RTP, Wilmington, and Fayetteville Named Fastest-Growing Cities by LinkedIn

LinkedIn News recently released its Cities on the Rise 2025 report, spotlighting the 25 fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S. for jobs and talent. The rankings are based on four data indicators:

1. Growth in hiring,
2. Increase in job postings,
3. Net inflow of LinkedIn members,
4. Growth in remote job postings.

These metrics paint a picture of where economic opportunity is booming — and North Carolina made a big impression. Three of its metro areas—Raleigh–Durham–Chapel Hill (RTP), Wilmington, and Fayetteville—earned spots in the top 20.

For real estate investors, these rankings are more than bragging rights—they’re strong signals of where demand for housing and neighborhood retail is likely to accelerate.

---

Research Triangle Park (Raleigh–Durham–Chapel Hill): Ranked #6

North Carolina’s flagship innovation hub continues to shine. RTP landed #6 nationally, thanks to:

• A strong influx of educated professionals,
• Growth in high-wage industries like biotech, software, and healthcare,
• Balanced lifestyle appeal with suburban affordability and urban vibrancy.

This region is already home to major expansions from Apple, Google, Eli Lilly, and Biogen. With a population influx and rising professional incomes, we see continued upside for multifamily housing and well-located shopping centers—especially near transit corridors and mixed-use developments.

---

Wilmington: Ranked #18

This coastal city is more than a beach town—it’s becoming a knowledge and logistics hub. Wilmington’s ranking at #18 was fueled by:

• Surging remote work migration,
• A growing footprint in film, pharmaceuticals, and port-based trade,
• A lifestyle that combines outdoor living, culture, and affordability.

Wilmington’s transformation into a year-round economic engine suggests rising demand for rental housing, neighborhood retail, and service-based commercial space in and around the city.

---

Fayetteville: Ranked #20

Often overlooked, Fayetteville landed at #20 for a reason:

• Home to Fort Liberty, it benefits from steady government and defense-sector employment,
• A younger demographic and affordable housing make it attractive for early-career professionals and families,
• Growth in healthcare, education, and logistics are driving job creation.

Fayetteville’s momentum signals opportunity for workforce housing and daily-needs retail, especially near growing suburban nodes.

---

Borderline Boost: Myrtle Beach and Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson

Just beyond North Carolina’s southern border, Myrtle Beach (#3) and Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson (#14) also made the top 20. These South Carolina metros are within commuting or lifestyle range of:

• Brunswick and Columbus Counties (Myrtle Beach),
• Charlotte metro commuters and western NC towns (Greenville-Spartanburg).

For investors looking beyond state lines, these fast-growing regions offer strong fundamentals—and their growth can spill over into southeastern and southwestern NC.

---

What This Means for Investors

The LinkedIn “Cities on the Rise” report reinforces what we already see on the ground: North Carolina’s mid-sized metros are leading the nation in economic momentum. These communities are:

• Attracting working professionals,
• Creating high-paying jobs,
• Benefiting from migration out of high-cost areas.

As demand for housing and services grows, so does the opportunity for investors. NC Capital Group is actively identifying stable, long-term real estate investments—multifamily housing and neighborhood shopping centers in these high-growth regions.