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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Swain County

North Carolina · 14,117 residents · 527.726 sq mi
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The short version

Swain County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $45,554. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 21% 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 $149,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% 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
14,117
+9%since 2000
from 12,968 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
27 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 25 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.0
+11%since 2000
from 38.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
11K12K13K14K15K1990201020202024Swain County
202414K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,554
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,608 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,234
+65%since 2000
from $14,647 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
29.2%
+11.2 ptssince 2009
from 18.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
17.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 18.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Wholesale trade8.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Information6.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services4.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade3.1%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance2%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$149,300
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$616
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $384 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
72.3%
−4.5 ptssince 2000
from 76.8% in 2000
27.7% rent
Afford Score
3.3
+17%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Swain County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic65.9%(8,544)
Black1.7%(214)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(191)
Asian0.2%(20)
Other0%
Diversity Score11.4%(1,483)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic60.5%(8,541)
Black0.7%(102)
Hispanic / Latino4.2%(592)
Asian0.4%(53)
Other31.7%(4,477)
Diversity Score63.4%(8,952)
Segregation Score57.9%(8,174)
Diversity Score
63
+454%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
58
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.6%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.3%
+12.8 ptssince 2000
from 70.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.1%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.0 min
+42%since 2000
from 13.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.2%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 87.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.1%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 9.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
55.4%
+1.6 ptssince 2011
from 53.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.2%
−33.1 ptssince 2009
from 63.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.3%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
51.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
2.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
22.3%
−50.8 ptssince 2013
from 73.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Swain County

Clay County
Pop 14,052
Las Animas County
Pop 14,391
Screven County
Pop 14,408
Jefferson County
Pop 15,011
Places similar to Swain County
Head to head

Compare Swain County to nearby counties

SWAIN COUNTY VS
Sevier County
Income$62,581+37%
Home value$299,000+100%
Population101,342+623%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SWAIN COUNTY VS
Graham County
Income$49,684+9%
Home value$170,600+14%
Population8,190−42%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SWAIN COUNTY VS
Blount County
Income$77,365+70%
Home value$320,500+115%
Population143,820+926%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SWAIN COUNTY VS
Haywood County
Income$61,912+36%
Home value$279,200+87%
Population63,369+352%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Swain County, North Carolina?

Swain County, North Carolina has about 14,117 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Swain County, North Carolina earns about $45,554 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Swain County, North Carolina expensive?

In Swain County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $149,300, and the typical rent is about $616 a month.

How educated are people in Swain County, North Carolina?

About 20.6% of adults age 25 and over in Swain County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 17.0% of people in Swain County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Swain County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Swain County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,849 residents, a change of about 25 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

5 census tracts
Census Tract 9401Census Tract 9603.01Census Tract 9602Census Tract 9603.02Census Tract 9802
2 ZIP codes
ZIP 28713ZIP 28719
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →