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As we step into 2026, the challenges women face in the workforce continue to evolve, yet disparities remain. From unequal pay to underrepresentation in leadership roles, women still navigate a complex landscape in their careers. Understanding the best and worst cities for women in North Carolina is crucial for those seeking equitable opportunities.
In this article, we delve into the cities in North Carolina where women face the greatest challenges, based on a comprehensive analysis of key metrics. Explore the rankings below to see how your city measures up.
The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In North Carolina
These cities present the most challenges for women in North Carolina. Continue reading to discover the factors contributing to these rankings, or skip to the end for a look at the best cities for women.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In North Carolina
Each city was evaluated across four critical categories:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower percentages indicate worse conditions)
- Percentage of Women in Poverty (Higher percentages indicate worse conditions)
- Women’s Earnings Compared to Men’s Earnings (Lower ratios indicate worse conditions)
- Percentage of Uninsured Women (Lower percentages indicate worse conditions)
To assess the income gap, we utilized data from the Census’ American Community Survey. We calculated the ratio of median male income to median female income to determine how much women earn for every dollar earned by men.
For poverty metrics, we focused on women living without relatives, which typically represents a younger demographic with lower earnings. This approach provides a clearer picture of the financial struggles faced by women in these cities.
We also examined the representation of women in management roles, as this is a critical indicator of career advancement opportunities for women. Finally, we sourced data on uninsured women from the ACS to evaluate access to healthcare.
Only cities in North Carolina with populations exceeding 5,000 were included in our analysis.
1. Selma
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.71
Women In Management: 22.6%
Women In Poverty: 43.9%
Women Uninsured: 20.8%
Selma ranks as the most challenging city for women in North Carolina due to consistently low scores across critical metrics. With a high poverty rate and significant numbers of uninsured women, it’s evident that Selma presents substantial obstacles for its female residents.
2. Lenoir
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.68
Women In Management: 27.2%
Women In Poverty: 27.7%
Women Uninsured: 14.4%
Lenoir stands as the second most challenging city for women, with high poverty rates and low representation in leadership roles.
3. Lexington
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.68
Women In Management: 35.3%
Women In Poverty: 33.7%
Women Uninsured: 16.8%
In Lexington, women face significant challenges, with low management representation and a considerable portion of the population living in poverty.
4. Laurinburg
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.62
Women In Management: 34.7%
Women In Poverty: 36.6%
Women Uninsured: 10.4%
Laurinburg ranks fourth, with a high percentage of women living in poverty and a notable uninsured rate.
5. Wadesboro
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.74
Women In Management: 24.1%
Women In Poverty: 37.9%
Women Uninsured: 10.7%
Wadesboro ranks fifth, where women face economic challenges despite slightly better opportunities than the top four cities.
6. Whiteville
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.62
Women In Management: 20.0%
Women In Poverty: 32.8%
Women Uninsured: 7.3%
Whiteville ranks sixth, with a significant percentage of women living in poverty and limited representation in management.
7. Dunn
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.62
Women In Management: 38.8%
Women In Poverty: 33.9%
Women Uninsured: 11.3%
Dunn is another city where women encounter significant hurdles, including high poverty rates and limited access to healthcare.
8. Roanoke Rapids
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.60
Women In Management: 31.3%
Women In Poverty: 24.8%
Women Uninsured: 9.7%
Roanoke Rapids presents challenges for women, with a significant portion living in poverty and earning less compared to their male counterparts.
9. Reidsville
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.68
Women In Management: 34.3%
Women In Poverty: 25.8%
Women Uninsured: 11.8%
In Reidsville, women face a challenging environment with a considerable earnings gap and a notable poverty rate among single women.
10. Sawmills
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.80
Women In Management: 9.8%
Women In Poverty: 21.5%
Women Uninsured: 14.9%
Sawmills ranks tenth, where women still confront notable challenges despite slightly improved statistics compared to the other cities on this list.
Summary On Worst Cities to Be A Woman In North Carolina
These cities represent the most significant challenges for women in North Carolina. While the landscape is changing, many women still face systemic obstacles in their communities. The disparities in earnings, representation, and healthcare access highlight the urgent need for ongoing efforts toward gender equality.
While Selma may rank as the most challenging city for women overall, individual experiences vary, underscoring the need for personalized support and advocacy in addressing these issues.
