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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Cherokee County

North Carolina · 28,774 residents · 455.54 sq mi
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The short version

Cherokee County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $40,793. Population has grown 18% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $163,900. With a median age of 53.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 28% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 53.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 44%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
28,774
+18%since 2000
from 24,298 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
63 / sq mi
+18%since 2000
from 53 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
53.1
+21%since 2000
from 44.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
19K22K25K28K31K1990201020202024Cherokee County
202430K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,793
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,992 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,024
+52%since 2000
from $15,814 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
24.0%
+7.7 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
17.8%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 15.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information15.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade12.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade9%
US avg: 10%
Other services5.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance2.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration2.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$163,900
+44%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $75,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$713
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $350 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
80.3%
−1.9 ptssince 2000
from 82.2% in 2000
19.7% rent
Afford Score
4.0
+49%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cherokee County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.1%(22,875)
Black1.6%(382)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(303)
Asian0.3%(68)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.8%(1,892)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic88.2%(25,366)
Black1.3%(373)
Hispanic / Latino3.1%(899)
Asian0.5%(158)
Other3.8%(1,101)
Diversity Score21.3%(6,129)
Segregation Score28%(8,060)
Diversity Score
21
+174%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
28
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.9%
+10.8 ptssince 2000
from 11.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.8%
+15.5 ptssince 2000
from 73.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.6%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 3.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.7 min
+74%since 2000
from 15.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.7%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 85.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.6%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.9%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 7.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
48.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2011
from 50.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
29.1%
−28.6 ptssince 2009
from 57.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
51.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
2.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
15.5%
−64.2 ptssince 2013
from 79.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Cherokee County

Decatur County
Pop 29,432
Wayne County
Pop 32,481
Franklin County
Pop 32,449
Carroll County
Pop 29,263
Places similar to Cherokee County
Head to head

Compare Cherokee County to nearby counties

CHEROKEE COUNTY VS
Clay County
Income$56,971+40%
Home value$278,400+70%
Population12,239−60%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHEROKEE COUNTY VS
Graham County
Income$49,684+22%
Home value$170,600+4%
Population8,190−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHEROKEE COUNTY VS
Union County
Income$66,176+62%
Home value$307,400+88%
Population27,859−10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHEROKEE COUNTY VS
Fannin County
Income$57,073+40%
Home value$306,600+87%
Population26,111−15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cherokee County, North Carolina?

Cherokee County, North Carolina has about 28,774 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Cherokee County, North Carolina earns about $40,793 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cherokee County, North Carolina expensive?

In Cherokee County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $163,900, and the typical rent is about $713 a month.

How educated are people in Cherokee County, North Carolina?

About 21.9% of adults age 25 and over in Cherokee County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 17.8% of people in Cherokee County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cherokee County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Cherokee County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 8,604 residents, a change of about 43 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

12 census tracts
Census Tract 9304.01Census Tract 9305.02Census Tract 9306.06Census Tract 9303Census Tract 9301.01Census Tract 9302Census Tract 9306.05Census Tract 9301.02Census Tract 9305.01Census Tract 9306.04Census Tract 9306.03Census Tract 9304.02
3 ZIP codes
ZIP 28906ZIP 28901ZIP 28905
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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