Older adults are North Carolina's fastest growing segment of the population.
North Carolina ranks 3rd in the nation for net migration of retirees. The median age in NC increased to 33.0 years in 1990 from 26.5 years in 1970. By 2020, it is projected to increase to 39.0 years. North Carolina will need more than 21,000 additional nurse aides and other paraprofessionals to meet the long term care needs of its older adults over the next 5 years. The North Carolina Atlas.