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COUNTY · 2010 ACS

Avery County

North Carolina · 17,797 residents · 247.338 sq mi
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The short version

Avery County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $34,918. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $155,100. With a median age of 42.3, the population is older than the US median of 37.2.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 42.3
US median: 37.2
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 55%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,797
+4%since 2000
from 17,167 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
72 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 69 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
42.3
+10%since 2000
from 38.4 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
15K15K16K17K18K1990201020202024Avery County
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$34,918
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,627 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,465
+55%since 2000
from $15,176 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
18.7%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 20.3% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
18.1%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 15.3% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.529
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information13.4%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade11.7%
US avg: 7.2%
Retail trade9%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance3.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Construction3.3%
US avg: 1.4%
Professional, scientific, technical3%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 3.1%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.9%
Manufacturing0.6%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 2.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$155,100
+55%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $78,900 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$677
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $430 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
35.2%
−45.4 ptssince 2000
from 80.6% in 2000
23.5% rent
Vacancy rate
47.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
31.0%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 22.7% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.6%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 42.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
4.4
+72%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Avery County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93%(15,957)
Black3.5%(598)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(413)
Asian0.2%(33)
Other0%
Diversity Score14.7%(2,515)
2010
White, non-Hispanic90.1%(16,029)
Black4%(706)
Hispanic / Latino4.5%(797)
Asian0.3%(56)
Other7.5%(1,337)
Diversity Score34.3%(6,107)
Diversity Score
34
+134%since 2000
from 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.3%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 14.5% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
81.3%
+10.8 ptssince 2000
from 70.6% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
6.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.3 min
+50%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
75.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 74.4% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
17.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
8.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
17.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
27.8%
−33.2 ptssince 2009
from 61.0% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.8%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 54.1% in 2009
Female
46.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.9% in 2009
Foreign born
3.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
10.6%
−44.1 ptssince 2009
from 54.8% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Avery County

Henry County
Pop 18,394
Jasper County
Pop 17,632
Jefferson County
Pop 16,007
Gulf County
Pop 15,943
Places similar to Avery County
Head to head

Compare Avery County to nearby counties

AVERY COUNTY VS
Mitchell County
Income$57,602+65%
Home value$220,100+42%
Population15,062−17%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AVERY COUNTY VS
Watauga County
Income$51,693+48%
Home value$358,900+131%
Population54,786+203%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AVERY COUNTY VS
Carter County
Income$50,135+44%
Home value$168,200+8%
Population57,361+217%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AVERY COUNTY VS
Caldwell County
Income$56,425+62%
Home value$192,200+24%
Population81,105+348%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Avery County, North Carolina?

Avery County, North Carolina has about 17,797 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Avery County, North Carolina earns about $34,918 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Avery County, North Carolina expensive?

In Avery County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $155,100, and the typical rent is about $677 a month.

How educated are people in Avery County, North Carolina?

About 20.3% of adults age 25 and over in Avery County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 18.1% of people in Avery County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Avery County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Avery County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,930 residents, a change of about 20 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

5 census tracts
Census Tract 9304Census Tract 9301Census Tract 9303.01Census Tract 9302Census Tract 9303.02
8 ZIP codes
ZIP 28657ZIP 28622ZIP 28646ZIP 28652ZIP 28616ZIP 28664ZIP 28653ZIP 28662
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →