City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Swannanoa, NC

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

6,043
Residents
$72,978
Median income
$270,800
Median home
$1,567
Median rent (state)

Swannanoa - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Swannanoa lands in the 54th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

54th
percentile, household income
60th
percentile, home value
62nd
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Swannanoa, NC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 6,043 residents in Swannanoa, a small town within North Carolina. The typical household in Swannanoa brings in $72,978 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.8%. Swannanoa's housing stock carries a median value of $270,800, and the median resident age is 32.9 years. 30.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 50.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 51.4°F with 53.0 inches of precipitation per year and 28.5 inches of snowfall.

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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,567 per month. 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 89.3 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

6,043 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$72,978 /yr

Poverty 11.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Swannanoa compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 54% higher than other cities
Home value 60% pricier than other cities
Median rent 62% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Swannanoa against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to North Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

North Carolina-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Swannanoa toward the top of North Carolina's cities

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Swannanoa ranks #114 - the 80th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Swannanoa only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#214 of 700
69th percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#114 of 746
80th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#198 of 708
72nd percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#317 of 746
57th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#224 of 746
70th percentile in North Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within North Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

54thIncome percentile

54th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Swannanoa's home value compares nationally

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

$270,800 40th percentile more affordable than 40% 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%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Swannanoa $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 - Swannanoa, NC Swannanoa, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Swannanoa, 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 Swannanoa, NC median $72,978/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%
Swannanoa, 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 Swannanoa, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 30.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.2%

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

Population
6,043
Median Income
$72,978
Median Home Value
$270,800
Median Age
32.9
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Labor force participation
50.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
30.8%

Climate

Avg Temperature
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
53.0"
Annual Snowfall
28.5"

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.3%
Carpool
0.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
4.6%
Work from Home
11.3%

Based on 2,257 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 Swannanoa sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,567/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
89.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Dallas
6,012 people
Briar Chapel
6,084 people
Mocksville
6,001 people
Hamlet
6,000 people
Stokesdale
5,943 people
Barbecue
5,933 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Swannanoa's 6,043 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Kingston, TN
6,042 people
Moores Mill, AL
6,041 people
Vandalia, IL
6,041 people
Happy Valley, CA
6,046 people
Beardstown, IL
6,047 people
Gardiner, ME
6,047 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Swannanoa's $72,978 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Avon, NY
$72,976 median income
South Coatesville, PA
$72,976 median income
Windsor, NY
$72,981 median income
St. George, MO
$72,974 median income
West Union, IL
$72,969 median income
Butler, OK
$72,969 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Swannanoa, 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 Swannanoa, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.7% 16.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.6% White 82.7% Black or African American 0.7% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 16.2% 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 Swannanoa 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
Swannanoa (this city) 6,043 $72,978
Dallas 6,012 $57,755
Briar Chapel 6,084 $154,583
Mocksville 6,001 $55,544
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Swannanoa, NC?

What is the population of Swannanoa, NC? +

Swannanoa, NC has a population of 6,043 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Swannanoa, NC? +

Swannanoa households earn a median of $72,978 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Swannanoa? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Swannanoa; 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.

What is the median home value in Swannanoa, NC? +

The median home value in Swannanoa is $270,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Swannanoa? +

Swannanoa has an average annual temperature of 51.4°F, 53.0 inches of precipitation, and 28.5 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.