Death in North Carolina
In 2025, 108,718 people died in North Carolina, about 298 a day. Life expectancy at birth is 77.5 years, 1.5 years below the U.S. average of 79.0. The leading cause of death is cancer.
Quick facts
- North Carolina recorded 108,718 deaths in 2025, about 298 a day (CDC/NCHS provisional counts).
- The death rate in North Carolina was 971 per 100,000 residents in 2025, the 24th highest of the 50 states and D.C., against 909 for the U.S. (CDC/NCHS provisional counts and Census Bureau estimates).
- Life expectancy at birth in North Carolina is 77.5 years, against 79.0 for the U.S. (NCHS state life tables for 2022, adjusted to 2024 death rates).
- Women in North Carolina can expect to live 80.0 years at birth and men 74.9 (NCHS state life tables for 2022, adjusted to 2024 death rates).
- The leading cause of death in North Carolina was cancer, with 21,236 deaths in 2024 (CDC/NCHS final data).
Estimated deaths in North Carolina so far today
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Estimate based on 108,718 deaths counted in North Carolina in 2025. Those are CDC provisional counts, newer than the final data for the year before, and they may change slightly. The total is spread over the year by each month's usual share. Days start at midnight Eastern Time.
How long people live in North Carolina
| North Carolina | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|
| Everyone, at birth | 77.5 | 79.0 |
| Women, at birth | 80.0 | 81.5 |
| Men, at birth | 74.9 | 76.5 |
| Years left at 65 | 18.9 | 19.7 |
Life expectancy in years. NCHS state life tables (2022), adjusted to 2024 U.S. death rates; U.S. life tables 2024. Death rates are not adjusted for age, so states with older residents rank higher.
North Carolina had the 8th most deaths of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. in 2025, and the 24th highest death rate, 971 per 100,000 residents, against 909 for the whole country.
Work out the numbers for your own age with the life expectancy calculator, or see every state ranked in life expectancy by state.
Age at death in North Carolina
Out of everyone born today, the share who would die at each age if today's death rates held. The most common age is 86.
NCHS state life tables (2022), adjusted to 2024 U.S. death rates.
After a death in North Carolina
- ProbateUSProbate in North CarolinaWhen an estate needs probate in North Carolina, the small-estate options, and which court handles it.
- Cheap FuneralFuneral prices in North CarolinaPublished prices for direct cremation and burial at funeral homes in the state.
- FuneralUSFind a funeral homeSearch funeral homes by city or ZIP code, with contact details.
- VeteranFuneralsVeteran cemeteries in North CarolinaNational and state veterans cemeteries, and the burial benefits veterans and spouses can use.
- FunerariaCercaFunerarias en North CarolinaFuneral homes for Spanish-speaking families, in Spanish.
Leading causes of death in North Carolina
Deaths in 2024, by cause.
- Cancer21,236
- Heart disease21,126
- Accidents (unintentional injuries)7,547
- Stroke6,284
- Chronic lung disease (COPD)5,047
Source: Stats of the States: death data maps by cause (heart disease, cancer, accidents, stroke, ...), CDC / National Center for Health Statistics, 2024 final data.
The leading causes change a lot with age. See the leading causes of death by age for the U.S.