COMPARING TWO PLACES
Caldwell County vs Watauga County
PLACE A
Caldwell County, Kentucky
VS
PLACE B
Watauga County, North Carolina
Caldwell County is 77% smaller than Watauga County. Caldwell County earns more, with a median household income $7,890 higher. Watauga County has grown faster since 2000 (6% vs -3%).
CALDWELL COUNTYWATAUGA COUNTYDIFFERENCE
Total population12,60954,786−77% vs Watauga County
Population density37175−139
Population growth-2.6%5.9%−8.5 pts
Median age42.431.4+11.0
Male49.3%49.9%−0.6 pts
Female50.7%50.1%+0.6 pts
Foreign-born1.2%3.5%−2.3 pts
White, non-Hispanic89.7%88.5%+1.3 pts
Black6.0%1.6%+4.4 pts
Hispanic / Latino1.5%6.2%−4.7 pts
Asian0.0%0.9%−0.9 pts
Other2.8%2.9%−0.1 pts
Median household income$59,583$51,693+$7,890
Per capita income$30,830$34,167−$3,337
Poverty rate15.1%25.5%−10.3 pts
Income inequality (Gini)0.4280.539−0.1
Bachelor's degree or higher17.1%48.1%−31.0 pts
Graduate degree6.9%21.7%−14.9 pts
Unemployment rate4.4%7.9%−3.5 pts
Labor force participation56.0%59.0%−3.0 pts
Median home value$118,500$358,900−$240,400
Median gross rent$767$1,127−$360
Owner-occupied70.2%62.1%+8.1 pts
Housing vacancy rate17.1%36.4%−19.3 pts
Rent-burdened households36.7%58.7%−22.0 pts
Average commute24.421.2+3.2
Worked from home4.0%10.4%−6.4 pts
Public transit to work0.0%1.7%−1.7 pts
Uninsured8.2%9.3%−1.1 pts
Population, 1990 – 2025