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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Watauga County

North Carolina · 42,695 residents · 312.44 sq mi
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The short version

Watauga County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $32,611. Population has grown 16% since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $128,200. At a median age of 29.9, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, well above the US average, yet household income trails the national figure — a profile common to graduate-student tracts and academic hubs.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 29.9
US median: 35.2
More educated
33% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 35%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

42,695
+16%since 1990
from 36,952 in 1990
1990 – 2025
137 / sq mi
+16%since 1990
from 118 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
29.9
+7%since 1990
from 28.0 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
35K41K46K51K57K1990201020202024Watauga County
202455K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$32,611
+22%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $20,252 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$17,258
+62%since 1990
from $10,628 in 1990
US average: $21,522
17.9%
−3.6 ptssince 1990
from 21.5% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$128,200
+35%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $72,200 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$548
+11%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $374 in 1990
US average: $602
62.9%
−1.3 ptssince 1990
from 64.2% in 1990
37.1% rent
3.9
+10%since 1990
from 3.6 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Watauga County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic97.2%(35,932)
Black2.1%(789)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(281)
Asian0.4%(142)
Diversity Score8.5%(3,147)
2000
White, non-Hispanic95.4%(40,744)
Black1.6%(673)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(622)
Asian0.6%(251)
Diversity Score8.9%(3,804)
9
+5%since 1990
from 9 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

33.2%
+5.9 ptssince 1990
from 27.4% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
81.6%
+9.6 ptssince 1990
from 72.0% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
14.5%
+2.5 ptssince 1990
from 12.0% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

13.4 min
−29%since 1990
from 18.9 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Watauga County, North Carolina?

Watauga County, North Carolina has about 42,695 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Watauga County, North Carolina earns about $32,611 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Watauga County, North Carolina expensive?

In Watauga County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $128,200, and the typical rent is about $548 a month.

How educated are people in Watauga County, North Carolina?

About 33.2% of adults age 25 and over in Watauga County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 17.9% of people in Watauga County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Watauga County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Watauga County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,743 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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