CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Ashe County

North Carolina · 26,577 residents · 426.264 sq mi
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The short version

Ashe County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,030. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $158,200. With a median age of 50.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 50.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
20% 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
26,577
+9%since 2000
from 24,384 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
62 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 57 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
50.0
+19%since 2000
from 42.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
22K23K25K26K28K1990201020202024Ashe County
202427K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,030
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,824 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,282
+54%since 2000
from $16,429 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
24.7%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade12.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade11.5%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction4.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services4.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.6%
US avg: 2%
Professional, scientific, technical2.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$158,200
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $86,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$657
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $375 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
76.9%
−4.1 ptssince 2000
from 81.0% in 2000
23.1% rent
Afford Score
3.7
+22%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ashe County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.1%(23,440)
Black0.6%(155)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(590)
Asian0.2%(57)
Other0%
Diversity Score8.1%(1,964)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic90.4%(24,028)
Black0.5%(125)
Hispanic / Latino5.7%(1,519)
Asian0.4%(102)
Other1.3%(344)
Diversity Score18.8%(4,986)
Segregation Score18.7%(4,978)
Diversity Score
19
+133%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
19
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.0%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.3%
+17.7 ptssince 2000
from 68.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.5%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.3 min
+38%since 2000
from 18.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 79.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.6%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.4%
−5.7 ptssince 2011
from 10.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
56.6%
−2.9 ptssince 2011
from 59.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.1%
−29.4 ptssince 2009
from 57.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
50.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
3.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.3%
−70.6 ptssince 2013
from 81.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Ashe County

Fannin County
Pop 26,111
Washington County
Pop 26,695
Upson County
Pop 28,500
Stephens County
Pop 27,854
Places similar to Ashe County
Head to head

Compare Ashe County to nearby counties

ASHE COUNTY VS
Watauga County
Income$51,693+20%
Home value$358,900+127%
Population54,786+99%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ASHE COUNTY VS
Johnson County
Income$53,129+23%
Home value$178,600+13%
Population18,718−32%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ASHE COUNTY VS
Alleghany County
Income$47,172+10%
Home value$214,800+36%
Population11,479−58%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ASHE COUNTY VS
Grayson County
Income$47,730+11%
Home value$150,100−5%
Population15,230−45%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ashe County, North Carolina?

Ashe County, North Carolina has about 26,577 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ashe County, North Carolina?

The typical household in Ashe County, North Carolina earns about $43,030 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ashe County, North Carolina expensive?

In Ashe County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $158,200, and the typical rent is about $657 a month.

How educated are people in Ashe County, North Carolina?

About 20.0% of adults age 25 and over in Ashe County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ashe County, North Carolina?

About 14.8% of people in Ashe County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ashe County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Ashe County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,368 residents, a change of about 20 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

9 census tracts
Census Tract 9704Census Tract 9707.01Census Tract 9705.01Census Tract 9705.02Census Tract 9702Census Tract 9703Census Tract 9707.02Census Tract 9708.02Census Tract 9708.01
11 ZIP codes
ZIP 28694ZIP 28640ZIP 28643ZIP 28626ZIP 28684ZIP 28615ZIP 28617ZIP 28693ZIP 28631ZIP 28672ZIP 28629
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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