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CITY

West Jefferson

North Carolina · 1,348 residents (2025 est.) · 2.152 sq mi
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The short version

West Jefferson has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $46,827. Population has grown 33% since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $232,400. The poverty rate of 20.8% 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: $82,259
Older
median age 43.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 51%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,436
+33%since 2000
from 1,081 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
667 / sq mi
+33%since 2000
from 502 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.4
+1%since 2000
from 43.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,348 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
9461K1K1K2K1990201020202024West Jefferson
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,827
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,479 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,923
+41%since 2000
from $19,799 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
36.3%
+15.2 ptssince 2009
from 21.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
20.8%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 18.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.477
−10%since 2010
from 0.530 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information20.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services9.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade8.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade5.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction5%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance0.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing0.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$232,400
+51%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $84,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$484
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $339 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
54.4%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 49.5% in 2000
45.6% rent
Vacancy rate
26.0%
+11.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
8.3%
−13.9 ptssince 2009
from 22.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
31.7%
−30.0 ptssince 2009
from 61.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.0
+44%since 2000
from 3.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
65
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Jefferson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.9%(1,004)
Black0.4%(4)
Hispanic / Latino5.3%(57)
Asian0.3%(3)
Other0%
Diversity Score14.2%(153)
2024
White, non-Hispanic78.3%(1,125)
Black4.7%(67)
Hispanic / Latino12%(172)
Asian0%(0)
Other5%(72)
Diversity Score45.9%(659)
Diversity Score
46
+224%since 2000
from 14 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.2%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 13.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
84.9%
+14.8 ptssince 2000
from 70.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.0%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.5 min
Unchangedsince 2000
from 15.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.3%
−14.6 ptssince 2009
from 90.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.6%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.1%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.0%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.1%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.7%
−5.2 ptssince 2011
from 18.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.2%
−1.5 ptssince 2011
from 55.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
6.4%
−7.1 ptssince 2009
from 13.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
23.8%
−39.9 ptssince 2009
from 63.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.4%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Female
53.6%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Foreign born
7.3%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.2%
−45.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.6%
−5.3 ptssince 2012
from 22.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
15.1%
−63.1 ptssince 2013
from 78.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
78.3%
+6.3 ptssince 2017
from 72.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.1%
−2.1 ptssince 2016
from 94.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
7.9%
+2.1 ptssince 2016
from 5.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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WEST JEFFERSON VS
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WEST JEFFERSON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in West Jefferson, North Carolina?

West Jefferson, North Carolina has about 1,436 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in West Jefferson, North Carolina?

The typical household in West Jefferson, North Carolina earns about $46,827 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Jefferson, North Carolina expensive?

In West Jefferson, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $232,400, and the typical rent is about $484 a month.

How educated are people in West Jefferson, North Carolina?

About 22.2% of adults age 25 and over in West Jefferson, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Jefferson, North Carolina?

About 20.8% of people in West Jefferson, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Jefferson, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, West Jefferson, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 434 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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