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CITY

Waynesville

North Carolina · 11,006 residents (2025 est.) · 8.935 sq mi
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The short version

Waynesville has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $54,923. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $281,700. With a median age of 46.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 46.0
US median: 38.9
Average education
33% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 82%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
10,502
+14%since 2000
from 9,232 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,175 / sq mi
+14%since 2000
from 1,033 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
46.0
+5%since 2000
from 44.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:11,006 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6K8K9K10K11K1990201020202024Waynesville
202411K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$54,923
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,296 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,050
+108%since 2000
from $17,821 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
39.4%
+20.3 ptssince 2009
from 19.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 15.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.472
−4%since 2010
from 0.494 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade7.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade6.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration1.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$281,700
+82%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $85,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,070
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $432 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
57.3%
−8.1 ptssince 2000
from 65.4% in 2000
42.7% rent
Vacancy rate
16.9%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
28.9%
+9.0 ptssince 2009
from 19.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
49.7%
+9.0 ptssince 2009
from 40.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.1
+71%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
72
RELATED:See current rent listings in Waynesville on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.3%(8,611)
Black3.3%(306)
Hispanic / Latino2%(186)
Asian0.2%(15)
Other0%
Diversity Score13.3%(1,230)
2024
White, non-Hispanic87.7%(9,211)
Black1.3%(141)
Hispanic / Latino6.6%(697)
Asian0.2%(26)
Other4.1%(427)
Diversity Score28.1%(2,947)
Diversity Score
28
+111%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.9%
+15.8 ptssince 2000
from 17.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
87.3%
+14.5 ptssince 2000
from 72.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.9%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.7 min
+51%since 2000
from 13.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
70.0%
−17.3 ptssince 2009
from 87.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.7%
+8.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.4%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.9%
−7.4 ptssince 2011
from 9.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.8%
+4.9 ptssince 2011
from 52.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.9%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
42.8%
−18.6 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
Female
51.9%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
Foreign born
5.8%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.3%
−36.4 ptssince 2009
from 46.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
21.9%
+3.4 ptssince 2012
from 18.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
15.3%
−64.1 ptssince 2013
from 79.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.5%
+22.4 ptssince 2017
from 62.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.6%
−2.8 ptssince 2016
from 96.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.3%
+3.2 ptssince 2016
from 2.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Waynesville to nearby cities

WAYNESVILLE VS
Brevard
Income$54,103−1%
Home value$450,000+60%
Population8,098−26%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAYNESVILLE VS
Woodfin
Income$71,384+30%
Home value$366,700+30%
Population8,229−25%
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WAYNESVILLE VS
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Income$71,102+29%
Home value$440,000+56%
Population93,523+750%
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WAYNESVILLE VS
Fletcher
Income$75,272+37%
Home value$331,100+18%
Population8,373−24%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Waynesville, North Carolina?

Waynesville, North Carolina has about 10,502 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Waynesville, North Carolina earns about $54,923 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Waynesville, North Carolina expensive?

In Waynesville, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $281,700, and the typical rent is about $1,070 a month.

How educated are people in Waynesville, North Carolina?

About 32.9% of adults age 25 and over in Waynesville, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Waynesville, North Carolina?

About 15.9% of people in Waynesville, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Waynesville, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Waynesville, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,683 residents, a change of about 54 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 →