CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Yancey County

North Carolina · 18,470 residents · 312.592 sq mi
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The short version

Yancey County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $44,554. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% 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 $166,900. With a median age of 48.3, 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 48.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 36%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
18,470
+4%since 2000
from 17,774 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
59 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 57 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
48.3
+15%since 2000
from 41.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
15K16K17K18K19K1990201020202024Yancey County
202419K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,554
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,674 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,767
+58%since 2000
from $16,335 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.8%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 15.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade17%
US avg: 10%
Information12.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade9.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction1.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$166,900
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $81,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$642
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $371 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
76.5%
−3.7 ptssince 2000
from 80.2% in 2000
23.5% rent
Afford Score
3.7
+37%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Yancey County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.8%(17,033)
Black0.6%(101)
Hispanic / Latino2.7%(478)
Asian0.1%(22)
Other0%
Diversity Score8.3%(1,472)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic90%(16,625)
Black0.6%(104)
Hispanic / Latino5.5%(1,016)
Asian0.2%(40)
Other1.5%(269)
Diversity Score18.6%(3,430)
Segregation Score17%(3,132)
Diversity Score
19
+124%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
17
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.3%
+7.2 ptssince 2000
from 13.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.6%
+15.5 ptssince 2000
from 71.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.3%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.6 min
+43%since 2000
from 20.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.7%
+7.9 ptssince 2009
from 74.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.3%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.4%
−1.5 ptssince 2011
from 8.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.1%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 55.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.6%
−22.4 ptssince 2009
from 54.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Female
50.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Foreign born
2.7%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.5%
−69.5 ptssince 2013
from 82.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Yancey County

Brantley County
Pop 18,936
Worth County
Pop 20,059
Elbert County
Pop 20,072
Henry County
Pop 18,394
Places similar to Yancey County
Head to head

Compare Yancey County to nearby counties

YANCEY COUNTY VS
Mitchell County
Income$57,602+29%
Home value$220,100+32%
Population15,062−21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
YANCEY COUNTY VS
Unicoi County
Income$52,218+17%
Home value$189,600+14%
Population17,856−6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
YANCEY COUNTY VS
McDowell County
Income$57,168+28%
Home value$171,100+3%
Population45,198+137%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
YANCEY COUNTY VS
Madison County
Income$58,531+31%
Home value$284,600+71%
Population22,553+18%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Yancey County, North Carolina?

Yancey County, North Carolina has about 18,470 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Yancey County, North Carolina earns about $44,554 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Yancey County, North Carolina expensive?

In Yancey County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $166,900, and the typical rent is about $642 a month.

How educated are people in Yancey County, North Carolina?

About 20.3% of adults age 25 and over in Yancey County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 14.7% of people in Yancey County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Yancey County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Yancey County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,051 residents, a change of about 20 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

5 census tracts
Census Tract 9604Census Tract 9602Census Tract 9601.01Census Tract 9603Census Tract 9601.02
3 ZIP codes
ZIP 28714ZIP 28740ZIP 28755
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →