Foreclosures in North Carolina decreased in 2009 over the prior year. There was a total of 28,384 properties with foreclosure filings. That works out to a rate of one filing for every 145 households, which compares to the United States average of 45, and is a little more than one half of one percent of the state's housing units.
North Carolina is the 10th largest U.S. state by population, with 9,380,884 people (in 2008). Its 53,865 square miles make it the 28th largest state by area. Median household income in 2008 was $46,549.
While known for being a tobacco-producing state, agriculture actually constitutes less than 2 percent of North Carolina's economy. Manufacturing (particularly textiles, chemicals and paper products,) is the state's primary economic foundation. Beyond that, North Carolina is modernizing into an economy based on technology, finance and scientific research. Charlotte is home to Bank of America and Wachovia and is considered the second biggest banking city in the United States, behind New York City.