alamance Lenoir Watauga Wayne Martin Wilson Cabarrus Randolph Yadkin Union Franklin Chowan Catawba Surry Iredell Lee Vance Forsyth Duplin Cleveland Dare Durham Alleghany Warren Avery Person Stokes Alexander Rockingham Chatham Perquimans Granville Guilford Lincoln Polk Washington Buncombe Tyrrell Gaston Orange Jackson Jones Johnston Henderson Winston-Salem · 911 ft Greensboro · 823 ft Charlotte · 763 ft Durham · 395 ft Raleigh · 315 ft Mount Mitchell · 6,684 ft
  • Capital’s county
  • County with a city page
  • City, by elevation
  • Highest point
Printable blank map

Elevation

The capital, Raleigh, sits at 315 ft (96 m): the 30th highest of the 50 state capitals. North Carolina’s highest point, Mount Mitchell, is 203 mi away in a straight line and 6,369 ft higher.

Between its highest point (6,684 ft) and its lowest (sea level) there’s 6,684 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, North Carolina’s is the 16th highest.

North Carolina has 5 cities with a page. The highest is Winston-Salem, at 911 ft, and the lowest is Raleigh, at 315 ft: 596 ft apart.

North Carolina borders 4 states. Their highest points are Kuwohi, in Tennessee (6,643 ft), Brasstown Bald, in Georgia (4,784 ft), Sassafras Mountain, in South Carolina (3,560 ft), and Mount Rogers, in Virginia (5,729 ft): North Carolina’s is the highest of the 5. Their capitals: Nashville (555 ft), Atlanta (1,050 ft), Columbia (299 ft), and Richmond (213 ft).

  1. Mount Mitchell 6,684 ft
  2. Winston-Salem 911 ft
  3. Greensboro 823 ft
  4. Charlotte 763 ft
  5. Durham 395 ft
  6. Raleigh 315 ft

Population

North Carolina had 11,197,968 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 7.2% more than in April 2020 (10,441,392). Across 48,624 sq mi of land, that’s 230 people/sq mi.

Its most populous place is Charlotte, with 964,784 people. The Census counts 776 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in North Carolina.

The most populous places in North Carolina
Place Population Land area Elevation
Charlotte 964,784 312 sq mi 763 ft
Raleigh 506,306 152 sq mi 315 ft
Greensboro 308,667 135 sq mi 823 ft
Durham 305,561 120 sq mi 395 ft
Winston-Salem 257,271 134 sq mi 911 ft
Fayetteville 209,120 148 sq mi —
Cary 183,582 61.1 sq mi —
Wilmington 126,809 51.4 sq mi —
High Point 120,571 57.5 sq mi —
Concord 114,598 64.8 sq mi —

Neighboring states

Tools

Map of Wake County A county on the map with all its cities and towns, ready to print. Blank map of North Carolina counties Blank, with names or to color in, on Letter or A4. US county map Population, income and area of every county on a color-coded map. What county am I in? Your county, city and ZIP code, from your location. US time zone map What time it is in each state and where the clocks change. Elevation of a point Look up any town in North Carolina and see its elevation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest point in North Carolina?

Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 16th highest of the 50 state high points.

What is the lowest point in North Carolina?

The Atlantic Ocean, at sea level, according to the same USGS table.

What is the elevation of Raleigh, the capital?

315 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 30th highest state capital.

What is the highest city in North Carolina?

Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 250,000 people), Winston-Salem, at 911 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.

How many counties does North Carolina have?

100, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.

Sources

  • Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
  • Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
  • City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
  • County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).

Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know