Identifiers: city · town · CDP
| Rank | Community | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morganton (city), NC | 17,474 |
| 2 | Black Mountain (town), NC | 8,426 |
| 3 | Marion (city), NC | 7,717 |
| 4 | Swannanoa (CDP), NC | 5,021 |
| 5 | Rutherfordton (town), NC | 3,640 |
| 6 | Salem (CDP), NC | 2,356 |
| 7 | Nebo (CDP), NC | 1,790 |
| 8 | Glen Alpine (town), NC | 1,529 |
| 9 | West Marion (CDP), NC | 1,226 |
| 10 | Montreat (town), NC | 901 |
| 11 | Old Fort (town), NC | 811 |
| 12 | Glenwood (CDP), NC | 501 |
| 13 | Ruth (town), NC | 347 |