County · North Carolina
Ashe County, North Carolina
Ashe County, North Carolina. Ashe County had 27,514 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.5% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 3 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 37009.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
27,514
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 26,577 · ACS 2020-2024: 26,950
Median household income
$56,866
±$4,577 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$243,100
±$17,299 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$859
±$59 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Ashe County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 26,577 residents in Ashe County. The Census Bureau estimates 27,514 for July 1, 2025, up 3.5% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 26,950 over 426 square miles of land.
| Measure | Ashe County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 26,950 | 10,730,404 | +87 |
| Households | 12,201±470 | 4,282,345 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.17±0.08 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 17,218±32 | 4,895,668 | −520 |
Ashe County's population since 2000
From 24,384 in 2000 to 27,514 in 2025: up 12.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Ashe County?
Ashe County holds 3 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Jefferson with 1,680 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Jefferson | 1,622 | $40,590 |
|---|---|---|
| West Jefferson | 1,279 | $46,827 |
| LansingGEOID 3736960 | 126 | $48,750 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Ashe County?
The median resident of Ashe County is 49.8 years old; 16.9% are under 18 and 27.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.0%. 2.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ashe County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.8±0.3 | 39.1 | +1.5 |
| Under 18 years | 16.9%±0.2 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 27.2%±0.3 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.0% | 11.3% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.8%±0.3 pts | 60.0% | −1.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 20.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.4%±0.4 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.8%±0.7 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.9%±1.0 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.6%±0.9 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 20.0%±1.8 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.8%±1.9 pts | 9.9% | −2.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.7%±1.6 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.9%±3.1 pts | 35.7% | +6.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.4%±1.4 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 Ashe County earn?
Half of Ashe County's 12,201 households earn less than $56,866 a year (±$4,577), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $50,412 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,454 after inflation. 13.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ashe County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,866±$4,577 | $72,388 | +$6,454 |
| Mean household income | $73,848±$4,263 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,675±$1,956 | $41,385 | +$3,137 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.5%±2.2 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.9%±6.1 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.0%±2.4 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.2%±2.2 pts | 90.1% | – |
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 Ashe County?
Owners occupy 79.4% of Ashe County's occupied homes and renters 20.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $243,100 by its owner (±$17,299). The median renter pays $859 a month including utilities, and 33.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ashe County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $243,100±$17,299 | $288,900 | +$54,558 |
| Median gross rent | $859±$59 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.8%±8.4 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,337±$61 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.4%±2.9 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 17,218±32 | 4,895,668 | −520 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.9 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.7 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.6%±2.1 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 16.3%±2.1 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.2%±1.5 pts | 4.9% | – |
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 many new homes is Ashe County building?
Builders took permits for 195 new housing units across Ashe County in 2025 (193 single-family), 7.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Ashe County get to work?
79.3% of Ashe County's workers drive alone and 9.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Ashe County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.7%±2.0 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8%±1.8 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.3%±2.7 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.0%±2.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.4%±0.8 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.0%±1.9 pts | 16.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.3 min±1.7 | 25.1 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 are Ashe County's census tracts?
Ashe County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $46,156 (Tract 9702) to $72,315 (Tract 9707.02).
| Tract 970237009970200 | 2,550±483 | $46,156 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970337009970300 | 2,488±366 | $50,403 |
| Tract 970437009970400 | 4,739±521 | $60,334 |
| Tract 9705.0137009970501 | 3,217±459 | $68,611 |
| Tract 9705.0237009970502 | 3,044±570 | $50,543 |
| Tract 9707.0137009970701 | 3,829±527 | $67,878 |
| Tract 9707.0237009970702 | 2,480±337 | $72,315 |
| Tract 9708.0137009970801 | 2,239±385 | $68,287 |
| Tract 9708.0237009970802 | 2,364±507 | $55,296 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Ashe County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 73rd of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 56th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 74th of 100 |
| Median household income | 67th of 100 |
| Median home value | 37th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 60th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 57th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 41st of 100 |
| Median age | 11th of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Ashe County 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.