City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Bryson City, NC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Bryson City - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,676
Residents
$43,387
Median income
$246,700
Median home
$925
Median rent (state)

Bryson City - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Bryson City lands in the 11th percentile for household income and the 29th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

11th
percentile, household income
55th
percentile, home value
7th
percentile, median rent
29th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Bryson City, NC

Bryson City is a small town in North Carolina, home to 1,676 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Bryson City brings in $43,387 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 8.8%. Bryson City's housing stock carries a median value of $246,700, and the median resident age is 40.2 years. 30.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 54.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2140.5 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Bryson City's yearly average temperature at 55.8°F with 58.6 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, North Carolina scores 94.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $925 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in North Carolina run around $215, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 49.1 out of 100 (Low).

Population

1,676 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$43,387 /yr

Poverty 8.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Bryson City compare to other US cities?

Bryson City measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 11% higher than other cities
Home value 55% pricier than other cities
Median rent 7% pricier than other cities
Safety 29% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just North Carolina and the picture shifts: Bryson City ranks #81 of 195 North Carolina cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Bryson City's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in North Carolina, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

11thIncome percentile
29thSafety percentile

11th percentile nationally for median household income · 29th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bryson City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bryson City's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 36 Avg. percentile National median
Bryson City's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Bryson City's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$246,700 45th percentile more affordable than 45% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Bryson City $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Bryson City, NC Bryson City, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bryson City, NC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Bryson City, NC median $43,387/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Bryson City, NC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Bryson City, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 30.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,676
Median Income
$43,387
Median Home Value
$246,700
Median Age
40.2
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Labor force participation
54.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
30.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2140.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
602.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1538.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
55.8°F
Annual Precipitation
58.6"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,500 residents1,520 residents1,540 residents1,560 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,546 residents 1,525 residents ▼ -1.4%
Bryson City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.1%
Carpool
7.2%
Public Transit
1.9%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
1.5%
Other
7.5%

Based on 746 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Bryson City sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$925/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
49.1 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Walnut Creek
1,684 people
Lake Waccamaw
1,666 people
Horse Shoe
1,699 people
Hertford
1,703 people
Atlantic Beach
1,705 people
Plain View
1,647 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bryson City's 1,676 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bremen, OH
1,676 people
Hughes Springs, TX
1,676 people
Mikes, TX
1,676 people
Captains Cove, VA
1,676 people
Stevenson, WA
1,676 people
Flomaton, AL
1,675 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bryson City's $43,387 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

White Sulphur Springs, WV
$43,388 median income
Westfield, NY
$43,385 median income
Napier Field, AL
$43,393 median income
Sun River Terrace, IL
$43,393 median income
Muncie, IN
$43,395 median income
Hazleton, PA
$43,379 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bryson City, NC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Bryson City, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 74.0% 17.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.3% White 74.0% Black or African American 2.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 17.1% Native Hawaiian 0.6% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 5.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Bryson City compares to nearby North Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Bryson City (this city) 1,676 $43,387
Walnut Creek 1,684 $145,417
Lake Waccamaw 1,666 $79,844
Horse Shoe 1,699 $67,703
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bryson City, NC?

What is the population of Bryson City, NC? +

The population of Bryson City, NC stands at 1,676 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Bryson City, NC? +

The median household income in Bryson City is $43,387 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bryson City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bryson City; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

Is Bryson City, NC safe? +

Bryson City has a total crime rate of 2140.5 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Bryson City, NC? +

Homes in Bryson City carry a median value of $246,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Bryson City? +

Climate normals put Bryson City's yearly average temperature at 55.8°F, 58.6 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.