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CITY · 2020 ACS

Sylva

North Carolina · 2,578 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 $36,637. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $162,900. The poverty rate of 22.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 35% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 37.1
US median: 38.8
More educated
39% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 33%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,578
+6%since 2000
from 2,435 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
813 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 768 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.1
−5%since 2000
from 39.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K3K3K4K1990201020202024Sylva
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,637
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,432 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,884
+20%since 2000
from $17,348 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
18.1%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
22.4%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 19.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Other services7.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction5%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade4.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Information3.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Arts, entertainment, food3.1%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance1.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Retail trade1.1%
US avg: 10%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Professional, scientific, technical0.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration0.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$162,900
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $81,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$753
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $428 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
44.8%
−9.1 ptssince 2000
from 53.9% in 2000
55.2% rent
Afford Score
4.4
+44%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic73.8%(1,902)
Black3.4%(87)
Hispanic / Latino13%(336)
Asian2.8%(72)
Other15.2%(391)
Diversity Score62.3%(1,607)
Diversity Score
62
+202%since 2000
from 21 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
39.1%
+15.3 ptssince 2000
from 23.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
80.6%
+8.2 ptssince 2000
from 72.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
14.3%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.4 min
+91%since 2000
from 13.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
73.8%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 80.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
14.8%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
10.0%
+6.4 ptssince 2011
from 3.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
74.6%
+13.1 ptssince 2011
from 61.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.7%
−41.4 ptssince 2009
from 68.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.6%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Female
53.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Foreign born
10.9%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
28.2%
−53.6 ptssince 2013
from 81.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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SYLVA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Sylva, North Carolina?

Sylva, North Carolina has about 2,578 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Sylva, North Carolina earns about $36,637 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 $162,900, and the typical rent is about $753 a month.

How educated are people in Sylva, North Carolina?

About 39.1% 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 22.4% 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 769 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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