Explore our detailed list below to see how other cities in North Carolina measure up.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In North Carolina
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Selma | $0.71 |
| 2 | Lenoir | $0.68 |
| 3 | Lexington | $0.68 |
| 4 | Laurinburg | $0.62 |
| 5 | Wadesboro | $0.74 |
| 6 | Whiteville | $0.62 |
| 7 | Dunn | $0.62 |
| 8 | Roanoke Rapids | $0.60 |
| 9 | Reidsville | $0.68 |
| 10 | Sawmills | $0.80 |
| 11 | James City | $0.72 |
| 12 | Mocksville | $0.79 |
| 13 | Asheboro | $0.74 |
| 14 | Hope Mills | $0.59 |
| 15 | Angier | $0.68 |
| 16 | Monroe | $0.71 |
| 17 | Stokesdale | $0.59 |
| 18 | Lumberton | $0.75 |
| 19 | Henderson | $0.77 |
| 20 | Thomasville | $0.75 |
| 21 | Trinity | $0.71 |
| 22 | Clinton | $0.75 |
| 23 | Goldsboro | $0.64 |
| 24 | Roxboro | $0.79 |
| 25 | Albemarle | $0.62 |
| 26 | Wilmington | $0.67 |
| 27 | Graham | $0.67 |
| 28 | Statesville | $0.71 |
| 29 | Carolina Beach | $0.57 |
| 30 | Smithfield | $0.89 |
| 31 | Woodfin | $0.72 |
| 32 | Elizabeth City | $0.71 |
| 33 | Hampstead | $0.59 |
| 34 | Eden | $0.81 |
| 35 | Southern Pines | $0.51 |
| 36 | Shelby | $0.65 |
| 37 | Walkertown | $0.80 |
| 38 | High Point | $0.74 |
| 39 | Zebulon | $0.82 |
| 40 | Oxford | $0.71 |
| 41 | Morehead City | $0.74 |
| 42 | Greenville | $0.76 |
| 43 | Mooresville | $0.63 |
| 44 | Wilson | $0.76 |
| 45 | Boone | $0.68 |
| 46 | Nashville | $0.63 |
| 47 | Mount Holly | $0.74 |
| 48 | Waynesville | $0.60 |
| 49 | Mount Airy | $0.84 |
| 50 | Kinston | $0.73 |
| 51 | Sanford | $0.74 |
| 52 | Mint Hill | $0.74 |
| 53 | Marvin | $0.26 |
| 54 | Wesley Chapel | $0.51 |
| 55 | Harrisburg | $0.51 |
| 56 | Bessemer City | $0.83 |
| 57 | Morganton | $0.78 |
| 58 | Cornelius | $0.60 |
| 59 | Hamlet | $1.21 |
| 60 | Hickory | $0.72 |
| 61 | Salisbury | $0.79 |
| 62 | Lincolnton | $0.77 |
| 63 | Washington | $0.89 |
| 64 | Siler City | $0.80 |
| 65 | Burlington | $0.82 |
| 66 | Fuquay-Varina | $0.59 |
| 67 | Ayden | $0.99 |
| 68 | Rocky Mount | $0.75 |
| 69 | Stallings | $0.63 |
| 70 | Wake Forest | $0.57 |
| 71 | Butner | $0.79 |
| 72 | Winston-Salem | $0.83 |
| 73 | Forest City | $1.14 |
| 74 | Concord | $0.69 |
| 75 | Indian Trail | $0.67 |
| 76 | Williamston | $1.09 |
| 77 | Belmont | $0.72 |
| 78 | Spring Lake | $0.75 |
| 79 | Charlotte | $0.77 |
| 80 | Waxhaw | $0.45 |
| 81 | Morrisville | $0.59 |
| 82 | Boiling Spring Lakes | $0.66 |
| 83 | New Bern | $0.79 |
| 84 | Oak Ridge | $0.56 |
| 85 | Silver Lake | $0.84 |
| 86 | Weddington | $0.28 |
| 87 | Gastonia | $0.81 |
| 88 | Chapel Hill | $0.60 |
| 89 | Conover | $0.68 |
| 90 | Kannapolis | $0.84 |
| 91 | Fayetteville | $0.75 |
| 92 | Clemmons | $0.64 |
| 93 | Greensboro | $0.80 |
| 94 | Cary | $0.57 |
| 95 | Archdale | $0.78 |
| 96 | Half Moon | $0.61 |
| 97 | Lake Norman | $0.55 |
| 98 | Rolesville | $0.57 |
| 99 | Piney Green | $0.61 |
| 100 | Clayton | $0.90 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
