NewHomeSource highlighted the top U.S. cities for job growth in 2025, with Charlotte and Raleigh both landing in the top five nationwide. That recognition isn’t just a headline—it reflects real economic momentum in North Carolina’s largest metros, backed up by Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
According to the BLS Current Employment Statistics, both metros continue to post impressive employment gains:
- Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia Metro: Nonfarm employment grew about 2.5% year over year, with the most recent figures showing even stronger momentum.
- Raleigh–Cary Metro: Employment grew roughly 2–3.5% year over year, placing Raleigh among the fastest-growing job markets in the country.
Even more encouraging, the growth isn’t just in raw job numbers—it’s especially strong in higher-wage sectors like technology, finance, and professional services. That means the region isn’t just adding jobs; it’s attracting and retaining skilled professionals with strong spending power.
Why Job Growth Matters for Real Estate
Job growth drives population growth, as workers relocate to take advantage of new opportunities. And when population grows, so does demand for life’s essentials:
- Housing: More people need apartments, single-family homes, and workforce housing.
- Neighborhood Shopping Centers: Growing communities need groceries, pharmacies, dining, and daily services close to where they live.
For investors, these dynamics create steady demand for both multifamily housing and bread-and-butter retail—assets that perform well in strong labor markets like Charlotte and Raleigh.
The Bigger Picture
With both Charlotte and Raleigh consistently ranking among the nation’s best job-growth metros, North Carolina continues to strengthen its position as one of the country’s most attractive regions for long-term real estate investment. The combination of sustained employment growth, higher-income job creation, and population inflows ensures that demand for housing and community retail will remain robust for years to come.
Eddie Coleman, CCIM, is the Principal Investment Officer at NC Capital Group. With over 40 years of experience in Commercial Real Estate in North Carolina and South Carolina, his experience spans multifamily, retail, office, historic adaptation, etc. In addition to advising clients and brokering transactions, he has extensive knowledge of North Carolina through experience in corporate site acquisition, development, capitalization, HUD financing, etc. He holds the prestigious Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation.