Definition

Percent of infants born weighing less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces) at birth. Births are classified according to mother's race and ethnicity.

Starting in 2014, the percentage of babies born with low birth weight was recalculated for each race and ethnicity. Prior to 2014, the percentage for each race was determined by dividing the number of low-birthweight babies within that race by the total number of births. In contrast, the revised methodology calculates race-specific percentages by dividing the number of low-birthweight babies within each race by the total number of births within that specific race.

Therefore, data from 2014 onward is not comparable to previous years.

Data Source

NCDHHS: NC Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Statistics

Notes

Data accessed November, 2025

Last Updated

2025-11