OK guys some defense from a North Carolinian. I don't have the exact facts but wages are probably below the Northeast and the West Coast but in the middle rung for the rest of the country and high for the Southeast. It's chief appeal is beautiful countryside, a moderate approach to most things and friendly folks. The far west and northeast parts of the state are mostly farming and hence lower income. Apple has chosen an area with lower land prices and lower labor costs but not a long way form Charlotte and other high tech areas like the Research Triangle (Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh-UNC,Duke, NC State etc.). They also probably like the fact that is is centrally located for the south and mid atlantic. NC is lately consistently in the top five states for people relocating to the state and for people on vacation. And as for beauty Here is a sunrise out my back door.
