Building Vibrant Communities
At the NC Rural Center, we envision a North Carolina where every rural voice matters and every rural community thrives, and we've made it our mission to invest in rural people, communities, and potential to make that happen.
Registration for the 2026 Rural Summit Now Open
The Rural Center will host its annual Rural Summit on March 26-27 in Raleigh. This year, we're partnering with the Institute for Emerging Issues at N.C. State University to explore rural infrastructure issues. Visit our Rural Summit page to learn more and register.
News & Stories
Learn more about what we're doing at the NC Rural Center. Catch up on our latest news, client profiles, impact stories, research and press releases.
Angela Caraway: Saying Yes to Opportunity in Anson County
Alumni Network, LeadershipBenson Elected New Board of Directors Chair; Reasoner Elected to Three-Year Term
Board of Directors, Leadership, Press ReleaseJumping Into Opening Businesses in Ahoskie
Loan Participation Program, Small Business LendingPrime Numbers
43.3 percent of rural 25-44-year-olds have a postsecondary degree or credential
23.2 percent of rural residents 25 years or older have a bachelor's degree or higher education
Over 51 thousand rural residents were enrolled in the UNC System for the Fall 2024 semester
Nearly 164 thousand rural residents were enrolled in the North Carolina Community College System for the Fall 2024 Semester
There were over 467 thousand rural public K-12 students in the 2023 to 2024 school year
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