Transylvania County is a county of 33,691 people in North Carolina. The median age is 51.6, about 13 years above the US median. The foreign-born share is 4%. 75% of homes are owner-occupied. Median rent is $967 a month. Growth has run 15% since 2000, or 4,357 more people.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $66,184, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 51.6
US median: 38.9
More educated
40% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 92%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Transylvania County
What changed most since 1990
Median age38.4 → 51.6(+13.2 years)US over the same years: +6.0 years
White share94.1% → 87.6%(−6.5 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Median home value (2024 dollars)$174,245 → $373,600(+114%)US over the same years: +67%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)9.5%(265)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)20.1%(559)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era51.7%(1,441)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War6.9%(193)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II3.5%(98)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 2,785 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Transylvania County, decade by decade
Transylvania County population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
25,520
$60,431
$174,245
17.9%
14.1
2000
29,334
$70,292
$194,735
23.7%
16.4
2010
33,090
$56,691
$243,982
27.0%
21.6
2020
32,986
$62,431
$280,345
33.8%
30.9
2024
33,691
$66,184
$373,600
40.0%
28.4
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in Transylvania County, North Carolina?
Transylvania County, North Carolina has about 33,691 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Transylvania County, North Carolina?
The typical household in Transylvania County, North Carolina earns about $66,184 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Transylvania County, North Carolina expensive?
In Transylvania County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $373,600, and the typical rent is about $967 a month.
How educated are people in Transylvania County, North Carolina?
About 40.0% of adults age 25 and over in Transylvania County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Transylvania County, North Carolina?
About 13.2% of people in Transylvania County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.
Has Transylvania County, North Carolina grown since 1990?
Yes, Transylvania County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 8,171 residents, a change of about 32 percent over that period.
