The largest towns in North Carolina in 1860.

It always seems to surprise people, when I am out giving a talk, about how small Charlotte was in 1860. So, here is a list of the population of North Carolina towns in 1860, based upon the census. Things sure have changed.

1. Wilmington         9,552

2. New Bern            5,432

3. Fayetteville        4,790

4. Raleigh                 4,780

5. Salisbury              2,420

6. Charlotte             2,265

7. Washington        1,599

8. Edenton               1,504

9. Kinston                 1,333

10. Greensboro       1,050

11. Asheville              960

12. Wilson                  960

13. Goldsboro           885

14. Greenville           828

15. Statesville           320

16. Monroe               204

17. Henderson         186