An estimated 1,324,353 people in North Carolina live with migraine.

Based on U.S. Census ACS 2023 population data and Burch et al. (2021) migraine-specific prevalence rates.

Census ACS 2023 · Burch et al. (2021) · CC BY 4.0

Patient Population by Care Level

How many patients need each level of care.

60,368
need specialist or headache program care
Complexity Levels 1–2*
224,375
need neurology-level care
Complexity Levels 3–4*
1,039,618
appropriate for primary care
Complexity Level 5*

* Care level estimates are based on a proposed patient complexity framework offered as a basis for clinical and policy discussion. See methodology →

By Congressional District

14 congressional districts in North Carolina

DistrictTotal patientsSpecialist care*Neurology care*Primary care*
NC-02112,6425,13119,08288,427
NC-12102,4284,67117,35580,406
NC-10102,2064,65717,31780,232
NC-1497,9334,46616,59176,878
NC-0597,3294,43416,49076,395
NC-0497,1984,43216,46876,301
NC-0394,6124,31616,02974,273
NC-1193,0324,23815,76173,031
NC-0992,7134,22615,70572,783
NC-0790,3984,12315,31370,959
NC-0688,8554,05115,05269,750
NC-0188,3344,02614,96769,341
NC-0886,2083,92814,60967,677
NC-1380,4653,66913,63663,165

* Care level estimates are based on a proposed patient complexity framework offered as a basis for clinical and policy discussion. See methodology →

Headache Centers & Programs

3 headache centers and programs in North Carolina

Headache Centers — Level 1

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist — Comprehensive Headache Program

Winston Salem, NC

10 providers · 4 UCNS-certified

www.wakehealth.edu/specialty/n/neurology

Headache Programs — Level 2

Carolina Headache Institute

Durham, NC

6 providers · 4 UCNS-certified

carolinaheadache.com

Novant Health Neurology & Headache - SouthPark

Charlotte, NC

5 providers · 0 UCNS-certified

www.novanthealth.org/find-a-doctor/conditions/headache-migraine

Provider counts reflect headache program providers only — not all neurologists at the same address. UCNS certification verified against the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties diplomate directory.

More Data Coming

Building a complete picture.

Coming September 2026

Payer Policy Data

What insurers in North Carolina require before authorizing CGRP-targeting therapies — step therapy requirements, formulary placements, and Gold Card law status.

Coming Fall 2026

Prescribing Gap Analysis

How many primary care physicians actively treating migraine patients in North Carolina have never prescribed a CGRP-targeting therapy — by metro area and congressional district.

Doty A. North Carolina Headache Disorder Population Estimates. The Headache Vault; 2026. headachevault.com/research/states/north-carolina Licensed CC BY 4.0.
✓ CC BY 4.0
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