North Carolina Growth Trends and Policies

North Carolina metro areas frequently lead the lists of the best places to live and work. Yet the very things that make it popular may lead to its downfall.

1 minute read

August 27, 2000, 10:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


North Carolina metropolitan areas frequently show up at the top of lists of the nation’s best places to live or work.This year, Forbes magazine ranked 200 metro areas by wage, salary, and job growth, and increases in high tech clusters.Charlotte was 14th, Raleigh was 21st, and Wilmington was 35th. Money magazine’s, “The Best Places to Live, 2000” rankedRaleigh-Durham 2nd, Greensboro/Winston-Salem 11th, and Charlotte 12th among large metropolitan areas in the South.1The Research Triangle Region alone was highly ranked in over 40 magazines, books, reports and newspapers over the lastseven years.2 Yet, the very things that make North Carolina desirable become threatened when too many people act on theirdesires and move there. Thus, urban growth, and its environmental, social, and economic consequences, has become apressing political issue across the state.

Thanks to Chris Steins

Tuesday, August 22, 2000 in The Brookings Institution

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Yellow electric school bus with preteen students exiting.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses

The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

April 25 - Associated Press

City Hall building in Austin, Texas.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund

A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

April 25 - Spectrum Local News

Brick school building with mid-sized tree on front lawn.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards

Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

April 25 - Governing