The opinions expressed in this piece are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carolina Journal or its publisher.
The state is projected to grow by 427,200 residents, nearly 4% between 2024 and 2029. The pressure is already visible across the Triangle. Raleigh surpassed 500,000 residents in 2024. The Raleigh-Cary metro area added 39,000 people in a single year. And the homes needed to house them simply aren’t there.
The people being hit hardest by the gap are those our communities depend on most, teachers, healthcare workers, young professionals, business owners, and families searching for a stable place to put down roots. Rising home prices and elevated interest rates have put homeownership out of reach for many who would have qualified just a decade ago. The American Dream isn’t disappearing. But it is getting harder to reach…