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Counties where children have the best opportunity for economic mobility in North Carolina

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January 23, 2024
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This story originally appeared on Wealth Enhancement Group and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

Counties where children have the best opportunity for economic mobility in North Carolina

Americans have long understood that their birthplace can significantly affect their futures, and academics have increasingly been able to connect tangible early life factors like where they live and the friendships they've cultivated with potential future income.

Among the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

As part of a national analysis, Wealth Enhancement Group used data from Harvard University's Social Capital Atlas project to identify where in North Carolina children have the best (and worst) chances at upward economic mobility.

The research draws on a privacy-protected dataset representing 21 billion friendships from Facebook made public through its parent company Meta's Data for Good project. It also uses anonymous tax records, according to the authors. The scholars assigned a score to locales according to how economically connected low- and high-income people living in the area have historically been over at least a decade, per that data. The dataset does not include scores for about 180 of the 3,000 or so counties in the U.S.

The research attempts to fill in the gaps of previous efforts to study American economic mobility that did not consider a person's vast social networks nor their importance in creating better lives for themselves and their children.

It turns out the ability to cultivate friendships linking people of different socioeconomic backgrounds with one another is the strongest factor in determining whether a child can surpass the earning potential of their parents, Harvard researchers found. They call this economic connectedness.

Read on to find out where economic connectedness is strongest in your state.

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#50. Gaston County

- Economic connectedness: 0.63
- Median Income: $56,819
- Population: 226,097
--- 74.2% white
--- 17.1% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.7% Asian
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CJ Nunnery // Shutterstock

#49. Lee County

- Economic connectedness: 0.63
- Median Income: $57,674
- Population: 62,676
--- 70.9% white
--- 19.2% Black
--- 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.2% Asian
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Gary Rolband // Shutterstock

#48. Ashe County

- Economic connectedness: 0.63
- Median Income: $43,938
- Population: 26,598
--- 95.8% white
--- 0.9% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.5% Asian
4 / 50
Nolichuckyjake // Shutterstock

#47. Alexander County

- Economic connectedness: 0.64
- Median Income: $55,041
- Population: 36,491
--- 87.7% white
--- 5.1% Black
--- 0.9% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.1% Asian
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Nikola Spasic Photography // Shutterstock

#46. Pitt County

- Economic connectedness: 0.64
- Median Income: $50,422
- Population: 170,600
--- 55.3% white
--- 35.2% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.7% Asian
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KAD Photo // Shutterstock

#45. Chatham County

- Economic connectedness: 0.64
- Median Income: $76,791
- Population: 75,070
--- 76.6% white
--- 11.4% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.6% Asian
7 / 50
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#44. Forsyth County

- Economic connectedness: 0.64
- Median Income: $56,830
- Population: 380,583
--- 62.4% white
--- 25.9% Black
--- 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 2.4% Asian
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Nolichuckyjake // Shutterstock

#43. Catawba County

- Economic connectedness: 0.65
- Median Income: $57,840
- Population: 159,852
--- 77.5% white
--- 8.1% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 4.5% Asian
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Mary Terriberry // Shutterstock

#42. Stokes County

- Economic connectedness: 0.65
- Median Income: $52,637
- Population: 44,588
--- 92.2% white
--- 3.9% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.4% Asian
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#41. Haywood County

- Economic connectedness: 0.65
- Median Income: $52,063
- Population: 61,695
--- 93.4% white
--- 0.7% Black
--- 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.5% Asian
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Nolichuckyjake // Shutterstock

#40. Rowan County

- Economic connectedness: 0.66
- Median Income: $53,600
- Population: 145,784
--- 75.1% white
--- 16.2% Black
--- 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.1% Asian
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#39. Pamlico County

- Economic connectedness: 0.66
- Median Income: $52,124
- Population: 12,293
--- 76.1% white
--- 18.9% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.6% Asian
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#38. Guilford County

- Economic connectedness: 0.66
- Median Income: $58,646
- Population: 537,113
--- 52.5% white
--- 34.4% Black
--- 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 5.2% Asian
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#37. Pasquotank County

- Economic connectedness: 0.67
- Median Income: $56,510
- Population: 40,240
--- 57.1% white
--- 36.3% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.2% Asian
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D Guest Smith // Shutterstock

#36. Perquimans County

- Economic connectedness: 0.67
- Median Income: $53,138
- Population: 13,002
--- 72.4% white
--- 22.8% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.6% Asian
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#35. Hoke County

- Economic connectedness: 0.68
- Median Income: $53,456
- Population: 52,169
--- 43.4% white
--- 33.2% Black
--- 7.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.5% Asian
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#34. Jones County

- Economic connectedness: 0.68
- Median Income: $42,401
- Population: 9,326
--- 62.3% white
--- 27.8% Black
--- 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.3% Asian
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#33. Clay County

- Economic connectedness: 0.68
- Median Income: $47,155
- Population: 10,997
--- 93.8% white
--- 2.4% Black
--- 1.7% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.7% Asian
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#32. Cumberland County

- Economic connectedness: 0.68
- Median Income: $50,746
- Population: 333,582
--- 46.6% white
--- 37.2% Black
--- 1.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 2.5% Asian
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#31. Jackson County

- Economic connectedness: 0.68
- Median Income: $47,989
- Population: 42,983
--- 81.2% white
--- 2.1% Black
--- 7.5% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1% Asian
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Wileydoc // Shutterstock

#30. Harnett County

- Economic connectedness: 0.69
- Median Income: $59,676
- Population: 133,074
--- 65.4% white
--- 21.2% Black
--- 1.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.3% Asian
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digidreamgrafix // Shutterstock

#29. Mecklenburg County

- Economic connectedness: 0.69
- Median Income: $73,124
- Population: 1,100,984
--- 49.9% white
--- 31.4% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 6% Asian
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Anthony Ricci // Shutterstock

