Black Mountain is home to 8,513 people in North Carolina. At a median age of 58.4, this is an older place than the country as a whole. 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, against 36% nationally. The foreign-born share is 2%. The poverty rate is 5.9%, under the national 12.5%. Density works out to 1,269 people per square mile.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $77,042, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 58.4
US median: 38.9
More educated
56% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 102%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Black Mountain
What changed most since 1990
Median age40.1 → 58.4(+18.3 years)US over the same years: +6.0 years
Median home value (2024 dollars)$141,364 → $358,900(+154%)US over the same years: +67%
Adults with a bachelor's degree26.8% → 56.3%(+29.4 pts)US over the same years: +15.3 pts
Black Mountain's population equals 3.1% of Buncombe County's. Its number of foreign-born residents equals 1.1% of the county's. Its number of households without a car equals 8.3% of the county's.
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)8.9%(47)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)18.1%(96)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era48.1%(255)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War7%(37)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II1.5%(8)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 530 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Black Mountain, decade by decade
Black Mountain population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
5,418
$61,869
$141,364
26.8%
25.6
2000
7,511
$64,743
$177,794
29.4%
22.4
2010
7,848
$52,737
$263,834
35.1%
26.0
2020
8,426
$67,844
$285,435
57.1%
33.4
2024
8,513
$77,042
$358,900
56.3%
25.0
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in Black Mountain, North Carolina?
Black Mountain, North Carolina has about 8,513 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Black Mountain, North Carolina?
The typical household in Black Mountain, North Carolina earns about $77,042 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Black Mountain, North Carolina expensive?
In Black Mountain, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $358,900, and the typical rent is about $1,652 a month.
How educated are people in Black Mountain, North Carolina?
About 56.3% of adults age 25 and over in Black Mountain, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Black Mountain, North Carolina?
About 5.9% of people in Black Mountain, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.
Has Black Mountain, North Carolina grown since 1990?
Yes, Black Mountain, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,095 residents, a change of about 57 percent over that period.
