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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Sylva

North Carolina · 2,435 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 $26,432. Population has grown 35% since 1990. Median home value is $81,500. Households here earn about 33% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 39.0
US median: 35.2
Average education
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,435
+35%since 1990
from 1,809 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
768 / sq mi
+35%since 1990
from 570 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
39.0
−9%since 1990
from 43.0 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K3K3K4K1990201020202024Sylva
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$26,432
+16%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $17,232 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,348
+62%since 1990
from $10,712 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
19.6%
+2.0 ptssince 1990
from 17.6% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$81,500
+12%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $55,100 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$428
+8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $302 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
53.9%
−9.8 ptssince 1990
from 63.7% in 1990
46.1% rent
Afford Score
3.1
−4%since 1990
from 3.2 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sylva on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

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

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.8%
+6.5 ptssince 1990
from 17.3% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
72.4%
+9.9 ptssince 1990
from 62.5% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
11.2%
+3.7 ptssince 1990
from 7.5% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.3 min
+2%since 1990
from 13.0 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Sylva

Monticello
Pop 2,767
Cleveland
Pop 2,683
Bowling Green
Pop 2,448
Lake Placid
Pop 2,599
Places similar to Sylva
Head to head

Compare Sylva to nearby cities

SYLVA VS
Waynesville
Income$54,923+108%
Home value$281,700+246%
Population11,006+309%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SYLVA VS
Brevard
Income$54,103+105%
Home value$450,000+452%
Population8,098+201%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SYLVA VS
Woodfin
Income$71,384+170%
Home value$366,700+350%
Population8,229+206%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SYLVA VS
Asheville
Income$71,102+169%
Home value$440,000+440%
Population93,523+3375%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sylva, North Carolina?

Sylva, North Carolina has about 2,435 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Sylva, North Carolina earns about $26,432 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 $81,500, and the typical rent is about $428 a month.

How educated are people in Sylva, North Carolina?

About 23.8% 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 19.6% of people in Sylva, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sylva, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Sylva, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 626 residents, a change of about 35 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 →