#28. Henderson County

- Economic connectedness: 0.71
- Median Income: $59,928
- Population: 115,613
--- 88.5% white
--- 3.4% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.4% Asian
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Nolichuckyjake // Shutterstock

#27. Davie County

- Economic connectedness: 0.71
- Median Income: $64,657
- Population: 42,543
--- 86.8% white
--- 4.6% Black
--- 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.6% Asian
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Wileydoc / Shutterstock

#26. Johnston County

- Economic connectedness: 0.71
- Median Income: $66,026
- Population: 211,320
--- 72.5% white
--- 16.2% Black
--- 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.7% Asian
26 / 50
Isaiah N Lilly // Shutterstock

#25. Stanly County

- Economic connectedness: 0.71
- Median Income: $56,462
- Population: 62,148
--- 82.8% white
--- 11.7% Black
--- 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.8% Asian
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#24. Transylvania County

- Economic connectedness: 0.72
- Median Income: $57,830
- Population: 32,979
--- 90.8% white
--- 4.4% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
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iofoto // Shutterstock

#23. Brunswick County

- Economic connectedness: 0.72
- Median Income: $64,400
- Population: 133,789
--- 83.4% white
--- 9.1% Black
--- 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.6% Asian
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#22. Durham County

- Economic connectedness: 0.73
- Median Income: $67,000
- Population: 320,146
--- 48.9% white
--- 35.2% Black
--- 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 4.9% Asian
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#21. Craven County

- Economic connectedness: 0.73
- Median Income: $56,325
- Population: 101,405
--- 69.4% white
--- 21.4% Black
--- 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 2.6% Asian
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#20. Pender County

- Economic connectedness: 0.74
- Median Income: $65,681
- Population: 59,964
--- 76.6% white
--- 13.5% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.6% Asian
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#19. Cabarrus County

- Economic connectedness: 0.74
- Median Income: $75,765
- Population: 221,200
--- 67.6% white
--- 19.3% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 4.6% Asian
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#18. Avery County

- Economic connectedness: 0.74
- Median Income: $46,383
- Population: 17,747
--- 90.2% white
--- 4.1% Black
--- 1.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.5% Asian
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Nolichuckyjake // Shutterstock

#17. Lincoln County

- Economic connectedness: 0.74
- Median Income: $65,399
- Population: 85,670
--- 87.8% white
--- 5% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.8% Asian
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#16. Polk County

- Economic connectedness: 0.75
- Median Income: $55,058
- Population: 19,413
--- 90.6% white
--- 4.8% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.7% Asian
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#15. Iredell County

- Economic connectedness: 0.75
- Median Income: $66,824
- Population: 183,965
--- 78.6% white
--- 11.9% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 2.4% Asian
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SevenMaps // Shutterstock

#14. Gates County

- Economic connectedness: 0.77
- Median Income: $51,599
- Population: 10,584
--- 63% white
--- 30% Black
--- 1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.2% Asian
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David Garrison // Shutterstock

#13. Franklin County

- Economic connectedness: 0.77
- Median Income: $62,332
- Population: 67,598
--- 65.9% white
--- 23.7% Black
--- 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.6% Asian
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Nolichuckyjake // Shutterstock

#12. Union County

- Economic connectedness: 0.77
- Median Income: $88,465
- Population: 235,699
--- 76.6% white
--- 11.4% Black
--- 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 3.5% Asian
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KAD Photo // Shutterstock

#11. Moore County

- Economic connectedness: 0.78
- Median Income: $67,440
- Population: 98,618
--- 79.4% white
--- 10.7% Black
--- 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.1% Asian
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#10. Carteret County

- Economic connectedness: 0.8
- Median Income: $61,805
- Population: 67,944
--- 88.5% white
--- 4.4% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.3% Asian
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Nagel Photography // Shutterstock

#9. Buncombe County

- Economic connectedness: 0.81
- Median Income: $59,699
- Population: 266,981
--- 86.4% white
--- 5.8% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.2% Asian
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PatGallery // Shutterstock

#8. New Hanover County

- Economic connectedness: 0.84
- Median Income: $62,362
- Population: 225,175
--- 79.6% white
--- 12.6% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.3% Asian
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MarkVanDykePhotography // Shutterstock

#7. Dare County

- Economic connectedness: 0.88
- Median Income: $69,500
- Population: 36,718
--- 88.9% white
--- 3.7% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.5% Asian
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#6. Wake County

- Economic connectedness: 0.88
- Median Income: $88,471
- Population: 1,112,883
--- 62.5% white
--- 19.9% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 7.5% Asian
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Anya Douglas // Shutterstock

#5. Onslow County

- Economic connectedness: 0.88
- Median Income: $54,732
- Population: 201,597
--- 72.1% white
--- 14.3% Black
--- 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 2% Asian
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aceshot1 // Shutterstock

#4. Currituck County

- Economic connectedness: 0.91
- Median Income: $79,416
- Population: 27,575
--- 87.6% white
--- 5.8% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.7% Asian
48 / 50
Constantine Lukashin // Shutterstock

#3. Camden County

- Economic connectedness: 0.92
- Median Income: $68,560
- Population: 10,353
--- 81.2% white
--- 10.6% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.9% Asian
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#2. Watauga County

- Economic connectedness: 0.94
- Median Income: $48,786
- Population: 54,077
--- 93.2% white
--- 1.8% Black
--- 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.3% Asian
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Bryan Pollard // Shutterstock

#1. Orange County

- Economic connectedness: 1.01
- Median Income: $79,205
- Population: 147,376
--- 73.2% white
--- 11.1% Black
--- 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 7.9% Asian

This story features data reporting and writing by Dom DiFurio and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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