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CITY · 2020 ACS

Jefferson

North Carolina · 1,622 residents · 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 $30,764. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $160,900. With a median age of 44.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 46% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 44.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,622
+14%since 2000
from 1,422 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
768 / sq mi
+14%since 2000
from 673 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.8
−13%since 2000
from 51.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K2K2K2K1990201020202024Jefferson
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$30,764
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,847 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,862
+22%since 2000
from $15,505 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
14.6%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
31.2%
+15.9 ptssince 2000
from 15.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Agriculture, forestry, fishing12.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction12.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade11.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services11.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration11.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Information10%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7.2%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance0.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.2%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$160,900
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $93,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$565
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $303 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
47.7%
−13.1 ptssince 2000
from 60.8% in 2000
52.3% rent
Afford Score
5.2
+28%since 2000
from 4.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic87.3%(1,416)
Black1.1%(18)
Hispanic / Latino7.4%(120)
Asian0.8%(13)
Other3.6%(58)
Diversity Score29.3%(475)
Diversity Score
29
+122%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 11.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
85.7%
+23.6 ptssince 2000
from 62.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 2.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.2 min
−12%since 2000
from 15.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.2%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 81.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
15.1%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.1%
−13.6 ptssince 2011
from 18.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
49.2%
+6.7 ptssince 2011
from 42.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
22.5%
−40.3 ptssince 2009
from 62.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.3%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 38.0% in 2009
Female
53.7%
−8.3 ptssince 2009
from 62.0% in 2009
Foreign born
5.8%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
18.6%
−64.6 ptssince 2013
from 83.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Jefferson to nearby cities

JEFFERSON VS
Boone
Income$30,065−2%
Home value$411,100+156%
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JEFFERSON VS
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Income$54,544+77%
Home value$228,000+42%
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JEFFERSON VS
Lenoir
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Home value$179,400+11%
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JEFFERSON VS
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Income$50,404+64%
Home value$184,100+14%
Population16,418+877%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Jefferson, North Carolina?

Jefferson, North Carolina has about 1,622 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Jefferson, North Carolina earns about $30,764 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 $160,900, and the typical rent is about $565 a month.

How educated are people in Jefferson, North Carolina?

About 13.7% 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 31.2% 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 322 residents, a change of about 25 percent over that period.

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

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