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CITY · 2020 ACS

West Jefferson

North Carolina · 1,279 residents · 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 $32,273. Population has grown 18% since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $144,700. With a median age of 50.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 43% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 50.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,279
+18%since 2000
from 1,081 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
594 / sq mi
+18%since 2000
from 502 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
50.7
+18%since 2000
from 43.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
9461K1K1K2K1990201020202024West Jefferson
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,273
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,479 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,521
−6%since 2000
from $19,799 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
19.8%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 21.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.3%
−2.6 ptssince 2000
from 18.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information18.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing8.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction8.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade6.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade4.8%
US avg: 10%
Arts, entertainment, food3.1%
US avg: 2%
Other services3.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance1.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$144,700
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $84,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$566
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $339 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
46.5%
−3.0 ptssince 2000
from 49.5% in 2000
53.5% rent
Afford Score
4.5
+30%since 2000
from 3.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic84.4%(1,079)
Black1.4%(18)
Hispanic / Latino10.9%(139)
Asian0.8%(10)
Other3.4%(43)
Diversity Score35.8%(458)
Diversity Score
36
+153%since 2000
from 14 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.1%
−1.2 ptssince 2000
from 13.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
82.6%
+12.5 ptssince 2000
from 70.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.8 min
+29%since 2000
from 15.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
75.3%
−15.6 ptssince 2009
from 90.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
11.4%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.4%
−5.5 ptssince 2011
from 18.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.9%
+7.2 ptssince 2011
from 55.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
24.6%
−39.1 ptssince 2009
from 63.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.1%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Female
55.9%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Foreign born
5.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
13.3%
−64.9 ptssince 2013
from 78.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare West Jefferson to nearby cities

WEST JEFFERSON VS
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WEST JEFFERSON VS
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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 1,279 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in West Jefferson, North Carolina earns about $32,273 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 $144,700, and the typical rent is about $566 a month.

How educated are people in West Jefferson, North Carolina?

About 12.1% 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 16.3% 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 277 residents, a change of about 28 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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