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CITY · 2020 ACS

Bryson City

North Carolina · 1,558 residents · 2.184 sq mi
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The short version

Bryson City has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $35,357. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $200,500. With a median age of 46.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 38% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 71%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,558
+10%since 2000
from 1,411 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
713 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 646 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.2
+1%since 2000
from 45.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K2K2K2K1990201020202024Bryson City
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,357
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,232 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,637
+57%since 2000
from $14,446 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
27.9%
+19.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.6%
−2.6 ptssince 2000
from 19.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Wholesale trade10.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Information5.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade2.8%
US avg: 10%
Other services2.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance1.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$200,500
+71%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $77,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$649
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $349 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
49.3%
−8.9 ptssince 2000
from 58.2% in 2000
50.7% rent
Afford Score
5.7
+69%since 2000
from 3.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bryson City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.2%(1,273)
Black1.6%(23)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(24)
Asian0.4%(5)
Other0%
Diversity Score9.5%(135)
2020
White, non-Hispanic81.1%(1,264)
Black3%(47)
Hispanic / Latino5.1%(79)
Asian0.6%(10)
Other8.2%(128)
Diversity Score38.1%(594)
Diversity Score
38
+300%since 2000
from 10 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.4%
+10.8 ptssince 2000
from 16.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
80.4%
+14.6 ptssince 2000
from 65.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.0%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.9 min
+59%since 2000
from 10.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 83.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
15.2%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.7%
−11.6 ptssince 2011
from 13.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.0%
+4.0 ptssince 2011
from 56.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
36.9%
−25.4 ptssince 2009
from 62.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.8% in 2009
Female
53.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 53.2% in 2009
Foreign born
11.1%
+7.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
20.7%
−60.1 ptssince 2013
from 80.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Bryson City to nearby cities

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Income$54,923+55%
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BRYSON CITY VS
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BRYSON CITY VS
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BRYSON CITY VS
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Home value$358,100+79%
Population32,442+2027%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Bryson City, North Carolina?

Bryson City, North Carolina has about 1,558 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Bryson City, North Carolina?

The typical household in Bryson City, North Carolina earns about $35,357 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bryson City, North Carolina expensive?

In Bryson City, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $200,500, and the typical rent is about $649 a month.

How educated are people in Bryson City, North Carolina?

About 27.4% of adults age 25 and over in Bryson City, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bryson City, North Carolina?

About 16.6% of people in Bryson City, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bryson City, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Bryson City, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 413 residents, a change of about 36 percent over that period.

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

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