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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Sylva

North Carolina · 1,809 residents · 3.172 sq mi
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The short version

Sylva has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $17,232. Population has fallen 26% since 2000, a loss of 626 residents. Median home value is $55,100. With a median age of 43.0, the population is older than the US median of 33.0. Households here earn about 35% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Older
median age 43.0
US median: 33.0
Average education
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 11%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

1,809
−26%vs 2000
vs 2,435 in 2000
1990 – 2025
570 / sq mi
−26%vs 2000
vs 768 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
43.0
+10%vs 2000
vs 39.0 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 19902024
2K2K3K3K4K1990201020202024Sylva
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$17,232
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $26,432 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
$10,712
−38%vs 2000
vs $17,348 in 2000
US average: $14,340
17.6%
−2.0 ptsvs 2000
vs 19.6% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

$55,100
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $81,500 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
$302
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $428 in 2000
US average: $450
63.7%
+9.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 53.9% in 2000
36.3% rent
3.2
+4%vs 2000
vs 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sylva on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic87.7%(2,136)
Black4.6%(113)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(61)
Asian1.3%(32)
Other0%
Diversity Score20.6%(502)
1990
White, non-Hispanic92%(1,664)
Black5.9%(107)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(8)
Asian0.2%(3)
Other1.9%(35)
Diversity Score19.7%(356)
20
−5%vs 2000
vs 21 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

17.3%
−6.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 23.8% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
62.5%
−9.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 72.4% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
7.5%
−3.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 11.2% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

13.0 min
−2%vs 2000
vs 13.3 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Sylva, North Carolina?

Sylva, North Carolina has about 1,809 residents according to the 1990 Census.

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

The typical household in Sylva, North Carolina earns about $17,232 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sylva, North Carolina expensive?

In Sylva, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $55,100, and the typical rent is about $302 a month.

How educated are people in Sylva, North Carolina?

About 17.3% of adults age 25 and over in Sylva, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sylva, North Carolina?

About 17.6% of people in Sylva, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

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

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