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CITY · 2010 ACS

Sylva

North Carolina · 2,588 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 $32,682. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $106,300. The poverty rate of 24.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 28% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 36.4
US median: 37.2
Average education
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,588
+6%since 2000
from 2,435 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
816 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 768 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
36.4
−7%since 2000
from 39.0 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K3K3K4K1990201020202024Sylva
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,682
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,432 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,494
+1%since 2000
from $17,348 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
9.0%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
24.7%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 19.6% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.419
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Wholesale trade9.5%
US avg: 7.2%
Retail trade7.1%
US avg: 10.9%
Information4.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services1.7%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance1.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration0.9%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2.4%
Professional, scientific, technical0.7%
US avg: 4.2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 3.1%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$106,300
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $81,500 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$658
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $428 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
22.7%
−31.2 ptssince 2000
from 53.9% in 2000
51.1% rent
Vacancy rate
13.1%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
18.6%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.5%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 39.7% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.3
+5%since 2000
from 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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic82.5%(2,136)
Black2.7%(71)
Hispanic / Latino9%(234)
Asian1.8%(46)
Other6.5%(167)
Diversity Score42.4%(1,098)
Diversity Score
42
+106%since 2000
from 21 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.4%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 23.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
76.3%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 72.4% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
11.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.6 min
+70%since 2000
from 13.3 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
77.4%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 80.3% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
17.5%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
1.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
2.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
11.4%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
17.3%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 20.1% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
27.4%
−40.6 ptssince 2009
from 68.1% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.7%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Female
55.3%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Foreign born
4.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
9.5%
−37.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Sylva

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Pop 2,767
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Pop 2,683
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Pop 2,448
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Pop 2,599
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Compare Sylva to nearby cities

SYLVA VS
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Income$54,923+68%
Home value$281,700+165%
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SYLVA VS
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Home value$450,000+323%
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SYLVA VS
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Home value$366,700+245%
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SYLVA VS
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Home value$440,000+314%
Population93,523+3375%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Sylva, North Carolina?

Sylva, North Carolina has about 2,588 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Sylva, North Carolina earns about $32,682 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 $106,300, and the typical rent is about $658 a month.

How educated are people in Sylva, North Carolina?

About 25.4% 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 24.7% 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 779 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

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