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CITY

Boone

North Carolina · 19,929 residents (2025 est.) · 6.383 sq mi
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#46Youngest by median ageof 6,82621.3#336Shortest commutesof 6,82615.8
The short version

Boone has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $30,065. Population has grown 49% since 2000. 57% 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 $411,100. At a median age of 21.3, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 58% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 21.3
US median: 38.9
More educated
57% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 69%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,032
+49%since 2000
from 13,472 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,138 / sq mi
+49%since 2000
from 2,111 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
21.3
Unchangedsince 2000
from 21.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:19,929 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
12K14K16K19K21K1990201020202024Boone
202420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$30,065
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,541 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,773
+45%since 2000
from $12,256 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
20.8%
+8.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
51.2%
+14.2 ptssince 2000
from 37.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.569
+4%since 2010
from 0.547 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information20.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade3.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade2.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services2.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance1.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration0.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$411,100
+69%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $133,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,111
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $533 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
26.2%
−3.3 ptssince 2000
from 29.5% in 2000
73.8% rent
Vacancy rate
14.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.6%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 28.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
74.2%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 80.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
13.7
+111%since 2000
from 6.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
59
RELATED:See current rent listings in Boone on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.9%(12,518)
Black3.4%(456)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(221)
Asian1.2%(160)
Other0%
Diversity Score15%(2,018)
2024
White, non-Hispanic83.7%(16,774)
Black3.5%(699)
Hispanic / Latino7.7%(1,551)
Asian1.8%(364)
Other3.2%(644)
Diversity Score36.3%(7,268)
Diversity Score
36
+142%since 2000
from 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
56.8%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 46.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.3%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 86.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
30.3%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 23.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.8 min
+68%since 2000
from 9.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
63.7%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 61.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.1%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
4.2%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.1%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
13.2%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.6%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2011
from 12.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2011
from 55.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.7%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 18.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.3%
−29.0 ptssince 2009
from 62.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
51.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
4.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
1.2%
−47.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.7%
+6.4 ptssince 2012
from 5.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.9%
−84.7 ptssince 2013
from 91.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.5%
+10.5 ptssince 2017
from 77.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.3%
−2.7 ptssince 2016
from 95.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2016
from 2.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Boone, North Carolina?

Boone, North Carolina has about 20,032 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Boone, North Carolina?

The typical household in Boone, North Carolina earns about $30,065 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Boone, North Carolina expensive?

In Boone, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $411,100, and the typical rent is about $1,111 a month.

How educated are people in Boone, North Carolina?

About 56.8% of adults age 25 and over in Boone, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Boone, North Carolina?

About 51.2% of people in Boone, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Boone, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Boone, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 7,117 residents, a change of about 55 percent over that period.

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

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