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CITY

Blowing Rock

North Carolina · 1,324 residents (2025 est.) · 3.242 sq mi
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The short version

Blowing Rock is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $120,938. Population has fallen 30% since 2000, a loss of 426 residents. 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $705,000. With a median age of 59.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 59.7
US median: 38.9
More educated
64% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 54%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
992
−30%since 2000
from 1,418 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
306 / sq mi
−30%since 2000
from 437 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
59.7
+18%since 2000
from 50.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,324 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7919621K1K1K1990201020202024Blowing Rock
2024992
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$120,938
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,271 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$71,169
+108%since 2000
from $34,294 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
71.5%
+34.2 ptssince 2009
from 37.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
2.4%
−6.7 ptssince 2000
from 9.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.381
−30%since 2010
from 0.541 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services23.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration11.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Information7.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Transportation & warehousing7.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Retail trade6.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$705,000
+54%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $250,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,278
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $660 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
83.3%
+10.7 ptssince 2000
from 72.5% in 2000
16.7% rent
Vacancy rate
74.9%
+11.0 ptssince 2009
from 63.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
15.1%
−16.0 ptssince 2009
from 31.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
27.2%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 30.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.8
+26%since 2000
from 4.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
76
RELATED:See current rent listings in Blowing Rock on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.5%(1,382)
Black0.4%(5)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(9)
Asian0.4%(5)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.4%(48)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.5%(928)
Black2.1%(21)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.3%(43)
Diversity Score15.3%(152)
Diversity Score
15
+356%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
64.2%
+17.1 ptssince 2000
from 47.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.7%
+9.1 ptssince 2000
from 88.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
28.5%
+12.4 ptssince 2000
from 16.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.1 min
+64%since 2000
from 13.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.4%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 80.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.4%
−7.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
17.5%
+8.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
2.7%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.9%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.4%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 1.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.0%
+2.6 ptssince 2011
from 57.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
2.2%
−7.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
57.3%
−15.8 ptssince 2009
from 73.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.5%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 41.7% in 2009
Female
54.5%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 58.3% in 2009
Foreign born
2.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.6%
−39.3 ptssince 2009
from 41.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
8.3%
−2.9 ptssince 2012
from 11.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.9%
−87.7 ptssince 2013
from 90.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.4%
+13.5 ptssince 2017
from 80.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 99.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Blowing Rock, North Carolina?

Blowing Rock, North Carolina has about 992 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Blowing Rock, North Carolina?

The typical household in Blowing Rock, North Carolina earns about $120,938 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Blowing Rock, North Carolina expensive?

In Blowing Rock, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $705,000, and the typical rent is about $1,278 a month.

How educated are people in Blowing Rock, North Carolina?

About 64.2% of adults age 25 and over in Blowing Rock, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Blowing Rock, North Carolina?

About 2.4% of people in Blowing Rock, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Blowing Rock, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Blowing Rock, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 256 residents, a change of about -21 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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