North Carolina has been acknowledged for its economic performance, securing the 7th position in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 rankings of state economies. The state’s economy demonstrated a job growth rate of 2.6%, which is higher than the national average of 1.5%.
The report evaluated all 50 states using 71 metrics across eight categories. These categories were weighted based on an average derived from three years of data collected through national surveys, which asked thousands to prioritize various issues within their state. Education, healthcare, and economy were identified as the top three weighted categories.
North Carolina’s economic strength is supported by key industries such as banking, pharmaceuticals, and technology. Research Triangle Park plays a significant role in this success, hosting over 200 companies.
