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CITY · 2020 ACS

Boone

North Carolina · 19,092 residents · 6.383 sq mi
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The short version

Boone has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $25,535. Population has grown 42% since 2000. 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $279,400. At a median age of 21.6, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 55% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 21.6
US median: 38.8
More educated
48% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 40%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,092
+42%since 2000
from 13,472 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,991 / sq mi
+42%since 2000
from 2,111 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
21.6
+1%since 2000
from 21.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
12K14K16K19K21K1990201020202024Boone
202420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$25,535
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,541 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,241
+33%since 2000
from $12,256 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
17.5%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
52.7%
+15.7 ptssince 2000
from 37.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information15%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services4.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade3.8%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Wholesale trade1.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Public administration1.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance1.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$279,400
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $133,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$952
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $533 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
20.8%
−8.7 ptssince 2000
from 29.5% in 2000
79.2% rent
Afford Score
10.9
+69%since 2000
from 6.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic71.8%(13,701)
Black9.3%(1,783)
Hispanic / Latino9.3%(1,771)
Asian3.4%(645)
Other2%(389)
Diversity Score52.3%(9,981)
Diversity Score
52
+249%since 2000
from 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
48.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 46.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 86.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
24.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 23.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.7 min
+46%since 2000
from 9.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
62.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 61.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.3%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
16.6%
+4.2 ptssince 2011
from 12.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
54.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2011
from 55.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.7%
−30.6 ptssince 2009
from 62.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
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
3.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.1%
−85.5 ptssince 2013
from 91.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Boone to nearby cities

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BOONE VS
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BOONE VS
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BOONE VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Boone, North Carolina?

Boone, North Carolina has about 19,092 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Boone, North Carolina earns about $25,535 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 $279,400, and the typical rent is about $952 a month.

How educated are people in Boone, North Carolina?

About 48.1% 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 52.7% 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 6,177 residents, a change of about 48 percent over that period.

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

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