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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Avery County

North Carolina · 17,806 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 $42,695. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $151,800. With a median age of 47.0, 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 47.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,806
+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: 280
Median age
47.0
+22%since 2000
from 38.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
15K15K16K17K18K1990201020202024Avery County
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,695
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,627 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,036
+58%since 2000
from $15,176 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
24.9%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 20.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
13.1%
−2.1 ptssince 2000
from 15.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information10.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade9%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade6.1%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction5.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$151,800
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $78,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$759
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $430 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
77.1%
−3.5 ptssince 2000
from 80.6% in 2000
22.9% rent
Afford Score
3.6
+38%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)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic87.3%(15,549)
Black3.6%(649)
Hispanic / Latino5.5%(987)
Asian0.3%(56)
Other1.7%(305)
Diversity Score26.2%(4,670)
Segregation Score30.2%(5,372)
Diversity Score
26
+79%since 2000
from 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
30
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.7%
+9.2 ptssince 2000
from 14.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
85.7%
+15.2 ptssince 2000
from 70.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.0%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.7 min
+27%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.5%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 74.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.8%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2011
from 6.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
45.4%
−6.5 ptssince 2011
from 51.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.4%
−29.6 ptssince 2009
from 61.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.0%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 54.1% in 2009
Female
45.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.9% in 2009
Foreign born
3.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
14.7%
−65.0 ptssince 2013
from 79.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+35%
Home value$220,100+45%
Population15,062−17%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AVERY COUNTY VS
Watauga County
Income$51,693+21%
Home value$358,900+136%
Population54,786+203%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AVERY COUNTY VS
Carter County
Income$50,135+17%
Home value$168,200+11%
Population57,361+217%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AVERY COUNTY VS
Caldwell County
Income$56,425+32%
Home value$192,200+27%
Population81,105+348%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Avery County, North Carolina?

Avery County, North Carolina has about 17,806 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Avery County, North Carolina earns about $42,695 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 $151,800, and the typical rent is about $759 a month.

How educated are people in Avery County, North Carolina?

About 23.7% 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 13.1% 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 2,939 residents, a change of about 20 percent over that period.

Keep going

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

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