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CITY

Jefferson

North Carolina · 1,680 residents (2025 est.) · 2.113 sq mi
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The short version

Jefferson has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $40,590. Population has grown 31% since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $236,000. The poverty rate of 22.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 44% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 39%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,864
+31%since 2000
from 1,422 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
882 / sq mi
+31%since 2000
from 673 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.6
−19%since 2000
from 51.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,680 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K2K2K2K1990201020202024Jefferson
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,590
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,847 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,347
+44%since 2000
from $15,505 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
25.3%
+14.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
22.9%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 15.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.419
−16%since 2010
from 0.496 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade15.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade14.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing9.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction9.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services8.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food5.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration0.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$236,000
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $93,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$748
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $303 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
44.9%
−15.9 ptssince 2000
from 60.8% in 2000
55.1% rent
Vacancy rate
11.6%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.4%
−22.2 ptssince 2009
from 35.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.0%
−17.2 ptssince 2009
from 59.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.8
+43%since 2000
from 4.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
51
RELATED:See current rent listings in Jefferson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.2%(1,340)
Black1.4%(20)
Hispanic / Latino3.7%(53)
Asian0.4%(5)
Other0%
Diversity Score13.2%(187)
2024
White, non-Hispanic89.8%(1,674)
Black1%(18)
Hispanic / Latino7.8%(145)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.4%(27)
Diversity Score23.4%(436)
Diversity Score
23
+78%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 11.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.4%
+23.3 ptssince 2000
from 62.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.5%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 2.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.7 min
+32%since 2000
from 15.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.1%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 81.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.9%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 13.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
9.3%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.3%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.5%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.5%
−16.2 ptssince 2011
from 18.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
47.7%
+5.2 ptssince 2011
from 42.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.0%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
26.3%
−36.5 ptssince 2009
from 62.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.0%
+9.9 ptssince 2009
from 38.0% in 2009
Female
52.0%
−9.9 ptssince 2009
from 62.0% in 2009
Foreign born
6.1%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.9%
−32.3 ptssince 2009
from 36.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.4%
−6.5 ptssince 2012
from 24.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
12.4%
−70.8 ptssince 2013
from 83.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.0%
+18.4 ptssince 2017
from 63.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.8%
−2.1 ptssince 2016
from 94.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.9%
+3.8 ptssince 2016
from 3.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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JEFFERSON VS
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JEFFERSON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Jefferson, North Carolina?

Jefferson, North Carolina has about 1,864 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Jefferson, North Carolina earns about $40,590 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Jefferson, North Carolina expensive?

In Jefferson, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $236,000, and the typical rent is about $748 a month.

How educated are people in Jefferson, North Carolina?

About 11.9% of adults age 25 and over in Jefferson, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Jefferson, North Carolina?

About 22.9% of people in Jefferson, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Jefferson, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Jefferson, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 564 residents, a change of about 43 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →