About North Carolina Tracking Program

Nov. 29, 2023

The North Carolina (NC) Tracking Program’s mission is to empower communities by providing data and context to inform data driven policies, funding, and solutions to build a healthier and more equitable environment for all North Carolinians.

Background

North Carolina has experienced rapid population growth over the past 30 years. According to the U.S. Census, the state population grew from 6.7 million in 1990 to 10.4 million in 2020.

North Carolina has several diverse ecosystems. These different locations attract tourists and retirees alike. Unfortunately, these ecosystems and the people who live in them are threatened by flooding, hurricanes, extreme heat, and wildfires.

Education, science, and technology are among the largest industries in North Carolina. Manufacturing and retail follow closely. Animal production and agriculture also remain economically important. An estimated 9 million hogs and 961 million chickens were raised in North Carolina in 2020.

Accomplishments

Identifying Communities at Risk of Private Well Water Contamination

In 2025, North Carolina Environmental Public Health Tracking (NCEPHT) and partners launched the NC Private Well Water StoryMap. This tool makes data about well testing in North Carolina available for the first time. It also summarizes results by county and provides clear resources on testing and treatment. Residents can quickly find local testing information and learn how to protect their private well water.

Using StoryMap data, NCEPHT identified contamination risks in Sampson and Alamance counties. In response, over 600 water pitchers and replacement filters were distributed with help from community and tribal partners. Households also received educational materials about water filters and safe well practices. This project highlights NCEPHT's commitment to turning data into public health action.

Unique Data

All state and local tracking programs collect and display a set of standard data. But individual programs may host other data that are important to their populations. NC Tracking hosts data on climate, social determinants of health, chemical and other toxic incidents, and carbon monoxide poisoning.