Census-designated place · North Carolina
Cherokee, North Carolina
Cherokee, census-designated place, mostly in Jackson County (53.1% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Swain County, North Carolina. Cherokee had 2,195 residents in the 2020 Census, a full count; the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 2,059 (±472). GEOID 3712140.
Residents, 2020 Census
2,195
Census count or controlled total
ACS 2020-2024 estimate: 2,059 ±472
Median household income
$55,972
±$23,565 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$189,900
±$80,745 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,075
±$369 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Cherokee and what county is it in?
Cherokee is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, mostly in Jackson County (53.1% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Swain County, North Carolina. It covers 12.1 square miles of land, 182 residents per square mile in 2020.
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | 1,166 | 53.1% |
| Swain County | 1,029 | 46.9% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Cherokee, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 2,195 residents in Cherokee, a full count rather than a sample. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a sample, estimates 2,059 (±472).
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; Cherokee is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | Cherokee | Jackson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,059 ±472 | 43,771 | no clear change |
| Households | 937 ±224 | 18,430 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.17 ±0.31 | 2.16 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,093 ±224 | 27,803 | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Cherokee?
The median resident of Cherokee is 33.3 years old; 23.2% are under 18 and 10.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 70.3%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 9.9%.
| Measure | Cherokee | Jackson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.3 ±4.3 | 38.1 | −12.2 |
| Under 18 years | 23.2% ±5.4 pts | 16.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 10.6% ±5.7 pts | 20.2% | – |
| Male | 47.8% ±6.2 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1% ±3.1 pts | 8.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 9.9% ±5.0 pts | 78.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.9% ±2.7 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.8% ±4.6 pts | 1.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 70.3% ±9.0 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 1.7% ±2.8 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.4% ±5.5 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.0 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.7% ±3.3 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 16.0% ±8.6 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 14.1% ±7.9 pts | 8.0% | – |
| With a disability | 9.6% ±4.4 pts | 14.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 44.0% ±9.7 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.8% ±6.2 pts | 90.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.5% ±10.0 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.4% ±8.1 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.9% ±7.9 pts | 83.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.2% ±4.9 pts | 3.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Cherokee earn?
Half of Cherokee's 937 households earn less than $55,972 a year (±$23,565), against $55,815 in Jackson County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $50,436 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 21.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cherokee | Jackson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $55,972 ±$23,565 | $55,815 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $61,382 ±$10,449 | $80,171 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,514 ±$4,777 | $33,850 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 21.3% ±8.9 pts | 18.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.4% ±14.7 pts | 22.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.3% ±5.8 pts | 12.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.5% ±5.5 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 78.2% ±10.7 pts | 78.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Cherokee?
Owners occupy 62.6% of Cherokee's occupied homes and renters 37.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $189,900 by its owner (±$80,745). The median renter pays $1,075 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Cherokee | Jackson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $189,900 ±$80,745 | $284,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,075 ±$369 | $904 | +$442 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 0.0% ±15.2 pts | 33.5% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,094 ±$433 | $1,403 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.6% ±10.6 pts | 60.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 37.4% ±10.6 pts | 39.2% | – |
| Housing units | 1,093 ±224 | 27,803 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±7.0 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.5% ±7.3 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 58.1% ±9.9 pts | 70.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 26.8% ±8.7 pts | 15.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.4% ±3.0 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.6% ±8.1 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.0% ±2.0 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.9% ±5.8 pts | 3.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Cherokee work and get to work?
92.3% of Cherokee's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 11.1 minutes.
| Measure | Cherokee | Jackson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.9% ±11.1 pts | 55.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.6% ±2.0 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 92.3% ±5.3 pts | 79.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 1.6% ±2.7 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±4.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 5.2% ±4.6 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 0.0% ±4.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 11.1 min ±2.3 | 20.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Cherokee?
No census tract lies mostly in Cherokee; 2 tracts reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9401Swain County | 4,505 | $63,253 |
| Tract 9402Jackson County | 5,548 | $51,146 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Cherokee) · Census block assignment files
How does Cherokee compare with other places in North Carolina?
Cherokee ranks 269th of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 335th | 443 |
| Residents per square mile | 430th | 443 |
| Median household income | 269th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 291st | 443 |
| Median home value | 314th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 172nd | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 104th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 240th | 421 |
| Median age | 401st | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 261st | 443 |
| Travel time to work | 439th | 439 |
Cherokee's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Cherokee with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Cherokee?
20 of the 57 figures for Cherokee on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Cherokee are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.